We love fish fillets and learning how to cook raw fish fillets from frozen in the air fryer is super easy and we think you’ll love them too! They come out crispy and absolutely delicious! Cooking Air fried frozen fish is a game changer.

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillet or Fish Patty on a plate

How to Cook Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillets (RAW)

Frozen fish fillets are better air fried than a regular oven because the hot circulating air makes the fish fillets crispy without having to oil them. Add some tarter sauce and a few slices of lemon and voila! It’s perfect with the bright lemon juice and dip. And if you want to make it a meal, air fry some french fries after for a perfect fish and chips air fryer dinner! All time, temp and details are in the recipe box below.

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillet or Fish Patty in a basket

Video: Air Fried Frozen Fish Fillets

Adjusting Time and Temp for Raw Frozen Fish Fillets

  • All the frozen fillets we found were frozen RAW. There’s so many different brands of frozen fish fillets: Gortons, Van de Kamps, Great Value, Birds Eye. Mrs. Pauls and Marie Calendars are a few brands to look for.
  • When you’re air frying the fish fillets, check to make sure they’re cooked through on the inside and crispy on the outside.
  • After air frying for the initial base time of 12 minutes, check on the fillets and flip them. Add additional minute or two of cooking until they are crispy and cooked through.
  • Your first batch will basically be like the “test”. After that, you’ll know exactly what time and temp you’ll use with your specific air fryer. After that, you’ll be the air frying fish fillet expert!
  • See recipe below for details.
  • Pro-Tip: here’s our favorite tools to help make air frying easier:
Evo Oil Sprayer
Evo Oil Sprayer

We LOVE Evo Oil Sprayers. Not the prettiest, but they’re functional and spritz oil great! They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!

8.5" Square Blue Silicone Mat
Perforated Silicone Mat

There are Square Mats & Round Mats. These perforated non-stick silicone mats are used to cook food in your air fryer or steamer to minimize sticking. Holes allow hot circulating air to cook the food & keeps the food from sticking.

Perforated Parchment Paper
Perforated Parchment Paper

Parchment sheets are great for your air fryer or bamboo steamer (food tends to stick most on wire basket or tray). Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.

Should you thaw the frozen fish fillets before air frying?

No, you don’t have to. Besides, if they’re thawed they will be hard to handle. It’s best to air fry them directly from frozen. But for what ever reason if they ended up being thawed, air fry them for about 8 minutes then check on them. Add additional 2 minutes or more of air frying until they are cooked through and crispy to your preference.

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillet or Fish Patty step by step photos
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillet or Fish Patty | AirFryerWorld.com

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillet

Yield: 2 servings
Cook Time: 16 mins
Total Time: 16 mins
There's several things which affect how the frozen fish fillet cook. They all vary in size, thickness, type and heaviness of the breading so you’ll have to adjust timing. For best and even cooking, don't overcrowd the basket. Fill just an even single layer of fish fillets.
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. These were tested on basket style air fryers. Read more recipe notes below the recipe. Nutrition will vary from brand to brand and will depend on the type of coating.
4.88 from 8 votes
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Ingredients

  • 4 Frozen Breaded Fish Fillet

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Place the frozen breaded fish fillet in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren't overlapping. No oil spray is needed.
  • Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 12 minutes. Flip the fish fillets over and then continue to cook at 380°F/193°C for another 2-4 minutes or until cooked through and the coating is crispy.

Notes

Air Frying Tips and Notes:
  1. No Oil Necessary. Cook Frozen – Do not thaw first.
  2. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Lay in a single layer.
  3. Recipe timing is based on a non-preheated air fryer. If cooking in multiple batches back to back, the following batches may cook a little quicker. 
  4. Recipes were tested in 3.7 to 6 qt. air fryers. If using a larger air fryer, they might cook quicker so adjust cooking time.
  5. Remember to set a timer to flip/toss as directed in recipe.

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 Information

Calories: 220kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 510mg, Potassium: 212mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Calcium: 15mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Frozen Foods, Seafood
Calories: 220

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This recipe was originally published in 2019 and re-publihsed in 2020 with updated notes.