Air Fryer Fish Fillets (Homemade Fresh)

Homemade air fryer fish fillets are so good, crispy and amazing! We’re obsessed with these air fryer tilapia fillets that are crispy and fantastic. You can use any fish that you want too! 

Air Fryer Fish Fillets Recipe

We have tips on cooking frozen fish sticks and frozen fish fillets here. But if you have time to make them with fresh fish filets, you’re in for a real treat! The fresh flavors of the fish with a crispy air fried fish fillet crust is amazing. It’s just as good as deep frying fish, but without all the grease and calories. Best of all, the clean up is so much easier! This air fried fish fillet is a healthier alternative to enjoying crispy fish. Your whole family will love it, including the kids. You’ll love it even more because it’s a healthy fresh and wholesome air fryer dinner without a lot of fuss.

Video: Air Fried Fish Fillets (Homemade)

What’s Best Fish for Homemade Fish Fillets?

• We suggest white fish that has a firmer texture. It cooks well and when the fish is firmer, it won’t break apart.
• Tilapia is always a popular white fish.
• You can use cod or halibut. Though they are more expensive, they have a great flakey texture, perfect for air frying.
• Or if you like salmon, the rich flavor is good too. Here’s a list of great healthy fishes you can cook with.

How to Make Fresh Fish Fillets in Air Fryer

• Cut your fresh fish into about 2″ wide fillets or you can leave it as whole fillets.
• Set your eggs and breadcrumbs (or whatever breading crumb you want to use) in bowls ready to go.
• Just make sure to be gentle when dipping the fish into the egg and breading. This will ensure that it doesn’t come off the fish before you air fry it. We like to gently dip and then sprinkle the breading on top.
• All recipe details are in the recipe box below.

Can You Freeze These?

If you have leftovers, it freezes well too! When you’re ready to heat it up in the air fryer, just make sure it thaws a little bit so that the center will be warm after air frying. Enjoy this air fryer tilapia fillets recipe!

Air Fryer Crispy Fish Fillets (Homemade)

Yield: 3 Servings

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

There are so many options for the breading that come out crispy and accommodate different dietary choices. We love them all, each giving slightly different texture and flavor.

Lots of factors influence how the fish filets cook. They all vary in size and thickness, so you’ll have to adjust timing. All air fryers are different and some cook much hotter than others. Once you cook your first batch, you’ll know more of what works for your model of air fryer and size of food.

Make sure to spray the filets to completely coat all the dry spots of breading or else it may cook up dry and crunchy instead of crispy. Want to know what oils and sprayers are best for an air fryer? This article is a great write up.

5 from 2 votes

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Ingredients

• 1 pound (454 g) white fish fillets (cod, halibut, tilapia, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt , or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper , or to taste
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
• 1-2 cups (60-120 g) breading of choice breadcrumbs, panko, crushed pork rinds or almond flour
• 1 egg , or more if needed
• Cooking Spray

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Parchment Paper (optional)

Instructions 

• Preheat the Air Fryer at 380°F/193°C for 4 minutes.
  
• If using frozen filets, make sure to thaw first. Cut fish filets in half if needed. Make sure they are even sized so they’ll cook evenly. The thicker they are, the longer they will take to cook.

  Pat the filets dry. Lightly oil the filets and then season with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  
• Put the breading in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs.

  Dip the filets in the egg, shaking off excess egg. Dredge the filets in your breading of choice. Press filets into the bowl of breading so that they completely coat the filets. Repeat this process for all fish pieces.
  
• Line air fryer basket or tray with perforated parchment paper (highly recommended - if you don't have perforated parchment paper, make sure to generously coat the air fryer basket with oil spray). Lightly spray parchment paper with oil spray.

  Lay coated fish in a single layer on the parchment (cook in batches if needed). Generously spray all sides of the breaded filets with oil spray to coat any dry spots.
  
• Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 8-14 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your filets. After 6 minutes, flip the filets. Lightly spray any dry spots than then continue cooking for the remaining time or until they are crispy brown and the fish is cooked through.

  Serve with your favorite dip: tartar sauce, mustard, aioli, etc.
  

If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 130mg, Sodium: 1139mg, Potassium: 575mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 408IU, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 3mg

Course: Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: American, Seafood

Calories: 314