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Air Fryer Fish and Chips

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Fish and chips are my all-time favorite comfort food but I find the traditional deep fried ones heavy and oily. My air fryer version is perfect for making crispy fish and twice cooked chips with far less oil.

air fryer fish and chips served with tartar sauce

This recipe is easy to follow, ready in a breeze, and gives you the same crunch and taste with fewer calories and less mess. You can prepare it in batches, and freeze for later for last minute emergencies.

Please continue scrolling down to find the recipe card below, which contains the complete list of ingredients with measurements, detailed recipe instructions, additional notes, and nutritional information.

Similar to the beer-battered fish and chips served in British pubs, my air fryer version has a golden, crispy exterior, while the fish inside stays soft, juicy, and tender. I serve it with homemade Tartar Sauce with Capers, a slice of lemon, and a side salad for a complete family feast!

Ingredients You’ll Need

labelled picture of ingredients for air fryer fish and chips
  • Fish – For this fish&chips recipe, you’ll need boneless, skinless fish fillets – around 220 grams each. Cod is my favorite, but haddock, or pollock also work well. If your fish is frozen, be sure to thaw it before using it.
  • Plain flour – It is also known as all-purpose flour. It helps the eggs stick better to the fish pieces.
  • Egg – It helps the breadcrumbs stick to the fish fillets. All you need is one medium egg for this recipe.
  • Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs are great as they’re light and airy, and have a larger grain than regular breadcrumbs. They crisp up perfectly golden brown in the air fryer. However, you can use any breadcrumbs you have on hand.
  • Potatoes – Yukon Gold potatoes are a top choice for chips thanks to their buttery flavor, but other starchy varieties like Maris Piper, Russet, King Edward, or Desiree also crisp up beautifully and work just as well.

How to Make Fish and Chips in Air Fryer

Important Note

Before you start cooking, note that times may differ among air fryers. I develop my recipes using a Cosori 6.8 air fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, view my recipes as a general guide and tweak the cooking time—add a bit more or cook slightly less as needed.

Making Fish and Chips in Air Fryer is extremely easy and to achieve the best results, you need to follow these simple steps:

PREPARE THE FISH

Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Season them with half of the salt and pepper on both sides. If you’re using frozen fish, make sure to thaw it completely before starting. 

Season the flour with the rest of the salt and pepper, and spread it out on a shallow dish.  In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, and place them next to the dish with flour. Take another shallow dish and put the breadcrumbs in it, setting it beside the bowl with eggs.

Dredge each fish fillet in the flour, shaking off the excess.

fish fillet covered with flour

Dip it into the egg, then coat it evenly in the breadcrumb mixture.

Lightly coat the fish with cooking spray or pastry brush to achieve a crispier finish. Avoid using spray oil directly in the air fryer basket, as it can damage the non-stick coating. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded fish fillets in the basket in a single layer.

Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish should be golden and crispy, and the inside should flake easily with a fork.

Quick Tip!

If you prefer, you can cook the chips first and keep them warm in a preheated oven while you prepare the fish.

PREPARE THE CHIPS

Prepare the chips while the fish fillets are cooking. Wash and peel the potatoes if you prefer skinless fries. Slice them into even strips, about ¼ inch thick, so they cook evenly.

potatoes are peeled and cut into strips

Transfer them in a pot filled with cold water and place on medium heat. Bring the pot in a boil and let the potatoes gently cook for 3-4 minutes. This will help to remove excess starch and get crispier in the air fryer.

potatoes are placed in a pot filled with cold water

Drain and pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen towel.

par boiled potatoes are placed on a colander

Toss them in a bowl with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.

par boiled chips are seasoned

Once the fish fillets are cooked, transfer them to a baking dish and keep them warm in a preheated oven set to 85°C (185°F). Set the air fryer to 383°F (195°C).

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed.

chips are placed in air fryer basket

Cook for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are golden and crispy. Serve your fish and chips with your favorite dip and few lemon slices while still warm.

Expert Tips From the Chef

  • For the crispiest potatoes, make sure they are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Same goes with the fish fillets. Don’t overcrowd the basket, cook in batches to allow the hot air to circulate properly.
  • Avoid using spray oil directly in the air fryer basket, as it can damage the non-stick coating.
  • Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps the potatoes cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
  • Par boiling potatoes for 3-4 minutes will help to remove excess starch and get crispier in the air fryer.
  • Thickness of the fish and fries may vary, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
  • Serve immediately, fish and chips are best enjoyed fresh and hot.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your fish and chips with classic sides like homemade tartar sauce, ketchup, or malt vinegar. A simple green salad or Easy Asparagus in Air Fryer can round out the meal. For a traditional touch, try mushy peas and a slice of lemon on the side.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let the fish and chips cool completely before storing to avoid condensation, which can make them soggy.

If made from fresh fish, you can freeze the leftovers for up to 2 months. Arrange the fillets in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Chips are best enjoyed fresh so I wouldn’t recommend freezing them.

To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the fish and chips in the basket in a single layer and heat for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and crispy.

To reheat them in an oven, place the leftovers on a baking sheet, cover lightly with foil, and heat in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–15 minutes.

Recipe FAQs

What type of fish is best for air fryer fish and chips?

White fish like cod, haddock, pollock, or tilapia are great options. They’re mild in flavor and hold up well to breading and frying.

Can I make the chips without parboiling them first?

Parboiling is optional but recommended for crispier results. If you’re short on time, pat the potatoes dry thoroughly to remove excess moisture.

How do I know when the fish is cooked?

The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Please give us a five-star rating and leave a comment below.

I hope you enjoy the process of preparing this delicious Air Fryer Fish and Chips just as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! 

Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Ayla Clulee
Fish and chips are my all-time favorite comfort meal but I find the traditional deep fried ones heavy and oily.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, British
Servings 2 people
Calories 625 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Fish

  • 450 g cod, haddock or pollock (cut in 2 fillets)
  • 1 medium egg
  • cup plain flour
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp  vegetable oil or sunflower oil

For the Chips

  • 500 g Yukon Gold potatoes (Maris Piper or Desiree work too)
  • 1 tbsp cooking olive oil
  • tsp salt
  • tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

Preparing the Fish

  • Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Season them with half of the salt and pepper on both sides. If you're using frozen fish, make sure to thaw it completely before starting.
  • Season the flour with the rest of the salt and pepper, and spread it out on a shallow dish.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, and place them next to the dish with flour.
  • Take another shallow dish and put the breadcrumbs in it, setting it beside the bowl with eggs.
  • Dredge each fish fillet in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip it into the egg, then coat it evenly in the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Lightly coat the fish with cooking spray or pastry brush to achieve a crispier finish. Avoid using spray oil directly in the air fryer basket, as it can damage the non-stick coating.
  • Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded fish fillets in the basket in a single layer.
  • Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish should be golden and crispy, and the inside should flake easily with a fork.

Preparing the Chips

  • Prepare the chips while the fish fillets are cooking.
  • Wash and peel the potatoes if you prefer skinless fries. Slice them into even strips, about ¼ inch thick, so they cook evenly.
  • Transfer them in a pot filled with cold water and place on medium heat.
  • Bring the pot in a boil and let the potatoes gently cook for 3-4 minutes. This will help to remove excess starch and get crispier in the air fryer.
  • Drain and pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen towel. Toss them in a bowl with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Once the fish fillets are cooked, transfer them to a baking dish and keep them warm in a preheated oven set to 85°C (185°F).
  • Set the air fryer to 383°F (195°C). Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
  • Cook for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are golden and crispy.
  • Serve your fish and chips with your favorite dip and few lemon slices while still warm.

Notes

  • For the crispiest potatoes, make sure they are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Same goes with the fish fillets. Don’t overcrowd the basket, cook in batches to allow the hot air to circulate properly.
  • Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps the potatoes cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
  • Par boiling potatoes for 3-4 minutes will help to remove excess starch and get crispier in the air fryer.
  • Avoid using spray oil directly in the air fryer basket, as it can damage the non-stick coating.
  • Thickness of the fish and fries may vary, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
  • Serve immediately, fish and chips are best enjoyed fresh and hot.
Keyword air fryer, fakeaway, fish, seafood

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