crispy air fryer cod is one of those low effort, high reward dinners 😄 Let’s do this properly, step by step, so you get that golden crunch without drying the fish out.
🐟 Crispy Air Fryer Cod (Perfectly Golden & Flaky)
⏱️ Time
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Prep: 10 minutes
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Cook: 10–12 minutes
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Total: ~20 minutes
🍽️ Serves
2–3 people
🛒 Ingredients
For the cod
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1–1½ lbs cod fillets (fresh or thawed frozen)
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1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp paprika
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½ tsp garlic powder
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¼ tsp onion powder (optional)
For the crispy coating
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½ cup panko breadcrumbs (key for crunch!)
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¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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½ tsp paprika
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½ tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning
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1 egg, beaten
Optional for serving
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Lemon wedges 🍋
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Tartar sauce or garlic aioli
🔥 Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Prep the fish
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Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels
👉 This is crucial—dry fish = crispy coating. -
If fillets are thick, cut them into evenly sized portions so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Season the cod
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Brush both sides of the cod lightly with olive oil.
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Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder evenly on both sides.
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Set aside while you prep the coating.
Step 3: Make the crispy coating
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In a shallow bowl, mix:
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Panko breadcrumbs
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Parmesan cheese
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Paprika
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Parsley or Italian seasoning
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In a second bowl, beat the egg.
Step 4: Bread the cod
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Dip each piece of cod into the egg, coating all sides.
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Press it firmly into the breadcrumb mixture—really press so it sticks.
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Shake off any excess and place on a plate.
Step 5: Preheat the air fryer
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Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes
(If your air fryer doesn’t preheat automatically, just run it empty.)
Step 6: Air fry
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Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
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Place cod in a single layer—don’t overcrowd.
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Lightly spray the tops of the fish with cooking spray (this helps browning).
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Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
👉 The cod is done when:
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The coating is golden brown
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Internal temp reaches 145°F
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Fish flakes easily with a fork
Step 7: Rest & serve
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Let the cod rest for 1–2 minutes (keeps it juicy).
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Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
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Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
⭐ Pro Tips for Extra Crispiness
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Use panko only (regular breadcrumbs won’t crisp as well)
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Don’t skip the oil spray on top
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Cook in batches if needed—crowding = soggy fish
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For extra crunch: toast the panko in a pan with a little oil before breading
🥗 Great Sides
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Air fryer fries or sweet potato wedges
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Coleslaw or cucumber salad
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Steamed broccoli or green beans