Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillets
Learn how to make crispy, golden-brown frozen fish fillets in the air fryer or Ninja Foodi quickly and easily! With minimal prep and clean-up, this method for Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillets is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a satisfying seafood dinner to serve with your favorite side dishes!
The air fryer is a live saver when it comes to cooking frozen foods. This magical kitchen appliance is the secret to perfectly cooked, crispy frozen fish fillets in just a few minutes. Not only is it a quick and easy option for busy nights, but it’s also perfect for those forgetful moments when you realize you forgot to defrost or thaw your fish!
Whether you prefer flaky white fish like cod, tilapia, or haddock, rich and flavorful salmon, or even shrimp, the air fryer can handle it all. Plus, with so many different brands (like Gorton’s or Van de Camp’s) and varieties of frozen fish breaded and unbreaded available at your local grocery store, air fryer fish fillets from frozen are a great way to handle dinner time.
The air fryer is the best way to cook frozen fish. Unlike traditional methods like baking or frying, the air fryer uses dry circulating hot air to cook your frozen fish, resulting in a perfectly crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior every time. Plus, the air fryer heats up quickly and cooks your fish quickly, making it the perfect option for those busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy dinner solution.
🐟Ingredients You’ll Need
- Frozen Fish Fillets – Used in this recipe to make it quick and easy to prepare, and you can use any type of frozen fish fillets you prefer, including cod, haddock, tilapia, salmon, and shrimp.
- Cooking Spray – The cooking spray is used to coat the air fryer basket to prevent the fish from sticking to it. This also helps to achieve a crispy and golden-brown exterior on the fish fillets.
- Salt & Pepper – Salt and pepper are used to season the fish fillets, which helps to enhance their natural flavor.
- Lemon Wedges (optional) – Adds a nice bright and tangy flavor to the fish fillets. The acidity of the lemon juice also helps to cut through the richness of the fish and adds a refreshing finish to the dish.
📖How To Make Frozen Fish Fillets In Air Fryer
1️⃣Prepare the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
2️⃣Season the fish: Lightly spray the fish fillets with cooking spray. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the fish fillets to taste. Place the fish fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
3️⃣Air fry frozen fish: Cook the fish fillets in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Flip the fish fillets halfway through cooking. The fish is done cooking when the internal temperature is 145°F (63°C).
4️⃣Remove and serve: Once the fish fillets are done, remove them from the air fryer basket and serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.
👩🍳Chef’s Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure to arrange the fish fillets in a single layer with some space between them to allow for even cooking and crispy results.
- Spray the fish fillets lightly with cooking spray. Using too much cooking spray can result in a greasy texture, so it’s best to use a light hand.
- Flip the fish fillets halfway through cooking. This ensures that both sides of the fish get crispy and golden brown.
- Check the internal temperature of the fish fillets with a meat thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked. The FDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). If your fish fillets are thicker, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
🧂Seasoning Ideas
- Cajun – Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the fish fillets before cooking for a spicy kick of flavor. You can buy pre-made Cajun seasoning or make your own by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Lemon Pepper – Add a bright and citrusy flavor to the fish fillets by sprinkling them with lemon pepper seasoning before cooking. You can buy pre-made lemon pepper seasoning or make your own by combining lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
- Italian Seasoning – Give your fish fillets an Italian twist by seasoning them with Italian seasoning before cooking. You can buy pre-made Italian seasoning or make your own by combining oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Garlic and Herb – Season your fish fillets with garlic and herb seasoning for a savory and flavorful dish. You can buy pre-made garlic and herb seasoning or make your own by combining garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
❔FAQ
How long do you cook frozen fish fillets in an air fryer?
This depends on the type of fish and how thick it is. Generally, a 1/2-inch thick fish fillet will cook fully in 12-15 minutes. Use a kitchen thermometer to determine the proper safe temperature.
How long do you cook Gorton’s frozen fish fillets in an air fryer?
The cooking time for Gorton’s frozen fish fillets in an air fryer can vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer, as well as the thickness and type of fish fillets. A general guideline, you can cook Gorton’s frozen fish fillets in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
Is frozen fish in air fryer healthy?
Cooking frozen fish in an air fryer can be a healthy cooking method because it uses hot air to circulate and cook the fish, rather than deep-frying it in oil. The lack of oil or grease in an air fryer means you can enjoy a healthier meal that is lower in calories and fat. Fish is a great source of lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other important nutrients.
🐠More Air Fryer Fish Recipes
- Air Fryer Cod (or Frozen Cod)
- Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
- Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
- Air Fryer Frozen Beer Battered Fish
- Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
- Air Fryer Swordfish
- Air Fryer Red Snapper
- Air Fryer Frozen Scallops
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillets
Equipment
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 8 oz Fish Fillets frozen
- 1 tsp Cooking Oil spray
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Pepper
- 4 Lemon wedges optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the fish fillets with cooking spray. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the fish fillets to taste. Place the fish fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook the fish fillets in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Flip the fish fillets halfway through cooking. The fish is done cooking when the internal temperature is 145°F (63°C).
- Once the fish fillets are done, remove them from the air fryer basket and serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.
