Air Fryer Cod
Breaded cod usually means a pot of hot oil. In the air fryer, a coat of flour, egg and panko seasoned with paprika and lemon zest turns golden with a little olive oil, and the fish inside cooks in about 10 minutes. Serve it with fries for a lighter fish and chips, or with a crisp salad.
Published
- Prep Time
- 15 mins
- Cook Time
- 12 mins
- Total Time
- 27 mins
- Servings
- 4 servings
How do you make Air Fryer Cod?
Coat 4 cod fillets (about 150 g each, 2-2.5 cm thick) in flour, beaten egg and panko mixed with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, lemon zest and salt. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until golden and the fish flakes easily. Cook fish to 70°C (158°F) in the thickest part.
- Total time
- 27 mins
- Calories
- 260 per serving
- Protein
- 30 g
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Fish
Coating
Equipment
Air fryer (5.5 L / 6 qt or larger for 4 fillets at once) · 3 shallow dishes · Oil spray bottle or pastry brush · Thin, wide spatula · Instant-read thermometer
Quick Directions
Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes.
Set up the coating
Put the flour in one shallow dish.
Coat the cod
Pat the cod very dry with paper towels and season it with 1/4 tsp salt.
Air fry
Lightly spray the basket with oil and lay the fillets in a single layer with space between them.
Check for doneness
Cook until the fish flakes easily and reaches 70°C (158°F).
Serve
Serve the cod straight away, while the crust is crisp, with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Every step for making air fryer cod, written out in full.
Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes.
Set up the coating
Put the flour in one shallow dish. Beat the egg with the water in a second dish. In the third, rub the olive oil into the panko with your fingertips until the crumbs are evenly moistened, then mix in the paprika, garlic powder, lemon zest, 1/2 tsp salt and the pepper.
Coat the cod
Pat the cod very dry with paper towels and season it with 1/4 tsp salt. Dredge each fillet in flour and shake off the excess, dip it in the egg and let the extra drip off, then press it firmly into the panko so every side is coated.
Air fry
Lightly spray the basket with oil and lay the fillets in a single layer with space between them. A 5.5 L (6 qt) basket holds 4; in a smaller basket, cook 2 at a time, which doubles the cooking time. Air fry for 5-6 minutes, turn the fillets carefully with a thin spatula, then air fry for 5-6 minutes more, until the crust is golden.
Check for doneness
The cod is done when it is opaque all the way through and flakes easily with a fork. An instant-read thermometer pushed into the thickest part from the side should read 70°C (158°F). Thin tail pieces cook faster, so check them first.
Serve
Serve the cod straight away, while the crust is crisp, with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Fillets of even thickness cook at the same rate. Fold a thin tail end under before coating it, or cut it off and cook it as a separate piece for 2-3 minutes less.
- Keep one hand for the dry flour and panko and the other for the egg so your fingers don't get caked in breading.
- Air fryers vary. The first time you make this, check the thickest fillet at 9 minutes.
- Haddock, pollock and other thick white fish fillets work the same way. Adjust the time to their thickness and cook them to 70°C (158°F).
Variations
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko.
- Parmesan crust: replace 25 g (1/2 cup) of the panko with 25 g finely grated Parmesan.
- Cajun: swap the paprika and garlic powder for 2 tsp Cajun seasoning and cut the salt in the crumbs to 1/4 tsp.
- Fish tacos: cut the cod into 2.5 cm (1 inch) strips before coating and air fry for 7-9 minutes, turning once. Serve in warm tortillas with shredded cabbage and lime.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 260 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbs | 16 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.3 g |
| Fibre | 0.8 g |
| Sugar | 0.6 g |
| Sodium | 500 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Refrigerate within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer
- Freeze cooled, cooked fillets on a tray, then move them to a bag for up to 2 months. The crust softens a little but crisps again when reheated.
- Reheat
- Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 4-5 minutes from the fridge or 8-10 minutes from frozen, until hot to 74°C (165°F) and crisp.
Air Fryer Cod FAQs
How long do you cook cod in the air fryer?
Breaded cod fillets 2-2.5 cm (3/4-1 inch) thick take 10-12 minutes at 200°C (400°F), turned once halfway. Thinner fillets take 8-9 minutes. The fish is done when it flakes easily and reaches 70°C (158°F) in the thickest part.
Can you cook frozen cod in the air fryer?
For breaded cod, thaw it first: overnight in the fridge, or sealed in a bag in a bowl of cold water for about an hour, changing the water every 30 minutes. The coating won't stick to an icy fillet, and the crust burns before the centre cooks. Pat the thawed fish very dry before coating it.
How do you keep the breading from falling off fish in the air fryer?
Pat the fish very dry, shake off the extra flour, let the extra egg drip off and press the panko on firmly. Let the first side cook for 5-6 minutes so the crust sets, then turn the fillets once with a thin, wide spatula.
What fish can I use instead of cod?
Any thick, firm white fish works: haddock, pollock, hake or halibut. Fillets of the same thickness take about the same time. Cook them until they flake easily and reach 70°C (158°F).
Why is my air fryer fish soggy on the bottom?
The basket was crowded or not preheated, or the fillets weren't turned. Preheat for 3-5 minutes, leave space between the fillets, spray the basket lightly with oil and turn the fish halfway so both sides face the hot air.
Can I make air fryer cod without breadcrumbs?
Yes. Brush the fillets with 1 tbsp melted butter or olive oil mixed with paprika, garlic powder, lemon zest and salt. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 8-10 minutes without turning, until the fish flakes and reaches 70°C (158°F).
Disclaimer
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.
