Crispy Air-Fried Fish is a tasty and healthy alternative to the battered, deep-fried variety!
Being born and raised in Wisconsin, Friday night fish fries are in my blood. Everyone, from pubs, Chinese restaurants, and French bistros, serves fish on Fridays, each with their own flavorful flair. Heck, even the Catholic church down the road from my house turns into a makeshift eatery, frying beer-battered cod and the best potato pancakes I’ve ever tasted. I will never stop enjoying a plate of greasy fried fish. That said, I have to temper my cravings, which is why I like this crispy air-fried fish recipe.
Deep-frying isn’t the healthiest option, and it certainly is messy. My wife can’t stand it when our beautiful kitchen tile is splattered in grease like a 1950s roadside diner—it’s one of the many reasons why I purchased an air fryer. This practically magical kitchen appliance has reshaped how I cook, satisfying my craving for fried food. My air fryer delivers that similar golden crunch and flaky goodness I love in my Friday fish fry, minus the mess and excess oil.
Of course, I have to do some “cheating” since I’m not dipping the batter in a vat of boiling oil. My secret? Panko breadcrumbs. They get so wonderfully crisp in my air fryer. I also like to up the seasoning with a mix of paprika, onion powder, and fresh dill. I also add a tart zing with the lemon zest, which complements the yogurt-based dip.
I’m not going to lie and say this air-fried take on the standard fish fry tastes the same. But I will say that it’s just as delicious and so much healthier. Give it a try!
Is Crispy Air-Fried Fish Healthy?
This air-fried fish is much lower in fat compared to traditional fried fish. You only use a spritz of cooking spray instead of a deep vat of oil! Plus, cod is naturally lean and high in protein. While you typically serve tartar sauce with fried fish, this recipe calls for a Greek yogurt-based dip. That means you’re getting a small dose of probiotics, protein, and tangy flavor without all the calories of mayonnaise-based sauces.
The Best Fish for Fried Fish
If cod isn’t your favorite, or you’re craving some variety, plenty of alternatives fit the bill. Haddock, my personal go-to, is the closest in flavor and texture. For something heartier, mahi mahi offers a firmer, meatier bite—it’s fantastic blackened, too!
On the budget-friendly side, tilapia, pollock, and catfish are affordable options that don’t skimp on flavor. Perch and whitefish are moderately priced, with their mild, flaky appeal making them ideal for frying. If you’re in the mood to splurge, halibut and sea bass deliver rich flavors and steak-like firmness, though they come at a higher price point. No matter your choice, any of these fish are lean, protein-packed, and ready to crisp nicely in your air fryer!
How to Make Ahead and Store
If you want to prep ahead, you can! Bread the fish and store it in a single layer on a baking sheet in the fridge for up to 1 day. Once cooked, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Also, I recommend reheating the fish in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes to regain crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
For this recipe, I like to stick with fish fry favorites but with a healthy twist. I’ll pair it with baked Homemade French Fries In The Air Fryer or Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries In The Oven. I also can’t enjoy my fish without a side of this coleslaw—FFF even has a low-calorie vinegar-based slaw! For something more sophisticated, Roasted Potatoes And Asparagus will complement your fish wonderfully.
Recipe
Ingredients
For the fish:
- 1 pound cod sliced into 4 pieces about 3/4-inch thick
- Sea salt
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour (or regular all-purpose flour)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup gluten-free panko (or regular panko)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest packed
For the yogurt dip:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt nonfat, plain
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill minced
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, spraying the mesh basket with cooking spray.
- Pat the cod as dry as you can with a paper towel and season well with salt. Place the flour in a large, rimmed plate. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk them well. Then, place the panko and all the rest of the fish ingredients om a large rimmed plate and stir until mixed well.
- Coat one of the cod pieces with the flour and dip them into the egg mixture. Make sure the fish is coated in the egg, but not dripping. Coat it evenly with the panko and place into the air fryer basket. Repeat with all the pieces, leaving a little bit of space between them in the basket. You may need to two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Spray the tops with cooking spray (I used an olive oil spray) and cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Gently flip and cook another 8-10 minutes. Finally, if the underside of your fish has lost some crisp, you can flip it once more and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
- While the fish cooks, stir all the dip ingredients together and season to taste with salt.
- Serve the fish with the dip immediately and DEVOUR!
Thanks for the recipe.
You are welcome James!
I guess it’s time for me to add another small appliance to my kitchen! 😄 I see you were nice enough to provide a link to some recommendations. It takes me to a number of air fryers to choose from on Amazon. Is there one in particular you recommend or can you tell me which one you use?
Thank you! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hi Amy, I am sure you will LOVE your air fryer, I use mine several times a week! These are my two favorites:
– Good entry level: https://amzn.to/3DokQCP
– A bit more pricey but overall quality: https://amzn.to/3Y9ETN9
And I put together a list of kitchen essentials in case useful: https://www.foodfaithfitness.com/kitchen-essentials/