Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Cod
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Our easy air fryer breaded cod recipe makes for a tasty lunch or a quick dinner. We love making breaded fish in the air fryer because it’s crispy, flavorful and flaky every single time. And healthier than the traditional method of frying it in oil.
Nothing beats a good fish fillet or fish sandwich (with lots of tartar sauce, of course!). Fried fish is a family favorite but this busy Mom doesn’t like making fried food at home – it’s messy and the lingering fried-food odor is a turn off.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
When I discovered you could make breaded fish in the air fryer I totally jumped on board. And my family loved the results – golden, flaky fish with that deep-fried crunch we all crave. And it’s ready in under 30 minutes making it an easy choice for busy weeknight dinners.
For more easy fish recipes be sure to check out our air fryer honey orange glazed salmon and air fryer tilapia tacos recipes.
New to air frying? Get the low down on maximizing your usage of this amazing small appliance, including easy clean up tips, with our best air fryer tips for beginners.
Air Fryer Breaded Cod Ingredients
- Fish fillets – we’re using cod because it has a flaky texture and holds up to the breading
- Eggs – helps to bind the breading so it sticks to the fish and keeps it crispy
- All-purpose flour – helps the eggs and breadcrumbs stick to the fish so you get that classic crunch
- Breadcrumbs – use regular, seasoned or panko bread crumbs to bring the crunch to party
- Spices: onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay Seasoning, salt and pepper add a burst of flavor without overwhelming the fish
- Oil or cooking spray – moistens the breading to help create a golden, crispy coating
- For serving (optional): tartar sauce, lemon wedges, malt vinegar
BUSY MOM TIP: Buy pre-portioned fish fillets – they’re perfectly sized and it’s a whole lot easier than cutting up a whole fish.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How To Make Breaded Fish in the Air Fryer
Before we start cooking, you’ll want to set up a breading station. Start by putting your flour in one shallow bowl and beaten eggs in a second bowl.
In a third bowl add the breadcrumbs and seasonings.
Next rinse off your fish filets and pat them dry.
Dip a filet into the flour, then the eggs, and finally in the breadcrumbs, making sure all sides of the cod are coated evenly. Repeat with the remaining pieces of fish.
Preheat your air fryer, then prep the basket by spritzing it with a bit of oil or use a parchment paper liner. Mist the breaded fillets with a little bit of oil and place in the basket in a single layer.
Cook the fish for 8-10 minutes at 390 degrees F, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
Depending on the size of your air fryer and the amount of fish you are cooking, you may need to cook in batches. If that’s the case, keep the cooked fish warm in the oven, set to a low temperature, until you’re ready to serve.
DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START?
Grab the free guide to Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet & say goodbye to the guesswork.
Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Cod Recipe
- Make sure your fish is completely dry or the breading won’t stick properly.
- For more crunch, do a double dip in the egg and breadcrumbs.
- Place the fish in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little bit of room between each piece for the hot air to circulate. If you overcrowd the basket the coating won’t get crispy.
- Don’t skip spritzing the breaded filets with a bit of oil – it’s helps the coating to brown and crisp up. We use an oil mister for this step – it’s a must-have for air fryer cooking.
- For easier cleanup, use a parchment paper liner in the basket.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- This recipe works well with other firm, white fish like pollock and tilapia.
- If you’re out of eggs you can dip the pieces of fish in buttermilk or whole milk.
- For more flavor options try lemon pepper, a Cajun seasoning blend or add a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Can you use frozen fish in this recipe?
You can, but you’ll want to thaw it out first. Thawing and then drying the fillets helps the breading to stick to the fish.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fried Cod
You can serve this crispy fish alongside French fries for a traditional fish and chips meal or on a bun as a sandwich. It’s also really good in fish tacos – just wrap cooked pieces of breaded fish in a corn tortilla and top with a simple slaw for a tasty bite. Just add a Greek salad or a simple Southern coleslaw to round out the meal.
Need more air fryer help? Check out our favorite air fryer accessories, best oils to use and tips for choosing the right air fryer. This is the air fryer model I’m currently using.
How to Store Leftover Breaded Fish
This dish is best eaten freshly cooked but if you have leftovers store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can layer with parchment paper to avoid the pieces sticking together.
To reheat: air fry at 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes, flipping them at the halfway point. Or bake in a 375 degrees F oven for 10 minutes until crispy and heated through. We do not recommend using the microwave to reheat this dish.
More easy air fryer seafood recipes…
This air fryer cod recipe ticks off all the boxes – it’s easy to prepare, makes crispy coated fish and the cleanup is a breeze. Fish night just got a crunchy upgrade and we’re here for it!
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Air Fryer Breaded Cod
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups dry breadcrumbs or Panko crumbs
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 24 ounces cod fish, 6-8 fillets
- olive oil or cooking spray
For Serving: Optional
- lemon wedges
- tartar sauce
- malt vinegar
Instructions
- Add the flour to a shallow bowl or pie plate.½ cup all-purpose flour
- In a second shallow bowl, add the eggs and beat well.2 large eggs
- In a third shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs and seasonings.2 cups dry breadcrumbs or Panko crumbs, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Rinse the fish and pat it dry with a paper towel.24 ounces cod fish
- Coat the fish by first dipping it in the flour, then in eggs and ending with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
- Spritz the breaded fish pieces with olive oil.olive oil or cooking spray
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or line it with a perforated parchment paper liner.
- Heat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Place breaded fish pieces in the greased basket in a single layer, leaving a bit of room between each piece for air to circulate.
- Cook the fish for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and flaky.
- Serve immediately with tartar sauce and lemons, if desired.
Notes
- Substitute the cod for your favorite whitefish (ie pollock or tilapia).
- For crispy fish, make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches based on the size of your basket.
- This dish is best eaten freshly cooked but you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until crispy and heated through.
- Optional serving sauces are not included in the nutritional calculation.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
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