Can You Put Battered Fish In An Air Fryer? (read this first)

There’s nothing more British than fish and chips for tea but can you cook battered fish in an air fryer? 

If you’ve been discovering the benefits of using an air fryer to cook your food, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that you can air fry battered fish.

And not just frozen battered fish either, keep reading to find out how to successfully cook battered fish in your air fryer from scratch.

Can You Cook Frozen Battered Fish In An Air Fryer?

You can cook frozen battered fish in an air fryer and the best part, it will only take about 12 minutes.

All you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180 C (350 F)
2. Spray the frozen battered fish with light olive oil
3. Place the fish in a single layer in the air fryer basket ensuring that each piece of fish isn’t touching its neighbour
4. Cook for 12 minutes
5. Turn the fish over after 6 minutes

To be sure that you don’t overcook the fish, check it after 8 minutes

The fish is done when the internal temperature is at least 63 C (145 F). You can check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer.

Can You Cook Home Made Battered Fish In An Air Fryer?

It has always been thought to be virtually impossible to cook fish coated in a fresh batter in an air fryer. This is because the batter always runs off the fish and simply messes up the air fryer.

Fish shop batter is runny and if you make a fish shop batter it won’t work in an air fryer. So we had to get creative to find a way to cook fresh battered fish in the air fryer.

Firstly, you need to use relatively thick pieces of fish because it needs to be cooked for quite a while to brown the batter.

Secondly, you need to do two things to make the batter stay on the fish;

1. Make the batter thicker than usual
2. Coat the batter in flour

How To Make The Batter

You will need;

• 250 g (1 cup) plain flour
• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tablespoons corn flour
• 177 ml (6 fl ounces) beer
• 1 beaten egg

Method;

• Mix the flour, corn flour and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl
• Add the egg and beer
• Stir until it makes a smooth paste
• Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes

Meanwhile mix;

• 175 ml (¾ cup) plain flour
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt

In a bowl and then place these ingredients on a large enough tray to be able to coat the battered fish.

Method;

1. Dip each piece of fish into the chilled batter mix
2. Allow any excess batter to fall off
3. Then dip the battered fish in the dry flour mixture
4. Spray all sides of the fish using vegetable oil
5. Lay the fish pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer without allowing them to touch each other
6. Cook in a preheated air fryer at 190 C (375 F) for 12 minutes
7. Flip the pieces of fish over after 6 minutes
8. Check the internal temperature which needs to be over 63 C (145 F).
9. Serve and enjoy.

Can You Cook Breadcrumbed Fish In An Air Fryer?

In many ways fish coated in breadcrumbs is a better way to cook fish. Not only is it healthier than fish coated in batter, it is also easier to cook, especially in an air fryer.

All you need to do is set up 3 bowls;

1. Plain flour seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika
2. 1 beaten egg
3. Breadcrumbs

Method;

1. Dip each piece of fish first in the flour
2. Dip the floured fish in the egg 
3. Then finally dip the floured egg coated fish in the breadcrumbs
4. Spray both sides of the fish in vegetable oil 
5. Arrange the fish in a single layer in the air fryer allowing a gap between each piece
6. Cook in preheated air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes at 190 C (375 F)
7. Turn the pieces of fish over at around 5 to 6 minutes
8. Check the internal temperature which needs to be over 63 C (145 F)
9. Serve and enjoy

You can check the fish temperature after around 8 minutes.

Depending on how thick the fish you used was it could take more or less time to cook in your air fryer which is why we recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature before serving.

Can You Cook Fish Fingers In An Air Fryer?

Fish fingers are a popular tea for many kids and many adults as well. The great news is they can be cooked in an air fryer with the least amount of work.

All you need to do is;

1. Arrange the fish fingers in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer ensuring there is a gap between each one
2. Cook in a preheated air fryer at 200 C (390 F) for 8 minutes (allow an extra 2 to 4 minutes for frozen fish fingers)
3. Turn the fish fingers after 4 minutes
4. Check the internal temperature is over 63 C (145 F) using a meat thermometer.
5. Serve and enjoy

Frequently Asked Questions