Introduction
Remember those cozy evenings, the smell of fish and chips wafting from the kitchen, and the sheer joy of a perfectly crispy bite? Well, get ready to recreate that magic right in your own home, without all the fuss of deep frying! Today, we’re diving into a recipe that’s going to become your new go-to: Air Fryer Fish and Chips. It’s unbelievably easy, incredibly satisfying, and honestly, it tastes like it came straight from your favorite seaside chippy, but in half the time and with way less mess. Grab your apron, because we’re about to make some deliciousness!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Easy: Simple steps that anyone can follow, even if you’re new to the air fryer.
- Giftable: While the fish is best fresh, the seasoned breadcrumbs can be prepped ahead as a thoughtful edible gift!
- Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone loves a good fish and chips.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful dish. Keep it simple, keep it delicious!
- 1 pound white fish filets, thawed: Think cod, haddock, or tilapia – anything firm and flaky works beautifully.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: Our base for that golden coating.
- 3 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning, divided: This is the magic ingredient that gives it that classic flavor. We’ll use it in a few places!
- 2 large eggs: To help our crumb coating stick like glue.
- 2 Tablespoons buttermilk: For a little tang and extra tenderness in our egg wash. If you don’t have it, regular milk with a tiny splash of vinegar works too!
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs give the best crunch, but regular will do in a pinch.
- French fries (optional side): Because what’s fish and chips without the chips?
- Tartar sauce (optional side): The perfect creamy companion.
- Lemon wedges (optional garnish): A squeeze of fresh lemon just brightens everything up!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying crispy, golden fish in no time.
- Preheat your air fryer: Get that baby going to 400°F (200°C). A hot air fryer is key to that amazing crispiness.
- Pat your fish dry: This is super important! Use paper towels to gently pat your fish filets completely dry. This helps the coating stick better and get extra crispy.
- Set up your dredging stations: Grab three shallow dishes. In the first one, mix the all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of the Old Bay Seasoning.
- Whisk the egg mixture: In the second dish, give those eggs and buttermilk a good whisk until they’re well combined and a little frothy.
- Season the breadcrumbs: In the third dish, combine the breadcrumbs with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Old Bay Seasoning. Give it a little stir to distribute that yummy flavor.
- Coat the fish: Now for the fun part! Take one fish filet and dredge it first in the flour mixture, making sure it’s evenly coated. Gently shake off any excess flour.
- Dip in egg: Next, dip the floured fish into the egg mixture, letting any extra drip back into the dish.
- Coat with breadcrumbs: Finally, press the fish into the seasoned breadcrumbs, ensuring it’s coated thoroughly on all sides. You want that nice, thick crust!
- Air fry time: Carefully place the coated fish filets into your preheated air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not touching each other – this allows the hot air to circulate properly for maximum crispiness. You might need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size.
- Cook to perfection: Air fry for 10-14 minutes. About halfway through, carefully flip the fish filets. They should be beautifully golden brown and cooked through. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your fish and your air fryer model.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve your amazing Air Fryer Fish and Chips immediately! Don’t forget those optional French fries, a dollop of tartar sauce, and a bright squeeze of lemon.
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ways you can tweak this recipe to make it your own!
- Spice it up: If you love a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture.
- Herbaceous notes: Mix some dried parsley or dill into the breadcrumbs for an extra layer of flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Different fish: While white fish is classic, you could try this with shrimp or even chicken tenders for a fun twist!
Tips for Success
A few little tricks can make your Air Fryer Fish and Chips even better:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: This is the golden rule of air frying. Give your fish plenty of space to get crispy.
- Thicker fish needs more time: If your fish filets are particularly thick, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Check for flakiness.
- Prep ahead: You can prepare the flour, egg wash, and breadcrumb mixtures in advance and store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Just assemble and coat right before cooking.
- Shake off excess: Seriously, don’t skip shaking off the excess flour. It prevents the coating from becoming gummy.
How to Store It
Honestly, this dish is best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer when it’s at its crispiest. However, if you do have leftovers:
- Let the cooked fish cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days.
- To reheat, the air fryer or oven is your best bet for trying to regain some crispness. Avoid the microwave, as it tends to make the coating soggy.
FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
Can I use frozen fish?
It’s best to thaw your fish completely before coating and cooking. Frozen fish can release too much moisture, which will affect the crispiness of your coating.
What kind of fish is best for air frying?
Firm white fish like cod, haddock, tilapia, or even pollock work wonderfully. They cook through quickly and hold up well to the coating.
Can I make this without Old Bay Seasoning?
Absolutely! If you don’t have Old Bay, you can create your own seasoning blend with paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder and onion powder. Adjust to your taste!
How do I know when the fish is cooked?
The fish will be opaque and flake easily with a fork when it’s done. The coating should be a beautiful golden brown color.
Air Fryer Fish and Chips
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- paper towels
- Shallow dishes 3
- Fork
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 pound white fish filets thawed, cod, haddock, or tilapia
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning divided
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tablespoons buttermilk or regular milk with a splash of vinegar
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs Panko recommended for best crunch
- French fries optional side
- Tartar sauce optional side
- Lemon wedges optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat your fish filets completely dry with paper towels.
- Set up three shallow dishes: 1) Mix flour with 2 tablespoons of Old Bay Seasoning. 2) Whisk eggs and buttermilk. 3) Combine breadcrumbs with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Old Bay Seasoning.1 pound white fish filets
- Dredge each fish filet first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.1 pound white fish filets
- Dip the floured fish into the egg mixture, letting excess drip back.1 pound white fish filets
- Press the fish into the seasoned breadcrumbs, coating thoroughly.1 pound white fish filets
- Carefully place the coated fish filets into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, not touching.1 pound white fish filets
- Air fry for 10-14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve immediately with optional French fries, tartar sauce, and lemon wedges.1 pound white fish filets