You must live on a boat stuck at sea if you’ve yet to hear about the benefits of owning an air fryer. But for our favorite seafood lovers we are here to share the not-so-secret secret. The air fryer is a hybrid between a deep fryer and a convection oven that has grown incredibly popular with home chefs, and for good reason. We’re going to answer all your air fryer + fish questions!
The air fryer allows you to make crispy foods that taste similar to the fried version, but without cooking your foods in a bath of oil. The countertop appliance contains a fry basket that is surrounded by circulating heat, which produces a nice, crispy outer shell on all types of foods. Heck, we’ve never air fried an oreo, but we are pretty sure it would be equally as delicious as the ones at the fair.
So let’s jump into your air fryer + fish questions…
What is the best air fryer?
We are big fans of the Instant Vortex air fryer found on Amazon. There are many great air fryers on the market, but this one has a large basket, gives commands on when to shake the basket or flip your food and is intuitive to operate.
If you’re looking for an air fryer appliance that can remain on your counter without looking too bulky, look no further than the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer. It’s more of a splurge appliance but is sleek for a multi-purpose toaster oven, versatile and just worth all the pennies.
How can I cook fish for my kids in the air fryer?
If you’re a fan of Fish Fixe you’ve heard us talk about swapping your kid’s ch*cken nuggets for fish sticks many times. It’s a much healthier option for your little ones, and in some cases, your kids won’t even know! The key ingredient is fresh lemon wedges. Leave the squeezing up to your kids and they’ll be more likely to take a bite.
Your effortless air-fried fish recipe:
Ingredients:
You will need (2) 6-ounce portions of Fish Fixe Haddock ( or any similar white, mild fish)
- Panko breadcrumbs (You can use gluten-free such as Trader Joe’s Almond Meal)
- 2 Eggs
- Splash of milk
- 1/2 – 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Prepare (2) 6 oz portions of Fish Fixe Haddock according to package instructions and dry very well between 2 paper towels
- Cut the fish into bite-size pieces (1″ pieces) that resemble ch*cken nuggets
- Pre-heat air fryer to 400º
- Combine 2 eggs, a splash of milk and dijon mustard in a bowl
- Add panko to a separate bowl
- Season both sides of your fish with salt and pepper
- Coat all sides of fish with the egg wash, but be sure to shake off excess
- Dip into Panko, and shake off excess
- Using avocado oil spray, coat both sides of the fish, along with the air fryer basket. This will give the fish a better crust.
- Cook for 10 minutes or until fish is fork tender
- Finish with a fresh squeeze of lemon
How can I create a meal for an at home date in my air fryer?
Date night + air fryer might sound unromantic, but what’s better than a set-it-and-forget-it approach, leaving you more quality time with your other half?
The below recipes won’t leave you feeling like you ate a belly bomb, but will satisfy you just enough so the rest of your date night can be comfortable. Feeling uncomfortably full can be quite the mood killer!
Pan Fried Black Drum with Tomato Artichoke Ragu
This recipe calls for pan frying, but air frying is the healthier option, plus one less pan to clean! Set your air fryer to 400º and cook for 10-12 minutes until your fish has a crispy outer layer.
Sweet + Spicy Salmon with Miso Ginger Ramen
Everyone loves a ramen bowl. It’s warm, light, and oh-so-nourishing. This recipe is quite simple and leaves room for you to dress it up with whatever you like. Need more greens in your life, air fry broccoli with your salmon, or add a handful of spinach and let it wilt in the miso.
What is a top tip for cooking fish in the air fryer?
The #1 tip all home chefs remember is to spray your fish with a light coating of avocado oil spray. You’ll also want to spray the basket as well to ensure the fish does not stick.
What oil should I use?
We are big fans of Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray. You can find it at most grocery stores and it’s free from chemicals, emulsifiers and propellants.
Is air frying more healthy than traditional oil frying?
Yes, plain and simple, yes, air frying is healthier than deep frying.
The main reason air frying is preferred to deep frying is due to the amount of oil used. Deep frying requires you to use cups of oil to fully submerge your food, while the air fryer requires little to none. We always prefer to coat our proteins with avocado oil spray, in addition to spraying the basket.
Less oils equate to fewer calories consumed, which can reduce the risk of weight gain, obesity and other health problems. Plus oils such as canola, palm and vegetable are often using for frying and are highly refined and high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which can cause inflammation in the body among many other issues.
What is Fish Fixe’s favorite air fryer recipe?
That’s an easy question to answer today – Pescatarian Parm, one of our new recipes to hit Fish Fixe Kitchen and sail to the top of our charts. We’re going to admit that Ch*cken Parm is a fan favorite for many, but we are always looking for ways to get the recommended 2 servings of seafood in a week, so we swapped the land protein for a healthier option and it did not disappoint!