If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner your whole family will actually eat, this crispy air fryer cod is a fast, healthy win. It delivers a golden, crunchy crust with a flaky, tender center—no deep frying required. Serve it in tacos, on a bun, or with your favorite sides for a simple seafood dinner that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This has become a go-to weeknight dinner thanks to its fast prep, crispy texture, and pantry-friendly ingredients. With minimal cleanup and no deep frying, it’s a healthier way to enjoy the satisfying crunch of golden fish fillets.
Even picky eaters love it. My kids ask for this on repeat, especially when there’s tartar sauce or creamy dill sauce on the side. It’s also versatile—you can serve it in fish tacos, layered into sandwiches, or alongside air fryer french fries or a fall harvest salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cod fillets: Look for fresh or thawed wild-caught cod loin or filets. I often use Sitka Salmon Shares. Their flaky texture and mild flavor work beautifully in the air fryer.
- Eggs: Help the coating adhere to the fish.
- All-purpose flour: The first layer in the breading station to help the breadcrumbs stick.
- Panko breadcrumbs: These create the crispiest coating, but regular breadcrumbs work too.
- Old Bay seasoning + Italian seasoning: Boost flavor with a balanced blend of spices.
- Garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper: Simple ingredients that bring extra depth and a mild kick.
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray: Used to coat the air fryer basket and help crisp the coating.
You can also try seasoning swaps like lemon pepper, smoked paprika, or taco seasoning for a fun variation.
How to Make This Air Fryer Cod
Step 1: Pat the cod dry with a paper towel. Cut into portions if desired and set aside.
Step 2: Set up a breading station using three shallow bowls: Whisk the eggs in the first. Add flour to the second. Combine panko breadcrumbs with Old Bay, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in the third.
Step 3: Dip each cod piece into the flour, then coat with egg, then press both sides into the seasoned panko mixture.
Step 4: Spray your preheated air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil spray. Place the breaded cod in a single layer, working in batches if necessary.
Step 5: Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip gently with a thin spatula and cook another 4–5 minutes. The fish is done when golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
Step 6: Optionally sprinkle with more Old Bay or Italian seasoning before serving for extra flavor. Serve hot with lemon wedges, creamy dill sauce, or tartar sauce. Try it in easy cod fish tacos or alongside air fryer sweet potato fries.
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh fish when possible for best texture and flavor. If using frozen cod, thaw completely and pat dry before breading.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches to maintain airflow and get that crispy texture.
- Meal prep tip: You can bread the cod in advance and store it in the fridge for a few hours before air frying.
- Want extra crunch? Add crushed cornflakes or a bit of parmesan to the breadcrumb mix.
Storage Tips
Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes. Avoid the microwave, which can make the crust soggy.
Recipe FAQs
Cook cod fillets in a preheated air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes until the fish is golden and flakes easily with a fork.
Yes, but it must be thawed first. Place frozen cod in cold water for 20 minutes or defrost in the fridge overnight. Pat dry before breading to ensure a crispy coating.
The internal temperature should reach 145°F. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Absolutely! Swap the flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives. The result is still a crispy cod with the same delicious flavor.
Whether you’re making fish tacos, prepping healthy dinners for the week, or just craving something crunchy and satisfying, this delicious air fryer cod recipe is a winner. It’s easy enough for beginners, quick enough for busy weeknights, and versatile enough for endless serving options.
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!
Crispy Air Fryer Cod (Ready in 15 Minutes!)
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!