Description
Crispy and Flaky Air Fryer Cod is a quick dinner, easy recipe, and fresh seafood meal that gives you golden crunch on the outside with tender, flaky fish inside. This healthy dinner idea is perfect for busy weeknights, simple food ideas, light dinner ideas, and anyone craving crispy fish without deep frying.
Ingredients
1 pound cod fillets, patted dry
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Olive oil spray, as needed
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Pat the cod fillets very dry with paper towels, then season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper.
2. Place the flour in one shallow bowl, beat the egg in a second bowl, and combine panko, plain breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper in a third bowl.
3. Dip each cod fillet into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lightly spray the basket with olive oil spray.
5. Arrange the coated cod fillets in a single layer without overlapping, then spray the tops lightly with olive oil spray.
6. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping gently halfway through, until the coating is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
7. Serve hot with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
Notes
Pat the cod very dry before breading so the coating sticks and crisps properly.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed for the best crunch.
Use similar-sized cod fillets so every piece cooks evenly and stays tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: crispy air fryer cod, flaky cod, air fryer fish, quick dinner, easy seafood recipe, healthy dinner idea