If you’re looking for a quick and delicious way to enjoy cooking fish, this easy Air Fryer Cod recipe is perfect! The air fryer gives the cod a crispy golden crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky. It’s a healthier alternative to traditional frying, using minimal olive oil while still delivering that crunchy texture we love.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Cod Recipe
I really like to make this air fryer fish recipe because of how easy it is, very little clean-up is required and like I mentioned, it is a healthier way to get crispy cod. It makes those busy weeknights a little easier. This recipe is incredibly simple and quick to make, ready in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. But the thing I love most about this cod is I can get my whole family to eat it, including my kids!
Plus, it’s versatile—you can serve these crispy fish fillets in fish tacos with southwestern slaw, on a bun, or alone alongside your favorite sides like a hearty harvest salad or air fryer french fries. I also love having something to dip them in like a creamy dill sauce or tartar sauce. If you’re looking for a great way to get your kids to eat more seafood, this air-fried cod recipe is an easy win!
Ingredient Notes
- Cod: I love wild-caught cod loin or cod filets. It is light, flaky and perfect for weeknight meals. It is light, flaky and perfect for weeknight meals like these Grilled Fish Tacos with Tropical Salsa. You can use fresh or frozen cod for this recipe.
- Eggs: Helps the coating stick to the fish.
- Flour: Lightly coats the fish before breading for better crispiness. I use regular all-purpose flour when I am coating the cod.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Creates the perfect crispy coating. I think the panko mixture creates a crispy crust on the fish but regular breadcrumbs works too.
- Spices: Old Bay seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper are added to the breading mixture for extra flavor. You can mix up the spices to your liking. Some others I like are taco seasoning, chili powder, Greek seasoning or oregano.
For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the printable recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pat the fish dry with a paper towel and cut it into portions if needed.
Step 2: Set up the breading station by getting three separate bowls. Place whisked eggs, flour, and seasoned panko bread crumbs.
Step 3: Dip each piece of cod fish into the flour, then the egg, and finally coat it in the panko breadcrumbs mixture.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with olive oil to prevent the fish from sticking. Place the fish in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, use a thin spatula to flip, and cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown. Use a thermometer to ensure temperature reaches at least 145°F.
Step 5: Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or in tacos!
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to pat the fish dry with a paper towel and follow the breading order to ensure the breading sticks to the cod.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if needed to allow air to circulate and the fish to get crispy.
- Use fresh cod when possible. If using frozen, thaw it first by placing it in cold water for 20 minutes.
- Try different variations of seasonings like Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or even a pinch of smoked paprika and red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Serving Tips
This crispy fish pairs well with so many sides! Here are a few favorites:
- Serve with a side salad or green beans with toasted almonds.
- Pair with eggplant fries or air fryer sweet potato fries.
- Make fish tacos with spicy jalapeno slaw, avocado, and a drizzle of lime crema.
Storage Tips
To store any leftover cod, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, avoid the microwave as it can make the fish soggy. The best way to reheat is to use the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to bring back its crispiness.
Recipe FAQs
Cod should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
Yes! If using frozen cod, thaw it first by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes.
Yes! A light spray of olive oil in the basket helps prevent sticking and promotes even crisping
Look for cod fillets at grocery stores or seafood markets. I love using fresh, wild-caught cod for the best flavor.
Absolutely! Halibut, haddock, tilapia, and even salmon work well in the air fryer.
More Air Fryer Fish Recipes
Seafood
Air Fryer Tilapia
Mediterranean
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Seafood
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
If you try it, please leave me a star rating and comment below, and follow me on Instagram @acedarspoon for more delicious recipes!
Quick Crispy Air Fryer Cod
Ingredients
- 1 pound of cod
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
- 2 tsps. old bay seasoning
- 3 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer.
- Pat the cod dry and set aside on a cutting board.
- Set three bowls out that are shallow.
- Whisk the egg in the first bowl.
- Put the flour in the second bowl.
- Put the panko breadcrumbs, old bay seasoning, italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper in the third bowl and stir well.
- Cut the cod into the size you would like or you can leave them whole.
- Dip the cod into the flour.
- Then dip the cod into the egg and wet both sides.
- Move the cod to the panko breadcrumbs and press both sides into the breadcrumbs.
- Spray the air fryer with non-stick spray. Add the cod in batches to the air fryer and cook on 400° for 10 minutes, gently flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until the fish reaches 145 degrees F.
- You can sprinkle more old bay seasoning or Italian seasoning on the cod after you pull it out of the air fryer for more flavor.
- Serve in tacos, on sandwiches or on its own.
Notes
- You can use regular breadcrumbs if you prefer.
- You can add a 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture if you like. It adds more flavor.
- The cook time depends on how thick your cod is and how many pounds you use. The cook time I provided is for 1 pound of cod.
My very picky boys gobbled this up! I was amazed! We will continue to eat this again and again. It’s going on the regular rotation.
So glad they liked it! It is one of our favorites.
This recipe was perfect. I actually bought an air fryer with fish in mind. We have so much and I don’t mind a good fish fry a few times a year with friends but wanted something healthier but crispy. This was it! My only add in was homemade jalapeño salt to give it a kick. I also went the taco seasoning route with cumin and garlic powder. Perfect!!!
I love the idea of the jalapeño salt! Thanks for sharing and glad you liked it.
@Roberta, How do you make Jalapeno salt!! That sound amazing!! I am trying this recipe tonight so will let you know how it goes sounds amazing
I’m new to air frying. I have a Ninja. These came out pretty good, but I didn’t need to turn them. They were done after 10 min. If I’d flipped them & cooked some more, they would have been overdone. I guess each air fryer is different. It’s a learning process for me.
Interesting! And yes- they can be different. I am glad you went with your intuition and they weren’t overdone. I hope you liked the recipe!
@Julia, I use six minutes on each size checking to make sure cooked.
Made this tonight. I can’t say how it was because I didn’t get to taste it because my boys ate it all. Based on that and the fact that they asked for it again means it was delicious.
Glad they liked it! Hopefully next time you get to try it! 😉
could you share the red cabbge slaw recipe as well
Here are a couple that I have written out: https://www.acedarspoon.com/healthy-coleslaw/ or this https://www.acedarspoon.com/easy-mango-cabbage-coleslaw/ Enjoy!
This recipe with lemon ohho! just awesome.
So glad you liked it.
It’s better to dip the cod in the flour first, then the egg and then the panko. The panko sticks bettter.
@Robin, I second this method and it was delicious and crunchy! Thanks for the tip.
@Robin,
@Robin,
This was just so so for my family. Maybe it’s our air fryer (a Breville toaster oven with air fryer). Also, seasonings were bland. We opted for Old Bay to have the cod on its own with a salad. I bet the taco style seasoning would’ve been much better.
Oh no- yes I really like it with the taco seasoning because it gives it more flavor. This fish is very mild so unless you season it there isn’t much flavor. It works great with a sauce on it too–like an avocado cream sauce or salsa!