Air Fryer fish recipes: hake, salmon, and crispy Ideas
Sunday 1 November 2026 15:30 - Mirella Mendonça
With just a few minutes of prep time, you can achieve a golden crust on the outside and a tender interior, whether you’re cooking hake, salmon, breaded fillets, tuna, or shrimp.
In this article, we’ve gathered simple ideas to add variety to your menu, cook the fish to perfection, and turn your air fryer into a go-to appliance for lunch, dinner, or appetizers.
Why cook fish in an air fryer?
The Air Fryer is ideal for fish because it cooks quickly and helps preserve the protein's natural moisture.
The secret is not to overcook it: fish and seafood cook quickly, so keep an eye on the texture and remove them as soon as they’re tender, opaque, and lightly golden.
To start with a simple, foolproof recipe, try this classic air fryer salmon dish:
The secret is not to overcook it: fish and seafood cook quickly, so keep an eye on the texture and remove them as soon as they’re tender, opaque, and lightly golden.
To start with a simple, foolproof recipe, try this classic air fryer salmon dish:
Hake in the Air Fryer: a complete meal with potatoes and vegetables
Hake cooked in an air fryer is a great choice for anyone looking for a complete, light, and easy-to-prepare meal.
Served with potatoes, vegetables, and a white wine sauce, the fish is full of flavor without being heavy. It’s a perfect option for an everyday lunch or a quick dinner: it looks like a special meal but requires very little effort in the kitchen.
To try this full version, use this recipe:
Served with potatoes, vegetables, and a white wine sauce, the fish is full of flavor without being heavy. It’s a perfect option for an everyday lunch or a quick dinner: it looks like a special meal but requires very little effort in the kitchen.
To try this full version, use this recipe:
Salmon in the Air Fryer: juicy and ready in just a few minutes
Salmon in the air fryer is one of the best options for anyone looking for a healthy, elegant, and quick meal.
It pairs very well with lemon, garlic, herbs, soy sauce, honey, or an Asian-inspired marinade. The fish’s natural fat helps keep it tender on the inside, while the circulating heat creates an appetizing crust.
For a flavor variation, try a version with an Asian marinade:
It pairs very well with lemon, garlic, herbs, soy sauce, honey, or an Asian-inspired marinade. The fish’s natural fat helps keep it tender on the inside, while the circulating heat creates an appetizing crust.
For a flavor variation, try a version with an Asian marinade:
Air fryer-breaded fish: crispy without frying
For those who love a crispy coating, breaded fish sticks made in the Air Fryer are a practical alternative to traditional frying.
The breading turns golden brown, the fish stays light, and the recipe appeals to both kids and adults. Serve with a salad, rice, roasted vegetables, or a lemon-yogurt sauce to make everything even fresher.
A great recipe for this occasion is:
The breading turns golden brown, the fish stays light, and the recipe appeals to both kids and adults. Serve with a salad, rice, roasted vegetables, or a lemon-yogurt sauce to make everything even fresher.
A great recipe for this occasion is:
Tuna in the Air Fryer: an affordable option for an appetizer or light meal
Tuna also works great in quick air fryer recipes, especially when used in fritters or croquettes.
It’s a practical way to use up pantry ingredients and prepare a crispy, nutritious appetizer that’s easy to serve with a salad, tartar sauce, or yogurt sauce.
For a simple and irresistible idea, try this recipe:
It’s a practical way to use up pantry ingredients and prepare a crispy, nutritious appetizer that’s easy to serve with a salad, tartar sauce, or yogurt sauce.
For a simple and irresistible idea, try this recipe:
Shrimp in the Air Fryer: quick, fragrant, and versatile
Although it isn't fish, shrimp cooked in an air fryer fits perfectly into a selection of quick and tasty seafood recipes.
It's ready in just a few minutes and pairs well with garlic, lemon, paprika, pepper, fresh herbs, and olive oil. The main thing to watch out for is not to overcook them, so they stay tender and juicy.
For a simple, flavorful dish, try this:
It's ready in just a few minutes and pairs well with garlic, lemon, paprika, pepper, fresh herbs, and olive oil. The main thing to watch out for is not to overcook them, so they stay tender and juicy.
For a simple, flavorful dish, try this:
Tips for cooking fish perfectly in an Air Fryer
Dry the fish thoroughly before seasoning:
Excess moisture prevents it from becoming crispy, especially in breaded recipes.
Don’t overlap the pieces:
Leave space for air to circulate so everything cooks evenly.
Use just a little oil:
A drizzle of olive oil or cooking spray is enough to brown the food without making it soggy.
Adjust the cooking time based on thickness:
Thin fillets cook faster; thicker cuts need a few extra minutes.
Finish with lemon:
The tangy flavor enhances the fish’s taste and makes the dish taste fresher.
Excess moisture prevents it from becoming crispy, especially in breaded recipes.
Don’t overlap the pieces:
Leave space for air to circulate so everything cooks evenly.
Use just a little oil:
A drizzle of olive oil or cooking spray is enough to brown the food without making it soggy.
Adjust the cooking time based on thickness:
Thin fillets cook faster; thicker cuts need a few extra minutes.
Finish with lemon:
The tangy flavor enhances the fish’s taste and makes the dish taste fresher.
What should I serve with fish cooked in an air fryer?
Fish recipes made in the air fryer pair well with simple, balanced sides: roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, white rice, brown rice, crisp salads, or light sauces.
For a quick dinner, pair salmon or breaded fish with a green salad and yogurt dressing. For a more substantial lunch, add rice, broccoli, carrots, or sweet potatoes.
This way, the air fryer becomes a great ally for preparing dishes that are lower in fat, more convenient, and full of flavor.
For a quick dinner, pair salmon or breaded fish with a green salad and yogurt dressing. For a more substantial lunch, add rice, broccoli, carrots, or sweet potatoes.
This way, the air fryer becomes a great ally for preparing dishes that are lower in fat, more convenient, and full of flavor.
Mirella MendonçaI am the editorial manager at Petitchef (Portugal and Brazil) and a huge enthusiast of travel and world cuisine, always in search of new flavors and experiences. However, as much as I love exploring the delights of different cultures, my mom's cooking will always be my favorite — with that unique flavor that only she can create.






Comments