While we prefer making our breading or batter from scratch, you can crisp up frozen fish in the air fryer even if you purchased it already pre-breaded, heat-and-eat style. Simply preheat your air fryer to 360°F to 400°F (see the manual for your appliance), spray the basket with nonstick spray, add the frozen fish, and close the air fryer to begin cooking. Air-fry for about 10 minutes (or until fully cooked), flipping halfway. If you have the time and ingredients to DIY, try these fast, filling air-fryer seafood recipes.
Southern-Style “Fried” Catfish and Green Beans
This air-fryer seafood recipe transforms an affordable battered catfish filet into something you might expect to find at a restaurant with lines around the block. Plus, it’s done in just 25 minutes! The panko bread crumb coating crisps up beautifully in the air fryer ($70, Target), as do the sweet-and-spicy air-fried green beans. Serve with a dill-scented tartar sauce and lemon wedges to round out the surprisingly healthful fish fry.
Crispy Air-Fried Popcorn Shrimp
Air-fryer fish sticks are good. But you know what’s even better? Air-fryer popcorn shrimp, especially when you make ’em like we do with a hint of Mexican flair. Start with small shrimp, then coat them in panko, cumin, and garlic powder. Air-fry until crunchy, then dunk in a simple south-of-the-border “cocktail sauce” featuring ketchup, chipotles, cilantro, and lime juice.
Air-Fryer Scallops with Lemon-Herb Sauce
Ooh, la la! This air-fryer seafood recipe looks and tastes like it came straight from the Top Chef challenge table. It’ll be our little secret that it only took 25 minutes and 6 ingredients (plus salt, pepper, and oil) to add this showy, low-carb entrée to your dinner spread. Briny capers, tangy lemon, and peppery parsley round out the flavors of this quick and easy seafood dish.
Air-Fryer Greek Salmon Burgers
Bye-bye, beef. You’ve had your day; it’s time for air-fryer salmon burgers to enter the spotlight come burger night. Simply swap the ground turkey we call for in this recipe with salmon that you roughly chop in a food processor ($100, Bed Bath & Beyond), or use canned salmon. The rich fish pairs perfectly with the other Mediterranean diet staples in this healthy air-fryer recipe, including fresh oregano, spinach, garlic, olive oil, red onion, and feta cheese.
Air-Fryer Fish Cakes
These Thai fish cakes make for a speedy date night dinner with less mess and fat than their deep-fried cousins. You’re 20 minutes away from digging into two high-protein, wildly tasty fish cakes each. The even better news? This can be an air-fryer cod, grouper, or catfish recipe, depending on whatever is fresh at your market (or already in your fridge).
Air-Fried Salmon with Horseradish Rub
Like your favorite fancy seafood date night spot, this air-fryer salmon has a satisfying seared crust when you cook it via convection. The gluten-free, keto-friendly entrée also has an easy yet enticing flavor-boosting condiment cooked right on, no dunking or drizzling required. Before cooking, top each salmon fillet with horseradish, parsley, capers, and oil for the flavorful “crust.”
