Description
This Air Fryer Cod Recipe delivers perfectly cooked, flaky fish with a crispy exterior in just 18 minutes. The blend of spices and a touch of lemon create a delicious, healthy meal that’s both quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the cod: Brush each filet all over with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- In this step, you’re coating the fish with a thin layer of oil to help the seasonings stick and promote browning in the air fryer.
- Season the fish: In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Sprinkle evenly all over the cod filets.
- Mixing the spices ensures an even distribution of flavors. The combination of salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper creates a savory and slightly spicy coating for the cod.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F.
- Preheating is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior on the fish. It ensures that the cod starts cooking immediately when placed in the basket.
- Cook the cod: Place two filets in the basket. Cook for 5 minutes. Open the air fryer and drizzle 1 teaspoon of lemon juice over each filet. Continue to cook for 3 to 5 more minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of each filet reaches 145 °F. Repeat with the remaining two cod filets.
- Cooking in batches prevents overcrowding, which could lead to uneven cooking. The lemon juice added halfway through cooking infuses the fish with a bright, citrusy flavor. Using a thermometer ensures the fish is cooked to a safe temperature without overcooking.
- Serve: Top each fillet with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
- The fresh parsley adds color and a fresh herb flavor, while additional lemon wedges allow diners to adjust the citrus flavor to their liking.
Notes
- Choose cod filets of similar weight and thickness for even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave space for air circulation.
- Preheat the air fryer for a crispy exterior.
- The lemon juice is crucial for brightening the flavors.
- This recipe also works well with haddock, sea bass, grouper, or halibut.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 164g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 73mg
