Air Fryer Crispy Fish Fillets
Golden breaded fish fillets, crisp without the deep fryer.
Before You Start
Crisp, golden fish fillets with none of the deep-frying mess. Pat the fish really dry so the panko crust sticks and crunches, and hold off flipping until the coating has set. Serve with lemon and tartare, or tuck it into a bun with slaw.
Instructions
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1
Pat the fish dry and season with salt, pepper and paprika.
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2
Set up flour, beaten egg and panko. Coat each fillet flour, egg, then crumb, pressing it on.
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3
Spray both sides well with oil.
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4
Air fry at 200°C / 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and the fish flakes.
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5
Serve with lemon wedges and tartare sauce.
Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
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♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Pat the fish really dry so the coating sticks and crisps.
- Do not flip too early. Let the crust set for the first few minutes or it can stick.
🔀 Make it your own
- Add lemon zest or dill to the crumb.
- Serve in a bun with slaw for a fish sandwich.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best fresh. Re-crisp leftovers at 190°C for 4 minutes.
❓ Frequently asked
Can I use frozen fish?
Thaw and pat it very dry first. Wet fish steams and the coating slides off.
How do I know the fish is cooked?
It turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork, usually 10 to 12 minutes for a standard fillet.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
