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Can you air fry halibut? Absolutely! Cooking halibut in air fryer is easier than you might think! This air fryer halibut uses a gluten free, low carb, keto breading. You could make it a panko crusted halibut air fryer recipe as well. This recipe is for fresh air fried halibut fillets, but I’ll give you tips on air fryer frozen halibut too.
Psst, hey… want to know the best way to cook halibut?
This pork panko and Parmesan crusted halibut is crispy on the outside, while remaining moist, flavorful, and buttery inside. Best of all, cooking halibut fish is easier than you might think. That’s because we’re making halibut in the air fryer.
Air fryer halibut is the best halibut. Seriously.
Aside from being delicious, you can air fry halibut in only 10 minutes or less! That’s the time it would take to preheat the oven without cooking food. So fast!
This is a flaky breaded halibut in air fryer recipe. If you’d rather make an air fryer halibut recipe with no breading, you can do that too. Just substitute halibut for the fish in this frozen cod in the air fryer recipe.
So, are you ready to learn how to cook halibut steak? Let’s do this thing!
⭐ Air Fryer Halibut Ingredients
Here is the simple ingredients list for halibut in the air fryer (with panko):
- 1 halibut filet (about 6 ounces/170g)
- 1½ tablespoons pork panko crumbs
- 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- Pinch garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Olive oil spray (or your favorite cooking spray, such as avocado oil)
Get a printable recipe card at the end of the post!
Use a piece of halibut for this recipe that is skinless, boneless, and that is uniformly thick. The piece of halibut I used is ½-inch (1.27 cm) and was previously frozen. If your fish fillet is thin on the edges, the edges may overcook before the middle of the fish is done.
Pork panko (made of crushed pork rinds) is our secret ingredient to make a crispy halibut topping. It also helps protect the fish fillets from becoming too dry in the air fryer. It is my favorite low carb substitute for bread crumbs (in terms of taste and texture). Here is the brand I buy.
You can make air fryer halibut in a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Nuwave, Pampered Chef, Actifry, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Breville, or another air fryer. Cooking times may need to be adjusted depending on the air fryer you use. Always check the food early the first time you try any new air fryer recipe.
You should also have an instant read thermometer on hand to check the halibut for doneness.
➕ How to Cook Halibut in Air Fryer
Here are step-by-step instructions for how to cook halibut without drying it out:
Begin by mixing together the panko, Parm, basil, and garlic powder. Set it aside for later.
Place the halibut fish in the air fryer basket. Mist it with cooking spray and sprinkle with black pepper. If you have an air fryer oven, place the tray in the top rack position (closest to the heating element).
⏲️ Air Fryer Breaded Halibut Cooking Time and Temp
Air fry halibut for a total of 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190C). After air frying for 5 minutes, flip the halibut over, spritz with more oil, and carefully pat the panko crumbs into the top. Air fry the crumbed halibut for the final 3-5 minutes.
Be sure to check the fish often towards the end of cooking. White fish overcooks easily in general, and the risk is even higher in an air fryer.
Check the fish with a meat thermometer at the end of cooking to ensure it is 135-140F (57-60C). Add additional cooking time if needed.
Allow the fish to rest for 5 minutes. The temperature should continue to increase during this time to reach the minimum safe temp.
This recipe makes a single serving and is best prepared and enjoyed fresh. You can keep cooked leftover halibut in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. It can be reheated in the air fryer or the microwave (on high for 1-2 minutes).
I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the panko coating loses its crispiness when thawed.
❓️ What temp is fish done in air fryer?
The minimum safe internal temperature for halibut filets (and other fish) is 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63C). Halibut that is fully cooked is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
🐟 Air Fryer Halibut Recipes
There are so many ways to season this halibut air fryer recipe, and it’s great with a variety of toppings. For example, you could make cashew-crusted halibut (or try crushed pistachios or pecans) or add a lemon butter sauce. Here are some other ideas for seasoning halibut:
- Blackened halibut with Cajun seasoning
- Lemon pepper and salt
- Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Make a dry rub with chili powder or taco seasoning
- Fresh garlic
- Onion powder
- Parsley
If you change the recipe, keep in mind that it can impact the air fryer time.
Watch How to Make It!
Air Fryer Halibut Recipe (Panko Breaded)
Ingredients
- 6 ounces halibut fillet 170 grams, ½-inch thick (1.27 cm)
- 1½ tablespoons pork panko
- 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon dried basil
- pinch garlic powder
- black pepper
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Mix together the panko, Parmesan cheese, basil, and garlic powder. Set it aside for later.
- Place the halibut fish in the air fryer basket. Mist it with cooking spray and sprinkle with black pepper. If you have an air fryer oven, place the tray in the top rack position (closest to the heating element).
- Air fry halibut for a total of 8-10 minutes at 375°F (190°C). After air frying for 5 minutes, flip the halibut over, spritz with more oil, and carefully press the panko crumbs into the top. Air fry the crumbed halibut for the final 3-5 minutes.
- Check the fish with a meat thermometer at the end of cooking to ensure it is 135-140°F (57-60°C). Add additional cooking time if needed. Allow the fish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. The temperature should continue to increase during this time to reach the minimum safe temp of 145°F (63°C).
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). Halibut is a mild white fish, which means that it is a great source of lean protein. The advantage of white fish is that they are lower in calories and fat than oily fish (such as salmon). The disadvantage is that white fish also tends to be lower in the healthy omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Six ounces of plain halibut (no breading) provides 160 calories and is packed with filling protein. Breading halibut with crushed pork rinds and cheese adds nearly 100 calories per serving. If you want to serve halibut in an air fryer in a lighter way, I recommend skipping the breading. Unfortunately, plain white fish (including halibut) tends to be pretty bland and boring in the taste department. Adding seasonings, such as lemon pepper, Cajun spice, or Italian seasoning can make it more delicious for few to no calories. A squeeze of lemon juice is another low-calorie way to add more flavor to fish if you have a weight loss goal. Please note that you may need to modify the cooking times in this recipe if you make halibut no breading. The panko provides a layer of protection to help keep the fish from drying out. Nutrition information is for one serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
FAQs
How to make frozen halibut in air fryer?
To make air fryer frozen halibut, swap the cod for halibut in my air fryer frozen cod recipe. Make sure the fish fillets are about ½-inch thick (1.27 cm), and the cooking time should be similar.
What goes with halibut?
The last time I made this recipe, I served it with broccoli, wild rice, and lemon wedges. For a different spin, you could also make air fryer halibut tacos.
Here are some other side dishes for halibut:
- Peach Pineapple Salsa (or another fresh fruit salsa, such as mango salsa)
- Costco Cauliflower Rice
- Frozen Green Beans in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
Is halibut good in the air fryer?
The answer to this one is subjective, but I think halibut is heavenly in the air fryer! It’s a hearty, meaty fish that is very satisfying. Just be careful not to overcook it with the dry heat of the air fryer. You want it to remain moist.
Where to buy halibut online?
The cost of Alaskan halibut tends to be high (see here), and it can (sometimes) be difficult to find in stores. You can get halibut online at Whole Foods through Amazon here. At the time of writing, fresh halibut costs $24.99 per pound.
Can you fry halibut?
Yes, you can make deep fried battered halibut, and it is delicious. Halibut is great for fish and chips. However, for a healthier option with less oil (or no oil) and easy clean up, I recommend air frying halibut instead.
What’s a good halibut fish alternative?
Other white fish, such as flounder and cod, are the best halibut substitutes. Try to match the fish fillet thickness mentioned in the recipe you’re using. That way, you shouldn’t have to make major adjustments to the cooking time.
👨🏾🍳 Other Air Fryer Fish Recipes
Enjoyed the halibut recipes air fryer ideas and looking for more? Here’s how to cook other types of fish in the air fryer for an easy weeknight meal:
- Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Tilapia (Air Fryer)
- Air Fried Fish Fingers (love these with tartar sauce)
- Breaded Fish in the Air Fryer (perfect for fish tacos)
Also, be sure to check out our entire collection of Air Fryer Recipes. Find out why hundreds of thousands of other readers have developed the air fryer obsession!
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
What other types of fish do you like to air fry?