When it comes to creating light, crispy fish that’s not deep-fried yet just as satisfying, my go-to method is the air fryer. This air fryer fish fillet recipe gives you that crunchy, golden crust and tender, flaky center without needing a ton of oil or a greasy mess. It’s one of those simple recipes that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort and it’s a great option for weeknight dinners, lunch wraps, or even healthy meal prep.

I personally love using white fish like tilapia or cod for this recipe because they cook evenly and have a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the seasoned coating. The crust is built with panko breadcrumbs for that signature crunch and seasoned flour to add savory depth to each bite. A quick egg wash helps everything stick perfectly, and the result is air-fried perfection!

Let’s dive into how I make it step-by-step.

Choosing the Right Fish

This recipe is flexible with any boneless white fish fillets. I prefer tilapia or cod for their texture and affordability, but feel free to use any white fish you enjoy. Make sure the fillets are similar in thickness so they cook uniformly in the air fryer.

Whether using fresh or frozen fish, just ensure it’s completely thawed and patted dry before breading. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!

Breading Made Simple

1. Seasoned flour mix: All purpose flour blended with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Egg wash: Just whisked eggs in a shallow bowl.
3. Panko breadcrumbs: These give that irresistible golden crunch after air frying.

Each fillet goes through all three steps coat in flour, dip in egg, then dredge in panko. Don’t rush this part; the coating is what makes this recipe pop!

Air Frying for Crispy Results

Place your breaded fish in the air fryer basket. Don’t stack or overcrowd themair circulation is key to even browning. Give a light spray of oil over the tops to help them crisp up. I use a neutral oil spray, and depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in batches.

Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the fillets halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden, crispy, and flake easily with a fork.

Serving Ideas

Serve your air-fried fish fillets with lemon wedges and a generous dollop of tartar sauce. They also work great in fish tacos, wraps, or alongside coleslaw, roasted veggies, or a bed of salad greens.

Tips, Tricks & Notes:

• Fully Thaw First: If using frozen fish, make sure it’s completely thawed before breading and cooking.
• Spice Swap: Prefer a punch of heat? Try Cajun or Old Bay seasoning instead of the suggested spices.
• Uniform Fillets: Keep fish sizes even so they cook at the same rate.
• Temperature Check: Fish is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temp of 145°F (63°C).
• Avoid Sticking: If your air fryer isn’t non-stick, lightly oil the basket before placing the fish.
• Cook in Batches: Crowding the basket will create steam and prevent crisping. Give space!
• Gluten-Free Version: Use almond flour instead of all-purpose, and swap panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed GF cornflakes.
• Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F until hot and crispy again.
• Use Air Fryer Liners: They make cleanup a breeze and help prevent sticking.

Air Fryer Fish Fillet

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Course: Uncategorized

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

12

minutes

Total time

22

minutes

A healthy and delicious way to enjoy crispy fish, this air fryer fish fillet recipe is made with white fish, coated in a seasoned panko crust, and cooked to golden perfection in just minutes. Ideal for a quick dinner or light lunch.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless white fish fillets (tilapia or cod)

• 2 large eggs, whisked

• ½ cup all purpose flour

• ½ tsp ground paprika

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1⅓ cups panko breadcrumbs

• Oil spray (neutral cooking oil)

• Lemon wedges & tartar sauce (for serving)

Directions

• Pat the fish fillets dry using paper towels.
• In a bowl, whisk the eggs.
• On a plate, combine flour with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Spread panko breadcrumbs on a separate plate.
• Dredge each fillet in flour mixture, then dip in egg, and coat with panko.
• Place coated fish into the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with oil.
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping once halfway.
• Serve hot with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

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