My easy air fryer cod recipe is just the recipe to turn to when you need something on the dinner table fast. Simply season cod filets, cook them in the air fryer for 10 minutes or less and add a squeeze of citrus to bring everything together. Serve with your favorite side, or toss the fish over a salad, and voilà! Dinner is served.
I use a simple seasoning blend to flavor the fish but feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices. I have a few ideas for you in the Variations section. For more air fryer recipes, try my air fryer salmon, air fryer coconut shrimp, and air fryer chicken cutlets.
Ingredients
Cod — you need 4 cod fish fillets with the skin removed.
Oil — olive oil helps the outside crisp up and also ensures the seasonings stick to the fish.
Seasonings — salt, garlic powder, paprika, and ground black pepper introduce plenty of flavor to the mild white fish.
Lemon — you can’t have seafood without a splash of citrus! You’ll also need a few lemon wedges for serving.
How To Make Air Fryer Cod
1. Brush each filet all over with olive oil.
2. In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
3. Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly all over the cod filets.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place two filets in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Open the air fryer and drizzle 1 teaspoon of lemon juice over each filet. Continue to cook for 3 to 5 more minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of each piece of fish reaches 145°F. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the remaining two cod filets.
6. Top each fillet with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Can I Use Frozen Cod?
Yes, you can use frozen or fresh fish. If frozen, thaw it completely first and pat it dry very well with a paper towel.
Variations
- Coat in panko breadcrumbs: If you want a crispy fish fillet, follow my method for air fryer fish sticks to coat the cod fillets.
- Choose different seasonings: Add different spices, fresh herbs, or use a spice blend to season the fish. Finely chopped fresh parsley, cayenne pepper for heat, Old Bay seasoning, cajun seasoning, taco seasoning…you can really use whatever you like, as cod has a mild flavor that works well with most seasonings.
- Serve with a dipping sauce: Serve air-fried cod with your favorite dipping sauce, like chipotle mayo or tartar sauce. You can even elevate this super easy main dish for a dinner party by spooning a homemade bearnaise sauce over the top!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Storing: While best enjoyed immediately for the perfect texture, leftover cod will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Pop leftovers into a 350°F air fryer for about 3 minutes or until warmed through.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Choose cod filets that are around the same weight and thickness. This ensures they cook evenly and at the same speed.
- If you have a larger air fryer, you can cook all the filets at once. But don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some room around and between the fish for the hot air to circulate.
- Preheat the air fryer. The hot air fryer helps to develop a crispy exterior.
- Don’t skip the lemon! A squeeze of lemon juice immediately brightens the flavors. Citrus is a must with seafood in my book.
- Use a different white fish. This recipe also works with haddock, sea bass, grouper, or halibut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serve with easy air fryer sides like air fryer french fries and air fryer broccoli. You can also serve the fish over salads or turn them into fish tacos!
To most accurately tell when the air fryer cod is ready, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of each filet to make sure it cooks to an internal temperature of 145°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, use a fork to gently pull the fish apart at the thickest part. It should look opaque and flake easily.
Use the air fry setting! There’s not much difference between the two, but the bake setting typically uses a lower force of air, so food doesn’t crisp quite as much.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this air fryer cod recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Cod Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer with 6-quart basket
- Small bowl
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Brush each filet all over with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Sprinkle evenly all over the cod filets.
- Preheat an air fryer to 400°F.
- Place two filets in the basket. Cook for 5 minutes. Open the air fryer and drizzle 1 teaspoon of lemon juice over each filet. Continue to cook for 3 to 5 more minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of each filet reaches 145 °F. Repeat with the remaining two cod filets.
- Top each fillet with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Choose cod filets that are around the same weight and thickness. This ensures they cook evenly and at the same speed.
- If you have a larger air fryer, you can cook all the filets at once. But don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some room around and between the fish for the hot air to circulate.
- Preheat the air fryer. The hot air fryer helps to develop a crispy exterior.
- Don’t skip the lemon! A squeeze of lemon juice immediately brightens the flavors. Citrus is a must with seafood in my book.
- Use a different white fish. This recipe also works with haddock, sea bass, grouper, or halibut.
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