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Learn the secrets to making flaky, flavorful, restaurant-quality fish at home. This Air Fryer Cod recipe is ready in 15 minutes or less, and you can customize it with your favorite spices and sauces. Pair with your favorite sides for a quick and easy dinner any night of the week.
Megganโs notes
When it comes to cooking fish, the secret to air fryer success is always high heat and air circulation. An air fryer cooks cod quickly and evenly, delivering a tender, flaky texture with minimal effort. All you have to do is choose your spice blend.
After studying all the details of seafood cookery in culinary school, I felt ready to conquer the sea. When it comes to buying cod, unless you live near any ocean, youโll probably find individually quick frozen pieces of cod, and those are great. I seek out sustainably-sourced fish whenever possible.
To thaw cod quickly, place it in a bowl with cool running tap water for 20 to 30 minutes. If you need to leave it unattended, place it in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator. You can also always thaw it overnight in the refrigerator (just place it in an empty dish to catch any drips).
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Cod: Frozen or fresh; either works here. Thaw fish overnight in the refrigerator if you have time, otherwise, to thaw frozen cod quickly,ย place it in a sealed bag under cool running tap water for 20 to 30 minutes. If you canโt find cod, substitute halibut or haddock for the cod, ensuring filets are of a similar size to ensure even cooking.
- Olive oil: Light olive oil is my favorite fat for air-frying. If desired, substitute this with avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, or even a generous coating of cooking spray.
- Spices:ย I adore my Cajun Seasoning blend (featuring paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, thyme, onion powder, and salt) with cod. It tastes incredible and reminds me of those delicious blackened fish recipes on restaurant menus. Feel free to substitute another spice blend, such asย Old Bayย seasoning orย Lemon Pepper seasoning.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degress. Pat cod filets dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, ยฝ teaspoon salt, and ยผ teaspoon pepper. Drizzle filets with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning blend, coating all sides evenly.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Transfer filets to the basket, ensuring space between the filets to allow air to circulate.
- Air fry until filets flake easily with a fork or paring knife, about 8 to 10 minutes (the internal temperature, taken via a meat thermometer, should reach 145 degrees), flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield:ย This recipe yields two entree-sized filets.
- Storage:ย Store up to 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I love to serve leftovers as fish tacos, tucked inside tortillas and topped with a spicy cabbage slaw.
- Get saucy: Air Fryer Cod is pictured here with Romesco Sauce, a Spanish blend of roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and almonds. Thatโs my favorite condiment for cod, but itโs far from the only one Iโd recommend. Try this with Chimichurri, Tartar Sauce, or Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce instead, if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cod is far from your only option. Other seafood selections, such as salmon. (try my easy Blackened Salmon recipe ASAP!), shrimp, catfish, or tilapia, taste terrific blackened, or use this mix to coat steak or pork. You can also go plant-based and Cajun-spice your corn on the cob, home fries, eggs, or steamed orย roasted vegetables. Youโll also find Cajun seasoning on the ingredient for several classic New Orleans specialties, including gumbo, po-boys, รฉtouffรฉe, and jambalaya.
I recommend a carb of some kind, like Smashed Potatoes or No-Knead Bread, plus a vegetable thatโs either fresh (Caesar Salad) or cooked (Air Fryer Zucchini). Or combine both and pair this Air Fryer Cod fish recipe with Panzanella Salad.
Air fryer sides
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Air Fryer Cod
Equipment
Ingredientsย
- 2 (6-ounce) cod fillets about 1 to 1 ยฝ inches thick (see note 1)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (see note 2)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructionsย
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degress. Pat cod filets dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, ยฝ teaspoon salt, and ยผ teaspoon pepper. Drizzle filets with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning blend, coating all sides evenly.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Transfer filets to the basket, ensuring space between the filets to allow air to circulate. Air fry until filets flake easily with a fork or paring knife, about 8 to 10 minutes (the internal temperature should reach 145 degrees), flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Notes
- Cod:ย Substitute halibut or haddock for the cod, ensuring filets are of a silimar size to ensure even cooking. Thaw fish overnight in the refrigerator. To thaw frozen cod quickly,ย place in a sealed bag under cool running tap water for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Spices: Or substitute another spice blend such as Old Bay or Lemon Pepper seasoning.
- Yield: This recipe yields two entree-sized filets.
- Storage: Store up to 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย
Iโve always been afraid to cook fish, other than frozen battered to throw in the oven. This recipe is easy, fool-proof, and delicious.
Iโm so happy tried it, and that you loved it, Kath! โ Meggan