Crispy and Flaky Air Fryer Cod
Air fryer cod comes out flaky inside with lightly crisp, seasoned edges and cooks fast enough for an easy weeknight dinner. Old Bay gives it that classic seafood flavor, but the recipe also works beautifully with Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or garlic paprika depending on what you’re craving.
Ingredients
- 2 cod fillets about 1-inch thick. Thawed, if using frozen
- 1 Tablespoon Extra virgin Olive oil or Avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Seasoning I used Old Bay seasoning. You can also try it with lemon pepper seasoning, or cajun spice.
Instructions
- Prep cod fillets: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels, then brush lightly with oil or melted butter. Season both sides with Old Bay or your favorite seasoning blend. Lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or garlic paprika all work really well here too.
- Preheat: Let cod marinate and absorb spices and herbs for 5 minutes. In the meantime preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then, grease the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray.
- Air fry: Place the cod fillets in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes (depending on thickness) or until it turns golden brown and crispy. Flip the fillets halfway through the cooking time to ensure it cooks evenly on both sides. Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the fish has reached 145°F.
- Finish with lemon juice right before serving.
Notes
- For frozen cod, thaw it first for the best texture. I like thawing it overnight in the fridge or placing the sealed fish in cold water for a quicker thaw. Avoid hot water because it can start cooking the outside before the inside is ready.
- Pat the cod very dry before adding oil and seasoning. This helps the seasoning stick and keeps the fish from turning watery in the air fryer.
- Start checking early if your fillets are thin. Cod cooks fast, and thinner pieces may be ready before thicker center-cut fillets.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. A little space around each piece helps the edges roast instead of steam.
- Add lemon after cooking, not before. Fresh lemon at the end keeps the flavor bright without making the fish wet before it hits the air fryer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 40gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 900mgSugar: 0.3gCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimer Nutritional information is an estimate and may change based on products used.
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