Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (2024)

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Air fryer fish nuggets is a quick homemade recipe using fresh or previously frozen cod fish fillets.

Fish nuggets in air fryer is a terrific dinner or snack that kids and grown-ups will love. The cod fillets are cut into bite-size pieces and finished rolled in panko breadcrumbs and air fry until crispy in these healthy cod nuggets recipe.

You can make this crispy fish nuggets recipe using the air fryer or the oven. There is no need to deep fry fish nuggets anymore since the air fryer does all the work, and you get crispy and delicious nuggets every time.

These air fryer cod fish nuggets are made with real fish, and they are the homemade alternative to the boxes of frozen fish nuggets you find at the grocery store. Make some extra fish nuggets and freeze them for a quick healthy dinner that you can reheat in the air fryer.

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Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (1)

Are fish nuggets healthy?

Homemade fish nuggets are healthier because you have control of the ingredients you use.

The frozen fish nuggets at the grocery store are processed and deep-fried. Processed food is not usually healthy because they are high in sodium, fat and other ingredients that are not good for your health.

Fish nuggets Ingredients

Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (2)

How to air fry fish nuggets

Cooking fish nuggets in air fryer is easy to follow the steps below or print the recipe on the recipe card

How to season fish nuggets

  • Mix flour and black pepper in a shallow dish and set aside.
  • Lightly beat eggs and the chopped parsley in a second shallow dish, and set aside.
  • Mix panko and black pepper in a third shallow dish, and set aside.
  • Pat the fish dry with a paper towel, season with lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
  • Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (3)
  • Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (4)
  • Dredge the fish pieces one to three at a time in the flour mixture, shake off the excess. Dip in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then dredge in the panko breadcrumb, set it on a clean plate.

How long to air fry fish nuggets

Place the breaded cod in air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with cooking oil; cook at 400ºF for 5 minutes on each side or until the fish flakes easily.

When is done

According to the USDA, fish are safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF.

How to cook fish nuggets in oven

Preheat the oven to 425ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the fish nuggets on the prepared baking sheet. Spray the cod fish nuggets with cooking spray oil and bake for 15 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.

If the baked fish nuggets have reached an internal temperature of 145ºF and they’re not crispy yet, cook it on broil for a couple of minutes for extra crispiness.

Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (8)

Recipe tips

  • You can use fresh or previously frozen cod fillets or any white fish fillets.
  • Ensure fish is completely defrosted.
  • Place the air-fried nuggets on a cooling rack while you cook the second batch and when you are done, add all the nuggets back into the air fryer basket to warm for a couple of minutes before serving.
  • Store in the fridge for up to two days or in the freezer for up to one month.

How to store fish nuggets

These breaded fish nuggets have the best taste and texture if you eat them immediately. They will be good in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (9)

Store in the fridge

Keep leftovers of air fry cod fish nuggets in an airtight container or a zip bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Store in the Freezer

Line a baking sheet with wax paper, lay cooked fish nuggets, and freeze for two hours. Once solid frozen, transfer to a zip bag and label with the date and name. Freeze for up to a month.

How to Reheat fish nuggets in the air fryer

To reheat fish nuggets in the air fryer, set the air fryer to 400ºF and cook for only 3-4 minutes. There is no need to preheat the air fryer, and if you do it, adjust the reheating time accordingly.

Tools used to make this recipe

Click the links below to see or buy the items used to make this recipe

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Air fryer.Perfect for making fried food with little to no oil and also gives you the convenience of a small convection oven.

Mixing bowls.This set has a cover, which makes it double function as a mixing bowl and storage container.

Instant Meat Thermometer: Takes the temperature in just 2 to 3 seconds.

Kitchen shears

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Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (10)

Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Air fryer fish nuggets is a quick homemade recipe using fresh or previously frozen cod fish fillets.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup white whole-wheat flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • 1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumb
  • 1 lb. pacific cod, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray oil (avocado or olive oil)

Instructions

    1. Preheat air fryer to 400ºF for 10 minutes
    2. Mix flour and black pepper in a shallow dish and set aside.
    3. Lightly beat eggs and the chopped parsley in a second shallow dish and set aside.
    4. Mix panko and black pepper in a third shallow dish and set aside.
      Pat the fish dry with a paper towel, season with lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
    5. Dredge the fish pieces one at a time in the flour mixture, shake off the excess. Dip in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then dredge in the panko breadcrumb, set it on a clean plate.
    6. Place the coated fish in the air fryer basket spray with cooking oil; cook at 400ºF for 5 minutes on each side or until the fish flakes easily.
      Serve with a side and tartar sauce or any dipping sauce you like.

Notes

  • You can use fresh or previously frozen cod fillets or any white fish fillets.
  • Ensure fish is completely defrosted.
  • Place the air-fried nuggets on a cooling rack while you cook the second batch and when you are done, add all the nuggets back into the air fryer basket to warm for a couple of minutes before serving.
  • Store in the fridge for up to two days or in the freezer for up to one month.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 427Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 474mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 37g

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated​, only the sodium in the other ingredients​ is calculated.

Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my fish not crispy in air fryer? ›

Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. This allows the fish to get crispy all over. If you don't have an air fryer, you can achieve similar results in a convection oven (see directions in the recipe), but I found that the air fryer delivers a crisper finish faster.

How long do you air fry catfish nuggets? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. Place seasoned breading mix in a gallon-size plastic resealable bag. Drop catfish pieces inside, close, and shake to coat fish with breading on all sides.
  3. Spread out nuggets on a baking sheet and spray with non-stick cooking spray. ...
  4. Air fry for 8 minutes.

Can I put fish on aluminum foil in the air fryer? ›

Yes! Absolutely. You just want to make sure the aluminum foil isn't interrupting the air flow too much. The use of tin foil in the air fryer in this recipe keeps the salmon juicy and the vegetables flavorful and moist.

Can you use regular Louisiana fish fry in an air fryer? ›

Louisiana Fish Fry Products has a coating specifically labeled for air fryers.

Can I air fry frozen fish without thawing? ›

Yes, you can! In fact, cooking frozen fish in your air fryer is extremely simple and quick. You can cook frozen fish filets in under 15 minutes, directly from frozen, without needing to wait for the filets to thaw, making for the perfect, quick weeknight meal.

Do you have to flip frozen fish in air fryer? ›

Cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Be sure to flip it halfway through cooking it around 5 to 6 minutes.

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  1. Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  2. Cheesy Items. ...
  3. Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  4. Baked Goods. ...
  5. Greens. ...
  6. Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  7. Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Why put water in bottom of air fryer? ›

Adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket is okay and can prevent any oil used from getting too hot. However, it's not recommended to add a lot of water as it can damage the appliance.

Which fish is best for an air fryer? ›

While you can put almost any type of fish fillet in the air fryer, this recipe is best for moderately thin, white and flaky fish, such as cod, haddock, pollock, or mahi mahi, all of which can be fresh or thawed frozen. Avoid thicker fish fillets such as tuna or swordfish, which will take longer to cook.

Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

What temperature do you cook fish at in an air fryer? ›

Step 3Working in batches, place fish in basket of air fryer and cook at 400° for 10 to 12 minutes, gently flipping halfway through, or until fish is golden and flakes easily with a fork.

How many minutes should I Airfry nuggets? ›

Heat the air-fryer to 200C, then cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches) for 10-12 mins until cooked through and golden brown. Serve with ketchup, if you like.

How do you get the fishy taste out of catfish nuggets? ›

First, try rinsing the fish in cold water and then patting it dry with a paper towel. This will remove some of the surface bacteria that can cause the fishy taste. Next, soak the fish in milk for about 30 minutes. The milk will help to neutralize the strong fishy taste of the fish.

What is the difference between catfish and catfish nuggets? ›

Most catfish nuggets are basically trimmings that aren't big enough to be sold as fillets but that have too much meat just to throw out. That's why you can usually find them at bargain prices.

What is the best thing to put on the bottom of an air fryer? ›

Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.

Is it better to use parchment paper or foil in an air fryer? ›

Laurence says she always chooses parchment paper over aluminum foil in the air fryer. Parchment paper is more versatile because it is non-reactive. "Whatever food you're putting on that aluminum foil is going to react with aluminum," Laurence says.

Can I put a paper towel in an air fryer? ›

Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.

Can you use Zatarain's fish fry in an air fryer? ›

Prep perfectly crispy, crunchy fish in your air fryer with the authentic New Orleans flavor of Zatarain's® Air Fryer Fish Seasoned Coating Mix. Pair with Zatarian's® Yellow Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice for an easy, complete meal.

What can you not fry in an air fryer? ›

What can you not put in an air fryer? 11 items experts warn against cooking in your appliance
  • Water. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Roast chicken. ...
  • Wet batter. ...
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Vegetables with low water content such as broccoli and fresh greens. ...
  • Loose seasoning and breadcrumbs. ...
  • Red meat.
Jan 7, 2023

Can I use batter in my air fryer? ›

Anything with a wet batter

Recipes that use a wet batter, including fried chicken, will end up being very messy if cooked in an air fryer. This is because there won't be enough hot oil to set the batter, and it will likely drip everywhere rather than forming a crunchy coating.

How long to air fry frozen nuggets at 400? ›

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
  1. STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
  2. STEP TWO: Place them into the air fryer basket or tray.
  3. STEP THREE: Air fry frozen chicken nuggets for 4 to 5 minutes, remove from the air fryer, and enjoy!
Mar 25, 2023

How long to cook frozen fish pieces in air fryer? ›

Brush the olive oil mixture generously all over the frozen fish. What is this? Place the fish in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees F degrees. Take it out and check if it is cooked through.

How long to cook frozen cod nuggets? ›

Preheat oven to 425ºF. Place frozen nuggets about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet in the middle rack of your oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes (flipping halfway through) or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

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