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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    Frozen Fish in Air Fryer (Breaded Fish Fillets)

    By: Summer Yule · This post may contain affiliate links. · 7 Comments

    ↓ RECIPE ↓ VIDEO
    how to air fry frozen breaded fish

    Can you cook frozen fish in air fryer? You sure can! Air fryer frozen breaded fish fillets take only 12 minutes at 350F (177C) to cook without thawing! You’ll love this quick and simple dinner entrée on busy weeknights. Even novice cooks will have success with this one-ingredient air fryer recipe. Don't miss this easy seafood recipe, with everything you need to know to ensure air frying success!

    breaded fish in air fryer

    Let’s make frozen breaded fish in air fryer! It’s pretty much the easiest thing ever.

    By the way, it’s totally fine make air fryer frozen fish from the standpoint of food safety. You don’t have to defrost the fish first!

    When I was a kid, we’d always get the Van de Kamp’s frozen crispy haddock fillets. Air fryers weren’t a thing back then, and it’s too bad! Air fryers are the BEST way to make frozen breaded fish crispy, with no sogginess at all.

    Do you like free things?

    Get new recipe ideas biweekly, our 5-Day Air Fryer Quick Start Guide, and more totally FREE exclusive goodies!

    Plus, you can air fry frozen breaded fish filets in about the time it would take to preheat the oven. How’s that for near-instant gratification?

    There are a lot of frozen breaded fish options out there! Gorton’s beer battered fillets are another popular option in the United States. For this recipe, I’m using Trader Joe’s Breaded Cod Fillets.

    Tilapia, haddock, cod, halibut... whatever your favorite breaded white fish, you should be able to cook it in an air fryer. If your fish fillets are bigger or thicker than mine, you may need to cook them a bit longer. Also, some brands of breaded fish benefit from a light misting of cooking spray before air frying.

    With some very minor tweaks to the recipe, pretty much any fish in the sea becomes a good contender for air frying. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

    Jump to:
    • ➕ Frozen Fish in Air Fryer
    • ⏲️ How long to cook frozen fish in air fryer?
    • ️👪 What to Serve with Breaded Fish
    • FAQs
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Other Air Fryer Fish Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
    • 💬 Comments

    ➕ Frozen Fish in Air Fryer

    Let’s air fryer frozen fish fillets! Remove the fish from the box of frozen breaded fish fillets and put them in a single layer on your air fryer tray or air fryer basket. I was able to fit them all in one batch on the top rack of my air fryer oven.

    breaded fish fillets in air fryer

    If your breaded fish contains a significant amount of fat or oil, you should not need to use cooking spray. White fish is naturally very low in fat (i.e., it’s not a fatty fish). However, most of the time store-bought breaded fish contains a lot of fat/oil in the breading.

    ⏲️ How long to cook frozen fish in air fryer?

    How long to cook breaded fish in air fryer? It took a total of 12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177c) to air fry frozen fish fillets.

    Air fry frozen fish for 5 minutes at 350F. Then flip the fillets over and air fry for 7 minutes more. Serve with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or lemon wedges, and enjoy.

    Cooking frozen fish is so fast and easy this way! You’ll likely have food on the table in less time than it would take to get fried fish at a fast food restaurant.

    trader joes breaded cod air fryer

    How to tell air fryer fish is done?

    If you want to be extra certain that your frozen breaded fish fillets are done cooking, check them with an instant read thermometer. They should have reached the minimum safe internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63C).

    Get a printable recipe card at the end of the article!

    Frozen Fish Air Fryer Tips

    I used Trader Joe’s Oven Ready Frozen Breaded Cod Fillets. These are par-cooked fish fillets (partially cooked). Since this product already contains plenty of oil, there’s no need to use cooking oil spray before air frying.

    trader joes breaded cod fillets

    If you’re using a low oil or no oil breaded fish, you should mist the fillets with oil before air frying. The oil will help them to crisp nicely without drying out.

    The fish fillets I used were approximately 4-inches long, 2-inches wide, and ¼-½ inch thick. If your fillets are considerably larger or smaller, you may need to adjust the air frying times.

    There are a ton of air fryers and air fryer ovens out there! Your Ninja Foodi, Philips, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Nuwave, Breville, or whatever brand you have should cook fish.

    However, some air fryers cook more quickly than others. Always keep a close eye on the food the first time you try a new air fryer recipe.

    ️👪 What to Serve with Breaded Fish

    French fries are a classic side dish for breaded fish! Lucky you, I have both fish and chips air fryer recipes on this site. Here are some of my favorite recipes for breaded fish side dishes:

    • Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
    • Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
    • Jicama Fries Air Fryer Recipe (a low-carb substitute for fries)
    • Air Fryer Radish (keto substitute for potatoes)
    low carb seafood meal

    FAQs

    How long to cook frozen battered fish in air fryer?

    Yes, you can make air fryer battered fish as well! If your fish fillets are about the same size as the breaded fillets I used, the air frying time should be similar.

    Can you reheat frozen fish in an air fryer?

    Yes, you can reheat frozen fish fillets in air fryer. The cooking time and temperature will depend on the size of your fish fillets. As a general guide, mist the previously cooked fish with cooking oil spray and air fry at 400F (200C) for 2-4 minutes.

    Can you cook frozen fish in the air fryer with no breading?

    Yes! To air fry frozen white fish, add oil and seasonings first. White fish is very lean and will stick to the air fryer without the addition of some sort of fat (or fatty breading).

    How long do you cook Gorton’s frozen fish in air fryer?

    Looking for a Gorton’s frozen fish fillets air fryer recipe? You can use this recipe, adjusting cooking time as needed. Alternatively, Gorton’s recommends cooking air fryer breaded fish fillets at 400F (200C) for 13-15 minutes, flipping the fish after 7 minutes.

    How to air fry frozen fish fillets in a Ninja Foodi?

    You can use this frozen fish fillets in air fryer recipe in a Ninja Foodi with a tender crisp lid. Cook the fish for 12 minutes at 350F (177C), flipping the fish after 5 minutes. No preheat needed!

    👩🏻‍🍳 Other Air Fryer Fish Recipes

    Are you looking for more ways to cook fish in an air fryer (and other seafood)? Check out these easy recipes for air frying fish:

    • Air Fryer Fish Sticks
    • Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia
    • Salmon Patties in Air Fryer
    • Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
    • Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Frozen Cod

    You may also enjoy these recipes for Best Air Fryer Frozen Foods.

    Join our community! Subscribe and be kept up-to-date on the latest and greatest recipes. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

    seafood salad wild rice

    📖 Recipe

    Watch How to Make It!

    breaded fish

    Frozen Fish in Air Fryer (Breaded Fish Fillets)

    Summer Yule
    Can you cook frozen fish in air fryer? You sure can! Air fryer frozen breaded fish fillets take only 12 minutes to cook without thawing!
    5 from 15 votes
    Rate Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 12 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine British
    Servings 3
    Calories 280 kcal

    Equipment

    Air Fryer
    Kitchen Thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb. frozen breaded fish fillets (454 grams; fillets measured 4-inches long by 2-inches wide by ¼-½ inches thick)
    • dipping sauce
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    Want to Help?If you love this recipe, please come back and leave a rating. This helps readers and I'd love to hear from you. Thank you ❤️

    Instructions

    • Put the fish fillets in a single layer on an air fryer tray. I was able to fit them all on one tray. If your breaded fish contains a significant amount of fat or oil, you should not need to use cooking spray. 
    • Air fry frozen fish for 5 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Then flip the fillets over and put the tray with the fish back in the top rack position. Air fry for 7 minutes more at 350°F (175°C). (Air fryer ovens: use top rack.)
    • Check your fish with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached the minimum safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). If it has not, you will need to air fry it a little longer. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
    Save this Recipe Saved!

    Notes

    💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian

    This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). The Trader Joe’s breaded fish I used provides 280 calories and 17 grams of protein per 5 ounce serving. Per Cronometer, a 5-ounce serving of cod (no breading) provides 108 calories and 25 grams of protein.
    White fish without breading counts as a low-calorie lean protein. The breading typically adds a lot of calories from refined flour and added fat, turning the entree into ultra-processed food.
    In this case, you could save over 170 calories by choosing a serving of plain fish instead of breaded. You’ll also get more filling protein in your meal.
    All of that said, it’s possible to fit less optimal food choices into an overall healthy diet. I like the Diabetes Plate method for healthy weight management. This plate is ¼ protein, ¼ starch, and ½ non-starchy veggies (with just a small amount of added fat).
    If you’re a volume eater like I am, feel free to add even more non-starchy veggies to feel full. I added a HUGE salad to my 10-inch diameter dinner plate. The breading on the fish counts as the starch, while the fish provides the protein.
    If you need a higher energy meal, you can add a serving of whole grains as well. I added ¾ cup of cooked wild rice mix to my meal. The rice adds fiber, B vitamins, and around 150 calories to the meal.
    Though fries are extremely tasty with breaded fish, this duo is not the best pairing nutritionally. (I know, what a bummer!) Fries add even more added fat to an entrée that is already fairly high in fat. On the other hand, non-starchy veggies would add fiber and low-calorie volume to the meal, items lacking in breaded seafood.

    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 and depends on the brand of breaded fish you use.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 17gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 650mgPotassium: 393mgFiber: 1gAdded Sugar: 2gCalcium: 2% DV
    Keywords air fryer breaded fish, air fryer breaded fish fillets, air fryer frozen breaded fish, air fryer frozen breaded fish fillets, air fryer frozen fish, air fryer frozen fish recipe, frozen breaded fish fillets, frozen fish air fryer, frozen fish in air fryer, frozen fish in air fryer recipe
    FREE air fryer mini course!Go from air fryer beginner to pro!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. FKDIII says

      August 22, 2023 at 6:15 pm

      5 stars
      Following this 12-minute instruction, Trader Joe's Panko Encrusted Tilapia cooked perfectly in our Breville Air Fryer. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Summer Yule says

        August 22, 2023 at 10:03 pm

        Great to know! Thank you for the info and rating 😀

        Reply
    2. CS says

      August 05, 2022 at 3:24 am

      5 stars

      Reply
    3. Allyssa says

      May 02, 2022 at 9:43 am

      5 stars
      Super loved this! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Summer Yule says

        May 02, 2022 at 12:12 pm

        Hi Allyssa, thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 😀

        Reply
    4. Sara says

      January 27, 2022 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      Worked great for speedy lunch fish tacos!

      Reply
      • Summer Yule says

        January 27, 2022 at 8:16 pm

        Awesome! Thanks so much for the rating! 😀

        Reply

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