American · Dinner

Air Fryer Cod

Cod fillets coated in panko, Parmesan and paprika and cooked in the air fryer until golden and crisp. Four servings in 15 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 15 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Storing and Planning Ahead

Best eaten straight away. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days; re-crisp in the air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Cod

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  1. Heat the air fryer to 200°C / 390°F for 3 minutes. Pat the cod dry and season both sides with the salt and pepper.

  2. Whisk the egg whites in a shallow dish. Mix the panko, Parmesan, paprika and garlic powder on a plate.

  3. Dip each fillet in the egg white, then press it into the panko mixture to coat both sides. Spray lightly with the oil.

  4. Cook the fillets in a single layer in the basket, in batches if needed, for 10 minutes, until golden and the fish flakes easily. Serve with the lemon wedges.

Tips for Success

  • Use a small oil mister if you have one; a light spray crisps the crumbs better than brushing.
  • If your fillets have a thin tail, tuck it under so the piece cooks evenly.
  • Do not overfill the basket; cook in two batches if the fillets will not lie flat.

Behind the Recipe

It is fish and chips with the chips and the deep-fryer left out: the same crisp, golden coating on a flaky white fillet, in 10 minutes and with a light spray of oil. No deep-fryer needed. A fan does the work that a pan of oil usually does.

Panko gives the crunch, and Parmesan and paprika give it flavour. Pat the fish dry before the egg white goes on, since a wet fillet will not hold its coating. Press the crumbs on firmly, spray them lightly with oil and leave space between the fillets so the hot air reaches every side. Do not stack them. Cooking time depends on thickness, so check at 8 minutes.

The fish is done when the coating is golden and the flesh flakes at the thickest point. Serve it with lemon wedges, a green salad or roasted vegetables. Eat it straight away. The coating softens as it stands.

What to Put Next to It

A green salad · Steamed green beans · Lemon wedges

Swaps and Variations

  • Panko gives the crunchiest crust here, but ordinary dried breadcrumbs will still fry crisp if that's what's in the cupboard.

Questions About Air Fryer Cod

How long does Air Fryer Cod take to make?

About 15 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Air Fryer Cod?

Use a small oil mister if you have one; a light spray crisps the crumbs better than brushing. If your fillets have a thin tail, tuck it under so the piece cooks evenly. Do not overfill the basket; cook in two batches if the fillets will not lie flat.

What should I serve with Air Fryer Cod?

A green salad; Steamed green beans; Lemon wedges.

How should Air Fryer Cod be stored?

Best eaten straight away. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days; re-crisp in the air fryer.

Is Air Fryer Cod suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is weight-loss friendly, high-protein, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Air Fryer Cod?

About 209 kcal per serving, with 31 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate and 5 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

The Numbers per Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

209Calories
31gProtein
10gCarbs
5gFat
1gFibre
1gSugar
460mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.