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Crispy air fryer cod is golden and crunchy on the outside and tender and flakey on the inside. Panko bread crumbs, flour and a blend of herbs and spices make this crispy cod recipe irresistible. Air fried cod is so simple to make without deep-frying, and your whole family can enjoy a healthy dinner in under 30 minutes.
Panko crusted cod is perfect for serving fish and chips style with a big batch of homemade french fries. Slather a bun with a layer of tarter sauce for a crispy air fried cod sandwich, or pile the crispy air fryer cod onto a tortilla with coleslaw, cilantro and lime for the best fish taco. No matter how you serve this crispy cod recipe, it’s sure to be a hit.
If you love seafood, try my Healthy Oven Baked Cod, Baked Salmon Fish Sticks or Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Cod Recipe
- It’s healthy. Since this is air fried, you eliminate a lot of oil needed for deep-frying. You’ll get that crispy, crunchy coating without all the added fats.
- It’s versatile. Serve the air fried cod with a few of your favorite sides or make sandwiches or tacos.
- It’s fast. This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes using simple staples you already have in your pantry.
Air Fried Cod Ingredients
- Cod: look for cod filets that are similar in size and thickness. Remove any bones. You can use fresh or frozen cod, but frozen fish should be thawed.
- Salt and Pepper: season the filets with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour to coat the fish. Substitute gluten free flour if desired.
- Egg Wash: use a room-temperature egg and milk to create a wet batter for the fish.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs give this fish lots of crunch, Use gluten free panko if desired.
- Seasoning: Use paprika, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and ground pepper to season the flour for dredging the cod filets.
- Cooking spray: to get a golden, crispy crust.
- Chopped parsley: to garnish
- Lemon slices: to serve
How To Make Air Fryer Cod
- Prepare the fish. Pat the cod filets with a kitchen towel and season them with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the dredging stations. Place the all-purpose flour in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk egg and milk and set it aside. And in a different bowl, combine panko, paprika, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge the fish. Place the seasoned cod filet in the flour bowl and coat them evenly. Dip it into the egg mixture and coat it evenly in the panko mixture by pressing on the sides.
- Cook the fish. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes and grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the panko-coated cod filets carefully into the air fryer basket, air fry them for 10 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 5 minutes until the cod turns crispy and golden.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish the filets with chopped parsley on top and serve with lemon slices on the sides.
Tips To Make Cod in The Air Fryer
- Frozen cod filets should be thawed completely before cooking.
- Dry the fish with paper towels.
- Season the fish well before coating.
- Dip the fish into the coating and ensure that both sides are covered.
- Tuck thinner ends of the fish under for more even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Hot air needs to circulate for maximum crispiness.
- Flip the fish halfway through cooking.
- Fish can be delicate so take care when flipping.
- Don’t overcook the fish or it will dry out and can become rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can substitute regular or seasoned breadcrumbs if you prefer. Panko is extra crunchy, and I like the added crispiness of these air fried cod fillets, so that is my preference. Both will work in this recipe.
The exact time for cooking your fish filets will vary slightly depending on the thickness of the filets and the make and model of your air fryer. The fish will usually be cooked through in about 15 minutes. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. If checking with a meat thermometer, the fish should be cooked to 145 degrees F.
Cod is a mild, white fish, so you can easily substitute any white fish in this recipe. Sole, halibut, haddock, tilapia and catfish are excellent substitutions.
Leftover fish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat the fish in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Cooked fish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Flash freeze the fish on a baking tray, then wrap it tightly or seal it in an airtight container. Place the frozen fish in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes until heated through. The fish may not get as crispy when reheating.
Serve with Crispy Air Fryer French Fries or The BEST Crispy Potato Wedges for a classic fish and chips dinner. Coleslaw, Zucchini Fritters, and Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese all make delicious sides.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Garlic Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties
- Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Strips
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Air Fryer Cod recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Crispy Air Fryer Cod
Ingredients
- 1 lb cod filets
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 whole egg
- 2 tablespoon milk
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- Cooking spray
- Chopped parsley, to garnish
- Lemon slices, to serve
Instructions
- Pat the cod filets with a kitchen towel and season them with salt and pepper.
- Place the all-purpose flour in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk egg and milk and set it aside.
- And in a different bowl, combine panko, paprika, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the seasoned cod filet in the flour bowl and coat them evenly. Dip it into the egg mixture and coat it evenly in the panko mixture by pressing on the sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes and grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place the panko-coated cod filets carefully into the air fryer basket, air fry them for 10 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 5 minutes until the cod turns crispy and golden.
- Garnish the filets with chopped parsley on top and serve with lemon slices on the sides.
Notes
- Frozen cod filets should be thawed completely before cooking.
- Dry the fish with paper towels.
- Season the fish well before coating.
- Dip the fish into the coating and ensure that both sides are covered.
- Tuck thinner ends of the fish under for more even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Hot air needs to circulate for maximum crispiness.
- Flip the fish halfway through cooking.
- Fish can be delicate so take care when flipping.
- Don’t overcook the fish or it will dry out and can become rubbery.
