Air Fryer Cod
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Cod recipe perfect for quick, healthy meals. This method yields tender, flaky fish with a golden, crispy coating using minimal oil, making it a nourishing and easy option ideal for busy weeknights.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets, fresh or thawed, skinless (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Prepare the Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is essential to achieving maximum crispiness when air frying.
- Season and Coat: Lightly brush both sides of the fillets with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest on the fillets. Press each fillet firmly into the panko breadcrumbs so that they are well coated on all sides.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for about 3 minutes. This ensures the coating starts crisping immediately upon cooking.
- Air Fry the Cod: Place the coated fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap to allow proper air circulation. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping gently halfway through, until the fillets are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the cod from the air fryer and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish to add a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Always pat the fish dry before seasoning to help the coating stick better.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave space between fillets for even cooking.
- Flip the fillets carefully with a thin spatula to maintain the crispy crust.
- Adjust cooking time based on the thickness and size of fillets as needed.
- Using fresh lemon zest and herbs enhances the flavors significantly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet (6 oz)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: air fryer cod, crispy cod, healthy fish recipe, quick fish dinner, gluten free cod, air frying seafood