Easy Air Fryer Cod - Panko-crusted cod with crispy golden crust and a flaky, tender inside; air fried to perfection.
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This Easy Air Fryer Cod is an excellent option for those busy weekdays where you want something that’s healthy, simple, and delicious! It’s a fresh and basic recipe that’s great for the whole family, and the air fryer makes it even better.
There’s no deep frying required with this recipe! The air fryer leaves this cod with a perfect buttery, crisp crust and a juicy, tender inside that is great for dinner any night of the week.
HOW TO MAKE COD IN THE AIR FRYER
Before you get started, grab the following ingredients:
- Fresh cod filets
- Salt
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
- Butter
PREPARING THE COD
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, prepare your air fryer basket by spraying it with olive oil.
Follow the steps below for a quick and simple dinner recipe!
- Season both sides of the filets with ¾ teaspoon salt and lemon pepper seasoning.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pour in melted butter and mix until combined.
- Press the crust mixture onto both sides of the filet and place them in your prepared air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 360ºF for 6-8 minutes on each side. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the filets.
You'll know the fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
TIPS FOR MAKING COD IN THE AIR FRYER
- Make sure to season the cod generously and coat every part of it thoroughly! This will ensure that the cod is flavorful and crisp.
- Don’t overcrowd the fish in the air fryer. Make sure the filets have enough space between each other so that they can properly "fry."
- Depending on the thickness of the cod filets, they can take shorter or longer to fully cook. A good way to check if your cod is ready is to use an internal meat thermometer and make sure the inside of the cod is at 145ºF.
- Using fresh, good-quality cod will ensure the best flavor and taste!
WHAT'S A QUICK WAY TO THAW FROZEN COD?
A quick way to thaw vacuum sealed cod is in a bowl of room temperature water for 10-15 minutes. You can also defrost the fish overnight in the refrigerator.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT FISH FROM STICKING TO THE AIR FRYER COOKING BASKET?
To prevent cod from sticking to the air fryer basket, you can lightly coat the basket with olive oil. You can also place parchment paper liners in the basket before cooking.
WHAT SIDE DISHES GO BEST WITH COD?
Rice, roasted potatoes, or a vegetable like asparagus will go great with this air fryer cod. You might also want to try topping it with a bit of tartar sauce!
WHAT OTHER TYPES OF FISH ARE GOOD FOR AIR FRYING?
Our family loves cod because it has a mild flavor and is even slightly sweet, but there are many other types of fish that will work just as well with this recipe like pollock, tilapia or haddock.
HOW DO YOU STORE LEFTOVER FRIED FISH?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for around 2-3 days, however, the cod will probably best eaten the next day.
When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, just reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Easy Air Fryer Cod
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh cod filets
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Instructions
- Prepare air fryer basket by spraying it with cooking spray.
- Season both sides of filets with ¾ teaspoon salt and lemon pepper seasoning.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Pour in melted butter and mix until combined.
- Press crust mixture onto both sides of filet and place them in your prepared air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 360ºF for 6-8 minutes on each side. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the filets.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd your fish in the air fryer or they won’t cook evenly.
- Keep an eye on your cod as the thickness may change the cook time.
- Season the cod generously and coat thoroughly.
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