Learn how to cook air fryer swordfish! This easy airfryer swordfish recipe is delicious and cooks in only 10 minutes. Get tips on cooking swordfish, including the safe swordfish internal temp (spoiler: it’s 145F or 63C), and lots more. My air fryer swordfish steak recipe is the best way to cook swordfish. Try it for dinner and you’ll see why!
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⭐ Air Fryer Swordfish Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make my recipe for swordfish steaks:
- 12 oz swordfish steaks (340 grams, 2 steaks, 1-inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (you can also use lime juice)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
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I tested this recipe with a small air fryer, and I also made Ninja air fryer swordfish. This recipe works well in a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Nuwave, Kalorik air fryer oven, Pampered Chef, Actifry, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Breville, or another air fryer too.
However, cooking times will need to be adjusted depending on the air fryer you use and the thickness of the swordfish fillet. Always check the food early the first time you try any new air fryer recipe. A small air fryer basket tends to cook faster than a large air fryer oven.
Aside from an air fryer, the equipment you need for this recipe includes:
- Pastry brush
- Whisk
- Meat thermometer
Don't use parchment paper, foil, or another air fryer liner for this recipe. They can make it harder for the hot air to properly circulate around the fish.
➕ How Long to Cook Swordfish in Air Fryer
How long should you cook swordfish in the air fryer? What's the swordfish air fryer temp? This swordfish airfryer recipe cooks for 10-16 minutes at 400F (200C).
Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to cook swordfish:
- Put the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk it together.
- Brush half of this marinade on two swordfish steaks. Then flip the swordfish and brush the rest of the marinade on the tops and sides of the fish.
- Place swordfish in the air fryer and air fry for 10-16 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C), flipping the fish halfway through cooking time. My small air fryer takes 10 minutes total to cook the fish, while my air fryer oven takes 16 minutes (using the top rack). There’s no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.
- Check the fish with a meat thermometer to ensure it reached the minimum safe internal temperature of 145F (63C). Add cooking time if needed, but don’t overcook it! Let the fish rest for a few minutes after cooking and serve with lemon wedges.
According to the USDA, leftover fish lasts up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. However, I’d play it safe and try to consume it within 1-2 days. Make sure to use a covered container so the aroma of seafood doesn’t transfer to other fridge foods.
What temperature should you cook swordfish at?
I prefer to air fry swordfish quickly at 400F (200C). This temperature allows it to cook through without drying the fish out.
🌡️ How do you know when swordfish is done?
How do you tell if swordfish is cooked all the way? A meat thermometer is the best way to check the doneness of swordfish, not the color of the fish. Properly cooked swordfish should be opaque, flaky, and have reached a minimum safe temp of 145F (63C).
That said, it’s very important not to overcook swordfish. I usually pull it out of the air fryer when it has reached the 140-145F range. Keep in mind the temp of the fish will continue to rise for a few minutes after removing it from the air fryer.
🥗 What goes well with swordfish?
I usually serve swordfish with a big salad, and sometimes a carbohydrate such as rice or sweet potatoes. Here are a few of my favorite side dishes for swordfish:
- How to Microwave Vegetables
- Vegan Spinach Salad
- Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
- Costco Cauliflower Rice
- Protein Biscuits
- Potato Rice
Another idea is to cut the fish into air fryer swordfish chunks, and make a bowl meal. Simply add your favorite grains, veggies, and a fresh fruit salsa. Yummy!
FAQs
No, do not rinse fish, including swordfish, prior to cooking. Doing so may actually spread bad bacteria instead of eliminating it (source).
For the best results, frozen swordfish steaks should be thawed before cooking. To thaw frozen swordfish, preheat the air fryer to 375F (190C) for 5 minutes. Place the frozen fish in the air fryer in a single layer, and air fry for 4 minutes to thaw. (This partially cooks the fish, so recipe times will be shortened.)
Unfortunately, worms can infect swordfish (and other types of fish as well). Cooking swordfish to a safe temperature is the best way to minimize the risk of these parasites (source). Freezing fish (as you would for ceviche) does a better job killing certain types of parasites than others.
The dark part of swordfish is safe to eat, though it may taste stronger than other parts of the fish. According to the Food Network, the freshest swordfish will have a reddish streak, not brown. You can cut away the dark area on swordfish if you don’t like the taste.
Yes, according to Epicurious, you can safely eat the skin of swordfish. However, it’s generally thought not to be very tasty.
In this recipe, we’re quickly brushing the marinade on the fish instead of having a long marinating period. If you don’t like the flavors in my marinade, try teriyaki swordfish in air fryer, or make a marinade with lemon and rosemary. Another option is to use seasonings like lemon pepper, or make blackened swordfish in air fryer.
👨🏾🍳 More Air Fryer Fish Recipes
Here are some more air fryer recipes for fish you may enjoy:
- Air Fryer Catfish
- Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
- Frozen Fish in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Tilapia
- Air Fryer Tuna Steak
👩🍳 Other Swordfish Recipes
Here are a few more ways to cook swordfish:
- How to Cook Swordfish in the Oven: Preheat the oven to 425F (218C). Brush swordfish steaks with marinade, and place them in a greased baking dish. Bake swordfish for 12-15 minutes, or until a safe internal temp of 165F (63C) is reached.
- How Long to Broil Swordfish: The swordfish broiling time depends on the thickness of the fish and how close it is to the broiler. In general, according to Epicurious, broiled swordfish takes approximately 2 minutes per side in a preheated broiler.
- Grilled Swordfish: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Baste thawed swordfish steaks with marinade and grill for 5 minutes. Then flip the swordfish, and grill for 2-3 more minutes, basting frequently.
- Instant Pot Swordfish: You can make this sous vide swordfish in an Instant Pot with a sous vide function.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Swordfish Steaks Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces swordfish steaks 340 grams, 2 steaks, 1-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Put the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk it together.
- Brush half of this marinade on two swordfish steaks. Then flip the swordfish and brush the rest of the marinade on the tops and sides of the fish.
- Place swordfish in the air fryer and air fry for 10-16 minutes at 400℉ (200°C), flipping the fish halfway through cooking time. My small air fryer takes 10 minutes total to cook the fish, while my air fryer oven takes 16 minutes (using the top rack). There’s no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.
- Check the fish with a meat thermometer to ensure it reached the minimum safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Add cooking time if needed, but don’t overcook it! Let the fish rest for a few minutes after cooking and serve with lemon wedges.
Video
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). If you’ve been looking for nutritious protein sources to add to meals, swordfish can help. The Dietary Guidelines recommends that adults eat at least 8 ounces of seafood per week (source). Most Americans do not meet this goal. What does swordfish taste like? Swordfish is meaty like a steak and has a mildly fishy flavor. IMVHO swordfish is good eating and one of my favorite seafood options based on taste. You can easily make this recipe a low carb or low calorie meal by adding a garden salad on the side. Dial up the energy for family dinners by adding a grain or bread to your meal too. Some types of swordfish are sustainable seafood choices, while others are not. It depends on where and how the fish were caught. Check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch List if you’re interested in sustainability.Who should not eat swordfish?
According to the FDA, children ages 1-11, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, should avoid swordfish. This is because swordfish is a high mercury fish. Unfortunately, it’s one of the fish with the highest mercury levels. Because of this, even if you aren’t part of a group that should avoid it, it’s still good to enjoy swordfish in moderation. If you like fish, there are many other options out there that are much lower in mercury (such as salmon, tilapia, and light tuna).The 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 wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much. For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to my overnight oats no sugar post. Let's get cooking! Nutrition information is for one serving.Nutrition
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