Updated: by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments
You can make Air Fryer Cod with no breading in 20 minutes! You’ll love this flavorful, low-calorie fish. It’s one of the easiest ways to cook cod!
Isn’t it fun to cook food in the air fryer? I love the convenience of Air Fryer Cod when I don’t want to wait 20 minutes for my oven to preheat.
And talk about tasty! Like this Broiled Cod and Grilled Cod, this recipe relies on delicious seasonings to deliver big flavor in low-calorie fashion.
And the cod develops a crusty, blackened surface of savory goodness!
Recipe ingredients
Cod: Use fresh cod fillets or thaw frozen cod and dry it thoroughly first. Feel free to substitute any sturdy white fish, such as halibut, orange roughy, scrod, pollock or haddock.
Seasoning: We like using a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and salt, but you can substitute Old Bay or your favorite seasoning blend.
Smoked paprika brings a nice pop of smoky flavor to the fish. You can use plain paprika, but you’d need a little more than the amount needed for smoked paprika. Or, you can go with a small amount of hot paprika for some spicy heat.
Olive Oil: You just need a couple of teaspoons of olive oil to coat the fish before applying the spice rub. It works better than butter in the air fryer.
Butter: Once the air-fried cod is done, you’ll drizzle on a tablespoon of melted butter. We always use salted butter, but feel free to use unsalted if you prefer.
How to make it
See the card at the end of this post for the full recipe, but here’s an overview.
We tested this recipe using our oven-style air fryer. We always remove the metal rack, then line the bottom tray with foil. We place the mesh wire basket on top of the foil-lined pan and cook the cod on the bottom level.
Spray the air fryer basket and brush olive oil on both sides of the cod.
Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and salt in a small bowl and rub the seasonings on top of the cod.
Air fry for 12-14 minutes or until the fish is flaky.
Recipe tips
Cut the cod into servings so you have some thick pieces and some thin pieces, if needed. You want each piece to be an even thickness so it cooks uniformly.
Cook thin pieces for a little less time than thick pieces.
Wait to add melted butter until you serve the cooked fish. If you add butter in the air fryer it will splash and make a mess.
You also can make Cod Tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and more.
Do you have to flip fish in the air fryer?
No, you don’t need to flip cod fish over while you’re making it in the air fryer. Just let it cook on the first side until it’s done!
How long do you cook cod in the air fryer?
This seasoned cod takes 12-14 minutes at 400 degrees F in the air fryer. Thin pieces will take about 12 minutes, and thicker ones will take about 14 minutes. You can also make panko cod in the air fryer!
Do you have to preheat an air fryer?
Cod without breading doesn’t require preheating the air fryer. Just load the basket with the seasoned fish and set it to air fry at the correct temperature and time.
1teaspoonsmoked paprika(or use 1 ¼ teaspoon regular paprika)
¼teaspoononion powder
¼ teaspoongarlic powder
⅛teaspoonsalt
2teaspoonsolive oil
1poundcod fillets or loins
1tablespoonsalted butter
¼lemon(for serving)
Instructions
If using an oven-style air fryer, remove the metal rack and line the baking pan with foil. Place the wire basket on the foil-lined pan and grease it with cooking spray.
Add the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and salt to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Pour two teaspoons of olive oil into a tiny bowl.
Rub the cod and feel for any bones to remove. Use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut the fish into portion sizes, if needed. Make some thin pieces and thick ones as needed, so each piece has a uniform thickness.
Brush the olive oil on both sides of the cod and place the fish on the mesh basket. Rub the seasoning blend on top of the cod pieces. If using an oven-style air fryer, place the pan with the mesh basket on the bottom rack. Air fry at 400 degrees F, allowing 12 minutes for thin pieces and 14 minutes for thick pieces. The cod is done when you can easily flake it with a fork.
When the cod is almost done, melt one tablespoon of butter in the microwave after placing it in a microwave-safe bowl and lightly covering it with wax paper. Drizzle the butter on the cooked cod and serve with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Notes
You can use this recipe for any sturdy white fish, such as haddock, pollack, halibut or orange roughy.
If you use unsalted butter, you may need to add more salt to the fish.
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