Crispy Fried Fish in the Air Fryer

Everyone loves crispy fried fish. Add some slaw, French fries and and maybe some white beans, and you have a meal fit for a king. But traditional frying is messy. The oil splatters everywhere and the smell tends to linger in the kitchen. I prefer to do my traditional frying outdoors whenever possible.

Your air fryer can turn out some pretty good fish without the hassle and mess of a traditional fish fry.

But what if you want a fried fish meal for just a few people and don’t want to go to the hassle of heating oil and cleaning up the mess? Break out the air fryer. I never knew I needed an air fryer until I got one. Now I use it for all sorts of things, including fried fish.

I hear you. All those traditional fish fry lovers are screaming “BLASPHEMY!” at this point. Most are probably questioning whether or not you can get that traditional fried flavor and crunch without oil. The truth? Fried is better, but I promise you that this one comes pretty close. It works so well that Realtree fishing editor Joe Blog even mentioned the air fryer as one of the 10 biggest fishing advancements of the decade.

While many turn to the air fryer as a “healthier” alternative to traditional fried foods, this recipe doesn’t really fit into that mold. After a quick dredge in seasoned flour, I dip the fillets into melted butter before dredging in traditional corn meal based fish breading. This step adds flavor and helps the breading crisp up in the hot air. If you want to skip the melted butter, try a thin egg wash between the flour and the outer breading.

This recipe works for any freshwater fish. I used some hybrid striped bass for this one, but largemouth, walleye, sauger, catfish or any panfish will work. So will white, flaky saltwater species like whiting.

Start by patting the fish dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper. Dredge both sides of a fillet in seasoned flour. My go to is Kentucky Kernel, available in most grocery stores, but use whatever brand you prefer or season all-purpose flour with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like some spice.

Dredge the fish first in seasoned flour, then in melted butter, and finally in traditional corn meal breading.

Run the floured fillet through a shallow dish of melted butter, then into plain cornmeal or cornmeal based fish breading. Add the fillets to your preheated air fryer basket, leaving a bit of space between them. I like to spritz the surface with a little non-stick cooking spray.

Gently flip the fish halfway through the cooking time.

Air fry at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes, gently flipping at the half way point. Spritz the surface again after flipping, if desired.

Serve with all your favorite fish side dishes.

Serve up the fish just like you would any fried fish with your favorite side dishes.