Crispy Air Fryer Fish Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

Crispy and crunchy Air Fryer Fish is a simple recipe that will satisfy your fried fish cravings! Flaky, white, fish is dredged in a flavorful mayonnaise mixture so the coating sticks, then coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust before being air fried to perfection. Make up this quick and easy dish in just 20 minutes for an easy weeknight meal.

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Fish

I love a good fish fry.

The fresh fish and shrimp are caught locally in the Gulf coast, coated in a cornmeal crust (because that’s how we do it in the South!) and then deep fried until golden and crunchy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside.

While deep-fried fish is definitely something to be enjoyed on special occasions, it’s not exactly weeknight dinner-friendly for those watching what they eat.

So instead, I took the basic recipe for that deep-fried fish and turned it into this easy air fryer fish recipe!

You’ll get all of the flavor and crunchiness you love but without a TON of oil.

The cornmeal adds a nice grit that gets crunchy when fried, and the flour helps it to bind to the fish.

Speaking of binding; mayonnaise is our secret binding agent in this recipe. Others either don’t use a binder at all, or some simply use a drizzle of oil which results in the coating sliding right off of the fish.

But that’s not so with this recipe! Because of the egg-based sauce, the cornmeal crust sticks beautifully to the fish and won’t fall off after air frying.

Ingredients

• Fish. Mild white fish is best for this recipe. You want no more than about ¼- to ½-inch thick fillets or the cooking times will vary. Read below for more information on selecting fish.
• Cornmeal. Find a medium to fine grit to achieve the right texture. Also, look for a certified gluten-free kind if you are avoiding gluten.
• Flour. Regular all purpose or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend will both work. Mixing flour and cornmeal creates a crunchy exterior while also binding easily to the fish.
• Mayonnaise. The secret ingredient that works incredibly well to help the coating stick to the fish!
• Cajun seasoning. This gives the flavor a nice kick. You can also use blackened seasoning for a little more spice, or even old bay seasoning for a milder fish.

How to Air Fry Fish

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

1. Dredge the Fillets

Combine mayonnaise and lemon juice in a separate bowl.

Toss the fish in the mayonnaise mixture until they are completely covered. Pat the filets dry before doing this so it will stick better.

2. Coat the Fish

Measure the cornmeal, flour, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into a medium-sized bowl and mix.

One at a time, dip each filet into the cornmeal and flour mixture. Make sure the coating covers all of the sides, and then shake off the excess.

3. Air Fry

Arrange the coated fish filets into a 6-quart Air Fryer basket in a single layer. If the fish overlaps it won’t get crispy where the fish is touching. Work in batches to ensure there is plenty of room in the basket.

Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping the fillets after 5 minutes.

You’ll know the fish is done cooking when it flakes easily with a fork. Repeat with remaining fillets.

4. Serve with Sauce

Serve this fish simply with lemon wedges, or one of these easy homemade sauces:

• Tartar Sauce
• Remoulade Sauce
• Avocado Ranch Dressing
• Lime Crema
• Secret Sauce
• co*cktail Sauce

Best Fish to Air Fry

This recipe coats the fish in a crispy cornmeal crust. You want to use a firm, mildly flavored white fish. The types of fish that fit these characteristics include:

• Cod – Depending on where you live, either Atlantic or Pacific cod will be more readily available. While not technically cod, often Haddock and Whiting fish are sold as cod.
• Sole – This flatfish has a more firm texture than cod, with a mild and slightly sweet taste. Some compare it to a cross between tilapia and cod.
• Halibut – Another flatfish, halibut has dense, firm, flesh with a light and clean taste.
• Mahi-Mahi – Also known as Dorado or Dolphin (not to be confused with Flipper!), Mahi-Mahi’s firm texture and sweet taste resembles Swordfish, although a bit milder.
• Catfish – While firm, Catfish is less flaky than the other varieties. It also has the fishiest flavor, but a soak in milk before cooking can help take some of that taste away.

You can also air fry salmon, or another red fish without the cornmeal coating if you’d prefer!

FAQs

More Air Fryer Recipes

Create the best flavors and crispy textures with this handy appliance! Here are a few more dishes to try next:

• Air Fryer Apple Chips
• Air Fryer Eggplant
• Lamb Kofta
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Air Fryer Pickles
• Air Fryer Fish Tacos