I used to always be nervous about cooking fish. You don’t want it raw, but you also don’t want it rubbery, and I always felt that was a hard balance. This parmesan crusted cod in the air fryer takes the guesswork out, leaving you with an incredibly tasty yet easy to prepare meal.
I love cooking fish in the air fryer, especially breaded fish. Why? Well, the air fryer gives you that amazing crunchy and golden brown coating that’s similar to deep frying, but with far less oil involved.
It also cooks your fish perfectly, and takes a lot of the guesswork out so you get that moist, flaky texture you want without it being rubbery.
To top it off, the air fryer preheats faster than the oven, cooks more quickly overall, and won’t heat up your house. So, feel free to prepare that fresh catch from the summer fishing trip without sweating it – literally! Of course, you don’t have to use fresh fish.
Frozen is perfectly good as well, and always convenient to have on hand. For best results, though, you’ll want to defrost before preparing. If you forgot, make sure to check out my guide on How to Defrost Fish in the Microwave to get dinner back on track quickly!
Gathering the Ingredients for the Dish
1 pound cod filets (fresh or defrosted if frozen)
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning (or more to taste)
2 large eggs, beaten
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Olive oil spray
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
While this recipe is for cod, you could technically swap in any other flaky white fish you’d like!
The lemon pepper is a great choice, but you can substitute Old Bay or any other seafood seasoning. If you want to make your own blend, paprika and garlic powder are great choices. If your lemon pepper doesn’t have salt, make sure to add some!
You could use shredded parmesan as well for a different texture
The eggs can be swapped for mayonnaise, olive oil, or melted butter if preferred
For a thicker breading, use ¼ cup all purpose flour to coat the fish before dredging in the egg and panko mixture
For a keto option, omit the panko and use extra parmesan instead to coat the fish
Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce if desired
A garnish of fresh parsley or dill can add visual appeal to your dish
Step-By-Step Guide to Parmesan Crusted Cod in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Pat your cod filets dry with a paper towel. This is important to help the breading stick well
Season the cod filets on both sides with the lemon pepper seasoning
Set up a dredging station with the beaten eggs in one bowl and the panko and parmesan mixed together in the other
Dip your seasoned cod filets into the eggs to thoroughly coat, then press into the panko and parmesan mixture. Use your hands to press in the breading to ensure the fish is well covered
Place the breaded fish into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer with some air space between each piece to promote even crisping
Spray the breading with a spritz of olive oil spray
Cook on the air fry setting for 8-12 minutes at 400°F, or until fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (the time will vary based on the thickness of your fish and your specific air fryer)
Serve with lemon wedges and a side of tartar sauce if desired
What to Serve With Breaded Cod
Mac and cheese
French fries
Mashed potatoes
Hush puppies
Onion rings
Salt and vinegar chips
Couscous
Basmati rice
Grits
Cornbread
Buns
Coleslaw
Asparagus
Green beans
Zucchini
Broccoli
Fried okra
Tartar sauce
There are many great sides to serve when breaded cod is on the menu for dinner!
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen cod filets for this recipe. However, it is best to defrost them before using them. This is because if you do not, the excess moisture will make the breading fall off more easily.
If you want to use frozen cod without defrosting, I recommend a non-breaded recipe instead.
What Other Types of Fish Work Well With This Coating?
Yes, other types of fish work well with this coating. Instead of cod, try haddock, tilapia, or halibut.
Most flaky white fish will work fine, so feel free to experiment with other varieties and find your favorite. Remember cooking times will vary slightly based on the thickness of your filets, so adjust accordingly.
Can I Use Regular Breadcrumbs Instead of Panko Breadcrumbs?
Yes, you can use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko breadcrumbs. You’ll get a slightly less crunchy crust, and it will be thinner overall. However, it will still be crispy and delicious.
You can also use gluten free panko if needed to meet dietary restrictions.
How Do I Prevent the Coating From Sticking to the Air Fryer Basket?
To prevent the coating from sticking to the air fryer basket, you can spray the basket with nonstick spray. However, many air fryers have a nonstick coating already, so only do this if needed.
Alternatively, you may use a piece of parchment paper, nonstick foil, or a silicone liner in your air fryer basket for easy cleanup as well. Just make sure not to block all the air flow or your fish won’t crisp.
Can I Make This Recipe With a Gluten Free Coating?
Yes, you can make this recipe with a gluten free coating. Simply use gluten free breadcrumbs in place of the panko. The texture will be slightly different, but still crispy.
Alternatively, you can skip the breadcrumbs entirely and just use parmesan cheese to create the crust on your fish, making the dish low carb as well.
How Can I Ensure the Cod Remains Moist on the Inside?
To ensure that cod remains moist on the inside, make sure to apply even coating, avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket, and avoid overcooking by monitoring the temperature as the time gets close.
You can always use a coating like mayonnaise on the fish instead of the egg for breading, which will deliver a juicy inside while holding the breading on.
Recipe Pro Tips
Try to get the coating even and thorough around the fish for best results. You want it to cook evenly, and seal in moisture!
I actually don’t recommend flipping the fish, as you’ll lose a lot of breading in the process. If you do want a crispier bottom, flip during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking so the breading has a chance to set more. Use parchment to prevent sticking to make flipping easier
Most of my cod was perfectly cooked (verified via thermometer) after 8 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. A few of the thicker pieces needed an extra 3 minutes for 11 in total. Other air fryers and fish will vary slightly, but this is a good rough guideline
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover fish in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If your fish wasn’t previously frozen, you may wrap and freeze it for up to 2 months. However, you should not refreeze previously frozen fish
Reheat parmesan breaded cod in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through
This parmesan crusted cod in the air fryer is so simple to make, yet so satisfying! With just a few easy ingredients, you’ll have crispy fish with a flaky, moist interior.
Everything comes together in 20 minutes or less, making it easy to get dinner on the table even on those busy weeknights.
Try out your favorite seasonings to find your favorite. You can also try out different fish and other seafood varieties. If that sounds interesting, check out my delicious Air Fryer Breaded Scallops for another delicious option!
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Cod in the Air Fryer
This simple parmesan crusted cod cooks up perfectly in the air fryer with a golden, crispy crust. The fish is moist, flaky, and delicious, and ready in 20 minutes or less!
1Tsplemon pepper seasoning (with salt)(or more to taste)
2Largeeggs(beaten)
¾Cuppanko breadcrumbs
½Cupgrated parmesan cheese
Olive oil spray
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Pat your cod filets dry with a paper towel. This is important to help the breading stick well
1 Pound cod filets
Season the cod filets on both sides with the lemon pepper seasoning
1 Tsp lemon pepper seasoning (with salt)
Set up a dredging station with the beaten eggs in one bowl and the panko and parmesan mixed together in the other
2 Large eggs, ¾ Cup panko breadcrumbs, ½ Cup grated parmesan cheese
Dip your seasoned cod filets into the eggs to thoroughly coat, then press into the panko and parmesan mixture. Use your hands to press in the breading to ensure the fish is well covered
Place the breaded fish into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer with some air space between each piece to promote even crisping
Spray the breading with a spritz of olive oil spray
Olive oil spray
Cook on the air fry setting for 8-12 minutes at 400°F, or until fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (the time will vary based on the thickness of your fish and your specific air fryer)
Serve with lemon wedges and a side of tartar sauce if desired
Notes
While this recipe is for cod, you could technically swap in any other flaky white fish
The lemon pepper can be substituted by Old Bay or any other seafood seasoning. If your lemon pepper doesn’t have salt, make sure to add some!
The eggs can be swapped for mayonnaise, olive oil, or melted butter if preferred
For a thicker breading, use ¼ cup all purpose flour to coat the fish before dredging in the egg and panko mixture
For a keto option, omit the panko and use extra parmesan instead to coat the fish
Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and/or fresh parsley or dill
Try to get the coating even and thorough around the fish for best results. You want it to cook evenly, and seal in moisture!
I actually don’t recommend flipping the fish, as you’ll lose a lot of breading in the process. If you do want a crispier bottom, flip during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking so the breading has a chance to set more. Use parchment to prevent sticking to make flipping easier
Most of my cod was perfectly cooked (verified via thermometer) after 8 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. A few of the thicker pieces needed an extra 3 minutes for 11 in total. Other air fryers and fish will vary slightly, but this is a good rough guideline
Store leftover fish in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If your fish wasn’t previously frozen, you may wrap and freeze it for up to 2 months. However, you should not refreeze previously frozen fish
Reheat parmesan breaded cod in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer cod recipe, air fryer recipes for seafood lovers, cod, flavorful and crunchy seafood in air fryer, homemade parmesan crusted cod, parmesan crusted cod, parmesan crusted cod in air fryer, quick and delicious crispy fish recipe
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!
