Sometimes for quick and easy meals, I like to make frozen fish fillets. Slap some fries on the plate and you’ve got a fish and chips meal in no time! When you make frozen breaded fish in the air fryer though, it comes out so crispy and perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Starting with frozen breaded fish allows you to ditch the dreaded dredging station! You’ll have uniform, golden brown, crisp fish in 15 minutes or less, making it great for quick lunches and weeknight dinners.
You can cook frozen breaded or battered fish in your air fryer right from frozen – no defrosting required. The outside gets the perfect level of crunch, and the inside stays super juicy, tender, and flaky, just as a fish fillet should be!
Frozen breaded or battered fish fillets are delicious on their own with sides, on a bun as a sandwich, or even in a taco shell with some slaw. Check out these spicy crunchy fish tacos made with air fryer Mahi Mahi for some inspiration!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Frozen breaded or battered fish fillets, any brand
- Nonstick spray (optional)
Recipe Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Frozen Breaded Fish. Any brand of frozen breaded or battered fish works just fine for this recipe. I’m using Van de Kamp’s, but I’ve also used Gorton’s and Great Value brand with equal success
- You don’t need to add any additional oil when cooking, as frozen breaded fish comes with it already included. However, if you want it extra crispy, feel free to spritz a little bit or olive oil on during cooking
- Adding seasoning is optional. You can sprinkle some cajun or seafood seasoning (I like Old Bay) on your fish before cooking if you like, but it’s not needed for delicious fish
- Nonstick spray. If your air fryer basket doesn’t have a nonstick coating, then I like to spray a little in there before adding the fish. This helps prevent the breading from sticking when you flip it
How to Cook Frozen Breaded Fish in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F
- Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick spray so the fish doesn’t stick
- Place frozen breaded fish fillets in the air fryer basket, allowing air space between each one
- Cook on air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 380°F, flipping every 5 minutes, until fish reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
- Serve with your favorite sides and sauces!
Sides to Serve with Air Fried Frozen Breaded Fish
Serve your air fryer frozen breaded fish with Air Fryer Frozen Hush Puppies, Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings, Microwave Boxed Mac and Cheese, Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds, fries, or coleslaw, plus lemon wedges, and cocktail or tartar sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Cook Frozen Breaded Fish in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen breaded fish in the air fryer. It cooks directly from the frozen state without the need for defrosting.
The air fryer delivers a crunchy, golden exterior while keeping the interior fish moist yet perfectly cooked.
It’s truly a low fuss way to prepare your frozen fish for an easy meal.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Breaded Fish Fillets in an Air Fryer?
Frozen breaded fish fillets should cook for 10-15 minutes in an air fryer, depending on the thickness.
You’ll want to cook to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
How Long Should You Cook Battered Fish in the Air Fryer?
You should cook battered, or beer battered, frozen fish also for 10-15 minutes in the air fryer. The time is the same as breaded, and will vary based on the thickness of your fillets.
Note that this is also assuming an air fryer temperature of approximately 380°F. If you choose to cook at a higher or lower temperature, this will alter the time needed to cook your frozen fish.
Recipe Pro Tips
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a setting for 380°F, then it’s perfectly fine to use 375°F or 390°F, depending on what settings are available. Your cooking time may change by a minute or two, but should still fall within the suggested range
- These Van de Kamp’s frozen battered fish fillets took about 12 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. Other brands and air fryers may vary slightly
- I recommend using a spatula or long fork to flip the fish during cooking. Tongs or stabbing it with another utensil can break up the breading
- Flipping is important during cooking because it helps to prevent soggy spots from forming in the breading. You’ll get a more even cook, browning, and crispiness level from turning it occasionally
- Since most fish comes with oil in the breading, it’s normal to end up with a small pool in the bottom of your air fryer basket. If you have an oven-style air fryer, make sure the drip tray is in place!
Other Easy Frozen Air Fryer Meals
- Air Fryer Seafood Boil
- Easy Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
- How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Empanadas in the Air Fryer
Final Thoughts
Making frozen breaded fish in the air fryer has to be my favorite preparation method for this quick meal. It has everything you want from the crispy crust to the juicy, flaky inside.
Whether you prefer breaded or battered, frozen fish is so easy to make in the air fryer and comes out great nearly every time.
Keep a box in the freezer and you can whip up fish and chips, a sandwich, tacos, and more in under 15 minutes. It’s perfect for lunch breaks and busy nights when you need something fast, yet still delicious!
If you’re looking to try your hand at homemade seafood, these air fryer catfish nuggets can be ready in 15 minutes!
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillets (Battered or Breaded)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Frozen breaded or battered fish fillets (such as Van de Kamp’s or Gorton’s)
- Nonstick spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F
- Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick spray so the fish doesn’t stickNonstick spray
- Place frozen breaded fish fillets in the air fryer basket, allowing air space between each one4 Frozen breaded or battered fish fillets
- Cook on air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 380°F, flipping every 5 minutes, until fish reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
- Serve with your favorite sides and accouterments!
Notes
- If your air fryer (like my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone) doesn’t have a setting for 380°F, then 375°F or 390°F will also work, depending what yours has. The cooking time adjustment is pretty small, so you can still follow the same guidelines
- These Van de Kamp’s frozen battered fish fillets took about 12 minutes in the Ninja air fryer to be perfectly cooked. Other brands and sizes of air fryers will vary slightly
- You don’t need to add any additional oil to the fillets during cooking – they come with it already in the breading. In fact, I have oil in my drip pan after cooking without adding any of my own!
- I recommend using a spatula or a long fork to gently turn the fillets during cooking. This helps to prevent the breading from falling off like when you pinch it with tongs. That said, even if you do knock some off, it still tastes good!
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific brand used and total amount consumed, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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