Fish & Seafood
Air Fryer Fish: Crispy 'Fried' Fish Fillets
Crispy air fryer fish fillets: breaded cod, tilapia or haddock at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, or plain seasoned fillets for 8–10 minutes, until 145°F.
Quick answer
Cook breaded fish fillets in the air fryer at 400°F205°C for 10–12 minutes, flipping gently halfway, until golden and the fish flakes easily (145°F63°C inside). Plain seasoned fillets without breading take 8–10 minutes and don't need flipping. Frozen breaded fillets take 12–15 minutes.
- Time
- 10–12 min (breaded)
- Flip
- Gently, halfway (breaded only)
- Done when
- Flakes easily; 145°F63°C
Crispy Air Fryer Fish Fillets air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaded white fish fillets, ¾ inch | 400°F205°C | 10–12 min | Spray with oil before cooking |
| Plain seasoned fillets (no breading) | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | No need to flip |
| Cod loins, 1 inch | 400°F205°C | 10–12 min | Thicker, so check the center |
| Tilapia fillets | 400°F205°C | 7–9 min | Thin and cooks fast |
| Beer-battered-style (flour, egg, panko) | 400°F205°C | 10–12 min | Wet batter won't work |
| Frozen breaded fish fillets | 400°F205°C | 12–15 min | Straight from frozen |
| Frozen plain fish fillets | 400°F205°C | 12–14 min | Brush with oil, season |
| Fish sticks, frozen | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | Flip halfway |
| Salmon fillets, 1 inch | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | Skin-side down |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
Air fryer fish gives you the crunch of a fish fry with none of the pot of hot oil. A simple three-step breading turns cod or haddock into golden, flaky fillets in about 12 minutes, ready for fish and chips, sandwiches or tacos.
How to cook fish in the air fryer
- Dry the fillets thoroughly. This is the most important step for crispy fish.
- Bread them: flour, then egg, then seasoned panko, pressed on firmly.
- Spray with oil. Panko needs a little oil to turn golden.
- Air fry at 400°F205°C for 10–12 minutes, flipping gently halfway.
- Check for flaking or 145°F63°C in the thickest part.
Choosing your fish
- Cod and haddock: the classic fish-and-chips choice, with thick, meaty flakes.
- Pollock: mild and affordable, and often used in fish sticks.
- Tilapia and flounder: thin and quick-cooking (7–9 minutes), so handle them gently.
- Salmon: skip the breading. See our air fryer salmon guide.
- Tuna steaks: sear them hot and fast. See air fryer tuna steak.
No-breading air fryer fish
For a lighter meal, brush fillets with olive oil or melted butter, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika (or lemon pepper), and air fry at 400°F205°C for 8–10 minutes. Finish with lemon juice and fresh herbs.
Cooking frozen fish
You can cook fish straight from frozen. Breaded frozen fillets go in at 400°F205°C for 12–15 minutes, flipped halfway. Plain frozen fillets take 12–14 minutes. Brush them with oil and season after the first 5 minutes, once the surface has thawed. Full details are in our guide to frozen fish in the air fryer.
Make it fish and chips
Cook homemade fries first and keep them warm in a low oven. Then air fry the fish, which takes just 10–12 minutes. Serve with malt vinegar, lemon, tartar sauce and mushy peas.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover fish for up to 2 days. Reheat breaded fillets at 350°F175°C for 4–5 minutes to restore the crunch.
Crispy Air Fryer Fish Fillets
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 22 min
- Air fryer
- 400°F205°C
- Makes
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 280 per fillet
Ingredients
- 4 white fish fillets, about 6 oz each (cod, haddock, pollock or tilapia)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Oil spray (avocado or olive oil in a pump mister)
- Lemon wedges and tartar sauce, to serve
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Dry the fish. Pat the fillets very dry with paper towels. Moisture makes the coating slide off.
- Set up the breading. Put the flour in one shallow dish, beat the eggs in a second, and mix the panko, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a third.
- Coat. Dredge each fillet in flour and shake off the excess, dip it in egg, then press it firmly into the panko on both sides.
- Preheat and oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F205°C. Spray the basket lightly, place the fillets in a single layer, and spray the tops with oil so the panko browns.
- Air fry. Cook for 5–6 minutes, then carefully flip with a thin spatula and spray the other side. Cook another 5–6 minutes, until golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork (145°F63°C).
- Serve. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Notes
- Thin fillets under ½ inch cook in 7–9 minutes.
- Use a perforated parchment liner if your fish tends to stick.
- For fish tacos, cut the fish into strips before breading and cook 7–9 minutes.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook fish in the air fryer?
Breaded fish fillets take 10–12 minutes at 400°F205°C, and plain seasoned fillets take 8–10 minutes. Thin tilapia takes 7–9 minutes, and frozen breaded fillets take 12–15 minutes. Fish is done when it flakes easily and reaches 145°F63°C.
Can you fry fish in an air fryer?
You can make crispy 'fried' fish in the air fryer with a flour, egg and panko coating and a light spray of oil. It won't be identical to deep-fried beer batter, but it's crunchy, golden and much less greasy.
What is the best fish for the air fryer?
Firm white fish like cod, haddock, pollock and halibut hold together best. Tilapia and flounder work but are more delicate. Salmon, mahi mahi and tuna steaks also air fry very well.
Can you use beer batter in an air fryer?
Not a thin, wet batter. It drips through the basket before it sets. Use a dry coating instead (flour, egg, then panko or crushed crackers) for a similar crunch.
How do you keep fish from sticking in the air fryer?
Dry the fish well, preheat the air fryer, and lightly oil the basket, or use a perforated parchment liner. Wait until the first side is set before flipping, and use a thin spatula.
Can you cook fish in the air fryer without breading?
Yes. Brush fillets with oil or melted butter, season with salt, pepper, garlic and paprika (or lemon pepper), and air fry at 400°F205°C for 8–10 minutes without flipping.
Do you need to flip fish in the air fryer?
Flip breaded fillets once, gently, for even browning. Plain fillets and skin-on salmon don't need flipping.
