Airfried fish fillet

Equipment

• Air Fryer (4-quart capacity or larger)
• 3 shallow bowls or pie dishes (for dredging)
• Tongs
• Paper towels

Ingredients

The Fish

• 4 White Fish Fillets (approx. 5–6 oz / 150–170g each; Cod, Haddock, Tilapia, Halibut, or Swai work best)
• 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (for patting down the fillets)

The Dredging Station

• 1/3 cup (45g) All-Purpose Flour (or gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour)
• 2 Large Eggs , beaten
• 1 cup (60g) Japanese Panko Breadcrumbs (Panko creates a significantly lighter, crispier crust than standard breadcrumbs)

The Seasoning Blend

• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika (adds color and subtle warmth)
• 1/2 tsp Dried Dill or Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/4 tsp Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

Cooking spray & Garnish

• Olive Oil or Avocado Oil Spray (essential for getting that deep golden color)
• 1 Lemon , cut into wedges for serving
• Fresh Parsley or Dill , chopped for garnish
• Tartar Sauce (optional, for dipping)

Instructions

1. Pat the fish fillets completely dry on both sides using paper towels. Removing surface moisture prevents the coating from becoming soggy. Lightly drizzle the fish with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried dill, salt, and black pepper.
3. Set up 3 shallow bowls in a line:
4. Bowl 1: The seasoned flour mixture.
5. Bowl 2: The beaten eggs.
6. Bowl 3: The panko breadcrumbs.
7. Dredge each fish fillet in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg wash, allowing any surplus to drip back into the bowl. Finally, press the fillet firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring both sides and edges are fully coated with a crunchy layer.
8. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
9. Place the breaded fillets in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they do not overlap. Cook in two batches if your basket is smaller.
10. Generously spray the tops of the breaded fillets with olive oil spray—this is key to giving panko its rich, golden-brown color.
11. Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes , carefully flipping the fillets with tongs at the 6-minute mark. Lightly spray the flipped side with oil and continue cooking until the crust is crisp and golden, and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) (the fish should flake easily with a fork).
12. Transfer the crispy air-fried fish fillets to a platter. Sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley or dill, and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges and cool tartar sauce on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 230 kcal · Protein: 27 g · Fat: 5 g · Carbohydrates: 18 g Dietary · Saturated Fat: 1.1 g · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 1 g · Sodium: 420 mg