Air Fryer Cod Recipe – An Easy and Delicious Way to Cook Fish

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a quick, healthy, and flavorful fish dinner, this Air Fryer Cod recipe is your answer. In under 20 minutes, you can have a perfectly cooked cod filet that flakes easily with a fork and tastes fresh, light, and satisfying.

The air fryer takes all the guesswork out of cooking fish and gives you a foolproof cooking method every time. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for two, this simple method makes Air Fryer Cod one of the easiest weeknight meals around.

It also works great with other types of mild, white fish like flounder, pollock, grouper, or even halibut. Just be sure to adjust the cook time depending on how thick your filets are.

Why Use an Air Fryer for Cod

Once you try Air Fryer Cod, you may never go back to pan-frying or baking it in the oven. The air fryer cooks the fish quickly and evenly while locking in moisture and giving the outside a slightly crisp finish.

Air fryers come in all different shapes and sizes. Although most are small countertop appliances, many microwaves and ovens also convert to a convection oven (which is essentially an air fryer).

The best part about cooking in an air fryer is that there is no need for flipping, no hot oil splatter, and no fishy smell lingering around your entire kitchen. Another bonus is how little oil is needed. Just a light coating helps prevent sticking and allows the seasoning to hold on.

The result is a lighter dish that’s still full of flavor. However, if you don’t have an air fryer, make this Baked Cod recipe instead!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cod Filets
Look for fresh, wild-caught cod if you can find it at your local grocery store or fish counter. If fresh isn’t available, frozen cod works fine too. Just be sure the filets are completely thawed before cooking and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Lemon
Lemon juice helps brighten up the flavor of the fish and balances out the seasoning. You’ll use half of the lemon to squeeze over the raw fish before seasoning, and then cut the other half into wedges to serve with the cooked cod.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A light drizzle of olive oil goes a long way. It helps the seasonings stick and keeps the fish from sticking to the basket. You can also brush the fish with melted butter if you prefer a buttery flavor.

Salt
Kosher salt is a good option when seasoning cod before cooking because it sticks better and provides more consistent flavor. If you like, you can finish the cooked cod with a pinch of flaky sea salt for extra texture.

Black Pepper
Freshly ground black pepper adds a little bit of heat and depth. Use a coarse grind if you want more texture.

Smoked Paprika
This seasoning is what gives Air Fryer Cod its signature flavor. The smoky, slightly sweet taste adds a lot without overpowering the mild fish. If you don’t have smoked paprika, you can use regular or sweet paprika, but the flavor won’t be quite the same. Here is what I use: Pure Original Smoked Paprika.

How to Make Air Fryer Cod

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. This helps cook the fish evenly and prevents sticking. Some models heat up quickly, while others may take a few minutes. Either way, don’t skip this step.

Step 2: Prepare the Fish
While the air fryer heats up, pat the cod filets dry on both sides with a paper towel. This is important because moisture on the surface can cause the fish to steam instead of getting that nice, light crust on the outside.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each filet. This gives the fish a subtle brightness that pairs well with the smoky seasoning. Let the lemon soak in while you prepare the seasoning blend.

Step 3: Mix the Seasoning
In a small bowl, combine the kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix it well so it’s evenly distributed.

Step 4: Oil and Season the Cod
Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on one side of the cod and rub it in gently. Then sprinkle half of the seasoning mix over the oiled side. Place the fish seasoned-side down into the greased or parchment-lined air fryer basket.

Repeat the same process on the top side: drizzle with oil, rub gently, and sprinkle on the rest of the seasoning.

Cooking Instructions

Once your fish is in the basket, air fry at 400°F for 6–10 minutes depending on the thickness of the filets. Thin pieces might be done in as little as 6 minutes, while thicker filets could take up to 10 minutes.

You’ll know your Air Fryer Cod is ready when it flakes easily with a fork or reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

If your air fryer has a smaller basket, cook the filets in a single layer with space in between. Crowding the basket can cause uneven cooking.

Helpful Tips for the Best Air Fryer Cod

Use high-quality fish. Fresh, wild-caught cod has a clean, mild flavor that works really well with this recipe. If you’re using frozen cod, thaw it completely in the fridge and pat dry before seasoning.

Preheat the air fryer. Even if your model doesn’t require preheating, it helps get a more consistent texture and prevents sticking.

Season right before cooking. Cod is a delicate fish and the seasoning will start to break it down if left on too long. For the best texture, season the fish right before placing it in the air fryer.

Use parchment paper if needed. If you’ve had issues with sticking in the past, consider using parchment paper made for air fryers. Just be sure not to add it during preheating, as it could fly up and touch the heating element.

Keep an eye on cook time. Cod filets come in different thicknesses, so it’s a good idea to start checking for doneness around the 6-minute mark.

Don’t flip the fish. With this method, you don’t need to flip the filets halfway through. Just cook them all the way through on one side.

Garnish with lemon. A simple squeeze of lemon right before serving adds extra flavor and brightness to the dish.

How to Serve Air Fryer Cod

Air Fryer Cod is super versatile and pairs well with all kinds of side dishes. Serve it with roasted vegetables, steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple side salad. It also works great for fish tacos – just flake the cooked fish and wrap it in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.

If you’re watching carbs, try serving it with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. It also tastes great alongside sautéed spinach, green beans, or air fryer asparagus.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers, let the cod cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 days.

To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes. You can also use the microwave, but the texture will be softer. For best results, reheat in the air fryer so it stays crisp on the outside.

Avoid freezing cooked cod, as it can become mushy once thawed and reheated.

Enjoy! Mary

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