Air Fryer Cod
Cod is a fantastic fish—it’s mild, flaky, and wonderfully versatile. But let’s be real, cooking fish at home can sometimes feel like a high-stakes operation. Will it stick to the pan? Will it fall apart? Will it end up dry and sad? It’s enough to make you give up and order takeout. But what if I told you the secret to perfectly cooked, tender, and flaky cod is as simple as pressing a button?
Say hello to your air fryer, the unsung hero of seafood. This machine is an absolute game-changer for cooking delicate white fish like cod. The circulating hot air cooks it quickly and evenly, sealing in moisture to keep the fillet tender while creating a beautifully golden-brown exterior. You get all the benefits of roasting at high heat without turning on your oven. This method is not only ridiculously easy but also a healthy way to prepare a delicious meal in minutes.
Ready for a restaurant-quality fish dinner on a weeknight timeline? Let’s dive in.
Why the Air Fryer is a Fish’s Best Friend
If you’ve been sleeping on your air fryer for anything other than fries, you’re missing out. Here’s why it’s the best way to cook cod:
- Speed: We’re talking about perfectly cooked fish in about 8 minutes. It’s faster than your oven can even preheat.
- Texture: The air fryer creates a light, almost-roasted crust on the outside while keeping the inside flaky and moist. No sogginess here.
- Health: You only need a tiny bit of oil to get a great result, making it a lean and clean way to cook.
- Easy Cleanup: No splattered stovetops or greasy baking sheets. The non-stick air fryer basket makes cleanup a total breeze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps it simple and classic, letting the fresh flavor of the cod be the star of the show.
- 2 cod fillets (about 320g/11oz total)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
This is so easy, it barely feels like a recipe.
1. Create the Seasoning Marinade
In a small mixing bowl, combine the avocado oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, dried parsley, and black pepper. Give it a good whisk until everything is well combined. This simple mixture will add a bright, savory flavor to the fish.
2. Prep the Cod
Take your cod fillets and gently pat them dry with paper towels. This is a small step, but it’s important! Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning stick and allows the fish to get that lovely golden color instead of just steaming.
3. Season the Fillets
Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, coat both sides of the cod fillets with the seasoned oil mixture. Make sure they are evenly covered so every bite is flavorful.
4. Preheat and Cook
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Once it’s hot, place the seasoned cod fillets in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping to allow the hot air to circulate properly.
Cook the cod for 8 minutes. That’s it! There’s no need to flip them halfway through. The fish is done when it’s opaque and flakes easily when you gently press it with a fork.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Carefully remove the cod fillets from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate. This fish is perfect with a side of roasted asparagus, a fresh salad, or some fluffy quinoa for a complete, healthy meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got questions? We’ve got answers to help you get this recipe just right.
Yes, you absolutely can. However, it’s best to thaw the fillets completely before you start. Once thawed, pat them very dry with paper towels to remove all the extra moisture before seasoning and cooking.
he best visual cue is that the fish will turn from translucent to opaque and will flake easily with a fork. For 100% certainty, you can use a meat thermometer. Fish is considered safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) at its thickest point.
Definitely! This recipe works beautifully with other firm white fish fillets. Haddock, halibut, pollock, or tilapia would all be excellent substitutes. Just keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the fillet.
Nope, you can skip the flip! One of the great things about air frying delicate fish is that the hot air circulates all around the food, cooking it evenly without you having to risk breaking the fillets by flipping them.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at around 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. This will help bring back some of the texture better than a microwave.
Air Fryer Cod
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp dried parsley
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cod fillets about 11oz
Instructions
- Get a small mixing bowl and add the avocado oil, lemon juice, salt, dried parsley and black pepper to it.
- Mix the oil and spices together until well combined.
- Pat dry the cod fillets with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Brush the seasoned oil mixture over both sides of the cod fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Once preheated, place the cod fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook the cod fillets in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and flake easily with a fork.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the cod fillets from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate.
Notes
For more air fryer recipes, check out these main dishes:
