The Best Crispy Air Fryer Cod

Discover the Best Crispy Air Fryer Cod recipe! Enjoy tender, flaky cod encased in a crunchy panko crust that’s perfectly flaky inside and irresistibly crispy on the outside.

This air fryer recipe takes seasoned cod, dredged in egg and coated in flavorful panko breadcrumbs before it’s placed in the air fryer and fried to perfection.

The cod turns out super moist and flaky with an uber crispy crust that begs for a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This recipe takes just minutes to prepare so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend. Leftovers of this air fryer cod fish taste great cold the next day.

Why use cod?

Cod is an excellent choice for air frying fish because it emerges light, flaky, and incredibly moist. Unlike some other white fish, it maintains its structure throughout the cooking process, ensuring the breading stays perfectly intact. This makes it an ideal option for achieving deliciously crispy air fried fish every time.

Why air fry?

The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping up the fish without the need for oil. Air frying is a much healthier way to enjoy fried fish as the air fryer circulates hot air around the food so you get even cooking, and the fish gets crispy on all sides.

If you don’t have an air fryer you can bake the filets on a lightly greased baking sheet at a high temperature, flipping halfway through so both sides crisp up.

Ingredients

• Cod: Pick up cod filets or debone and cut a whole cod into thin filets. Frozen cod also works just make sure to thaw it and pat it dry of excess moisture.
• Eggs: Any type of eggs will work for dipping the cod so the breadcrumbs stick.
• Breadcrumbs: Use panko breadcrumbs for the utmost crispiness; seasoned or unseasoned are both good options.
• Old bay seasoning: Old bay seasoning adds a light sweet, spicy and savory flavor to the cod. If you can’t find old bay use Cajun spices or your preferred spices.
• Salt and pepper: Season the cod with salt and pepper to taste.
• Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must with this cod recipe.
• Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh flavor.

How To Cook Cod In Air Fryer

• Sprinkle the cod on both sides with salt, pepper and old bay seasoning and then set it aside.
• In two separate bowls prepare one with the beaten eggs and one with the panko breadcrumbs.
• Take the seasoned cod filets and dip them in the egg and then into the panko breadcrumbs, taking care to ensure each filet is fully coated on both sides.
• Place the filets in the air fryer basket and cook until the cod is flaky and fork tender.
• Before serving, drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley.

Storage

Store leftovers of this air fryer cod recipe in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or pop the fish back into the air fryer. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months but if you’ve used previously frozen cod the texture may be difference once frozen and thawed again. To defrost, place in the fridge overnight.

What to serve with air fryer cod fish?

This breaded cod in air fryer recipe goes with so many different dishes, here are a few things that would pair nicely:

Start you meal with this Brussel Sprout Kale Salad or this Watermelon Feta Salad.

Serve with a side of Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes or Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. This Garlic Fried Rice with Swiss Chard or any type of rice is also a great pairing for this cod recipe.

Follow with this Tropical Summer Fruit Salad or these or these Cottage Cheese Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Pops.