This tasty recipe proves you don’t need grease to make your favorite Friday fish fry!
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I’m from Wisconsin, so Friday fish fries are a pretty big deal around here. You could order a fish fry at a local Thai restaurant on a Friday night. I’m not being hyperbolic. This is gospel truth, people. It’s in our blood—well, that and high cholesterol from all those fish fries. And while it may be considered sacrilege to my fellow Wisconsinites, this air fryer fish recipe comes pretty darn close to tasting like my favorite greasy spoon.
What I love about this air fryer fish is how crispy and tender it is. Really, it’s almost shocking because, normally, it takes a vat of grease to get this type of texture and flavor. The seasoning blend of garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder also does wonders for this batter. I simply love how effortlessly I can get restaurant-quality fish at home, all with minimal cleanup and no greasy residue. You really gotta try this.
Is Air Fryer Fish Healthy?
That’s an emphatic yes from me! Using an air fryer significantly reduces the oil you need, which lowers the overall fat and calorie content. Plus, I don’t even use a breading for the fish because the air fryer does a great job crisping the fish with the spices. And fish itself is an excellent source of lean protein and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to benefit heart health.
What Fish is Best?
We’re looking to make a batter-free fish fry for this recipe, so you want to go with flaky fish. White fish fillets like cod, tilapia, and haddock are excellent choices due to their mild flavor. Cod is my favorite because of its firm yet tender flesh. Haddock is a close second because it’s cheaper and has more natural flavor than cod. However, tilapia is the most affordable, and its delicate texture allows it to cook quickly, for better or worse—just keep an eye on it!
INGREDIENTS
- 4 (6-ounce) white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat
Get the air fryer ready.
Season
Prepare and apply spice mixture to fish.
Cook
Air fry fish until golden and flaky.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
I wouldn’t make this recipe ahead of time because you want to enjoy this fish “fry” fresh! However, leftovers should last in your fridge for up to 3 days.
Yep! I’ll sometimes go with frozen myself because it usually costs less at my grocery store. I recommend you thaw them first and pat them dry before seasoning.
It’s a pretty easy fix. Just lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. If you don’t have any cooking spray, you can also brush the basket with your preferred cooking oil.
Serving Suggestions
No Friday night fish fry, air-fried or otherwise, is complete without Tartar Sauce. In Wisconsin, tartar sauce is a non-negotiable requirement. And hey, since you already fired up the air fryer, you might as well make some French Fries! You’ll also have to try this excellent Fries Seasoning recipe. Serve it with a side of German Cucumber Salad, and you have a delicious meal! All this dinner needs is a dessert, like Cookie Dough Banana Ice Cream or a Vegan Milkshake, because we might as well keep this healthy streak going.
Ingredients
- 4 6-ounce white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Brush the spice mixture onto both sides of the fish fillets evenly.
- Place the seasoned fish fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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