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crispy air fryer fish on plate with lemon wedges and tartar sauce
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5 from 5 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Fish (lemon parmesan breading!)

This crispy air fryer fish has a delicious lemon parmesan breading that cooks to crispy perfection in minutes. A healthier alternative to deep fried fish that is a total crowd pleaser!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie
Servings: 4
Calories: 224kcal
Author: Denise Bustard

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour note 1
  • 1 egg beaten
  • ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • ⅓ c Parmesan cheese shredded; note 2
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 lemon zested on a microplane
  • 4 fillets cod 3-5 oz each; up to 1 inch thick; see note 3

Instructions

  • Fish- start with fully thawed fish, and pat dry with a paper towel to remove moisture from the surface of the fish.
    blotting white fish dry with paper towel
  • Prepare breading- In three shallow bowls, add: (1) all purpose flour, (2) beaten eggs, (3) Panko, parmesan, lemon zest, salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Stir the Panko mixture until completely combined.
    three bowls with flour, eggs, and panko
  • Bread the fish- Make sure your fish is fully thawed, and pat each fillet dry using paper towels. Use tongs or your fingers to dredge the fish in the flour, shaking off excess, then dipping into the beaten eggs. Allow any excess egg to run off before placing the fish in the Panko mixture. Press gently so it sticks, then flip and allow the entire fillet to be coated. Transfer to a clean plate or cutting board and repeat with remaining fillets.
    fish dredged in breadcrumbs
  • Cook- Heat your air fryer to 400°F and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Add the fish to the basket or tray (*note 5) of your air fryer, ensuring the fillets do not overlap. Cook until the fish reaches 145°F in the thickest portion; 6-8 minutes.
    breaded fish in air fryer before cooking
  • Enjoy- Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges, sprinkle with parsley if desired.
    crispy air fryer fish on plate with lemon wedges and tartar sauce

Video

Notes

1- whole wheat, gluten-free or almond flour may work but have not been tested.
2- freshly grated parmesan yields the best flavor
3- other varieties include tilapia, haddock, catfish, sole, and snapper. Be sure to select a fish that is certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council
4- nutritional information is ¼ of the whole batch, roughly 4 oz of cod.
5- if using an air fryer oven, cook the fish on the lower rack
Storage
Fish is best served fresh, and personally I do not enjoy fish that has been stored for longer than 2 days. With that being said, it is perfectly safe to store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  1. Cool completely, then store in an air tight container (I recommend separating fish with parchment so the breading stays intact).
  2. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  3. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, until heated through and breading gets crispy again.
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz *note 4 | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 423mg | Potassium: 748mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 193IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 1mg