How to Air Fry Fish from Frozen

The air fryer is a simple countertop appliance that brings dinner to the table faster and more hands off than other cooking methods. The great thing about utilizing the air fryer to cook fish from frozen is that it frees up your stovetop to work on delicious sauce pairings and sides.  

When cooking fish from frozen, some recipes will advise you to rinse off any ice crystals or ice glaze from the fish. However, this can result in fish that has a more waterlogged texture once it’s done cooking. For the best texture, don’t bother rinsing off the icy exterior — place it directly into the air fryer basket in its frozen state. Be sure to spray the inside of your air fryer basket generously with cooking spray before beginning to cook or your fish will stick. 

Simple Tips for Air-Fried Fish from Frozen

• Preheat the air fryer to its highest setting (usually around 400F). 

• Use a cooking spray to prevent fish from sticking to the air fryer basket.

• For best results, DON’T rinse the ice glaze off the fish before cooking.

How to Air Fry Fish from Frozen

Gather your materials and ingredients: Your fillet(s), cooking spray, olive oil, salt and pepper, spatula. 

1. Preheat air fryer to 400F. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.

2. Add fish to air fryer (skin side down if applicable). Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then cook per species times/temperatures listed below. 

Suggested cook times and temperatures:

• COHO or SOCKEYE: 13 to 15 minutes (120F to 125F internal temp.)

• PACIFIC HALIBUT: 12 to 14 minutes (125F to 130F internal temp.)

• PACIFIC COD: 11 to 13 minutes (130F internal temp.)

• ROCKFISH: 8 to 10 minutes (130F internal temp.)

3. Allow to rest in the air fryer before removing for 1 minute. Top with sauce, if desired. Try serving air-fried fish from with a dollop of basil pesto. Enjoy!