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Home » Latest Recipes » Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Air Fryer Fish and Chips

By Lisa Craig | Rate Recipe | Posted: 05/27/25 | Updated: 07/09/25

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My Air Fryer Fish & Chips is crazy delicious! Let’s be real: deep-frying at home is a mess. Between the splatter, the lingering oil smell, and trying to keep the temp just right, it’s way more effort than it’s worth most nights. That’s why I love this air fryer version of classic fish and chips — all the crispy golden outside, juicy flaky inside, and satisfying comfort food feel… but without the grease or hassle. It’s fast, easy, and totally weeknight-approved. Don’t forget the tartar sauce—my Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce is creamy, tangy, and so much better than store-bought!

Up close shot of the Air Fryer Fish And Chips on a platter with fries and lemon wedges and tartar sauce on side
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Take a trip to the seaside with this delicious air fryer fish and chips recipe. A newspaper-wrapped meal in a basket, that can be paired with some vinegar and sea salt air on a boardwalk, is the vibe you will experience.

Air Fryer Fish And Chips on a platter with fries and lemon wedges and tartar sauce on side
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What Are Fish and Chips?

This is your go-to air fryer take on traditional fish and chips, minus the deep fryer. Tender white fish filets (like flounder or cod) get dredged in seasoned flour, dipped in a light egg-buttermilk wash, and coated in a crispy Old Bay breadcrumb mixture. Then into the air fryer they go until golden and crisp. Serve it up with a handful of fries (homemade or frozen), a squeeze of lemon, and your favorite tartar sauce — and you’ve got yourself a pub-style plate right from your kitchen. Just delicious battered fish air-fried to a crispy perfection. Whether you want to whip up a quick dish for one or make a meal to serve up to a crowd, this air fryer recipe is a must. Picky kids and teens will devour the juicy and flaky fish. Additionally, using the air fryer instead of deep-frying helps make this a healthier dish with less guilt.

overhead look of air fryer basket with fish inside the air fryer
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No Deep Fryer Needed For This Crispy Fish!

This air fryer fish is proof that no deep fryer is required to create that perfect crusted fish. The first time I tested this, it was one of those evenings when I wanted something good, but I didn’t want to deal with a million steps. I had some flounder filets in the fridge and figured why not see if the air fryer could pull it off. Spoiler: it totally did. Crispy outside, flaky inside, no oil burns, no fuss. And once I realized how fast it came together — dinner in under 30 minutes — it became part of our regular weeknight rotation.

Air Fryer Fish And Chips on a table with some parchment paper under it with lemon wedges and tartar sauce
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Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Fish And Chips Recipe

Fuss Free: This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes. Busy weeknight or comfort cravings on the weekend, this recipe works any day of the week.

Crispy: You get that perfect crunch of the fish and fries without all the excess grease.

Freezer Friendly: Have a bunch of fish you want to cook up? This is a freezer-friendly recipe. Whip up your fish, then freeze it for a meal later down the line.

overhead look of ingredients for fish
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Ingredients Breakdown

Fish: You will want to reach for a white fish of your choice. Tilapia or cod are both very popular fish that are often used when making fish planks.

Flour: All-purpose flour is best, as it is going to be the base of the breading.

Old Bay Seasoning: Bring in the coastal flavors with this spice blend. You are going to find tons of flavor in this spice blend.

Eggs: The eggs are the binder agent for the recipe.

Buttermilk: Adding buttermilk will not only impart a tangy flavor but also help coat the fish and retain its moisture.

Breadcrumbs: For added crunch, you will use breadcrumbs to help create an extra crunch.

Cooking Spray: This is used to help get that golden crunch on the coating of the fish.

Fries: You can buy any frozen fries you would like, or whip up some fresh fries if you would like.

Tartar Sauce and Lemon Wedges: Both are optional and can be used to add flavor to the fish and chips in the recipe.

dredging fish in flour in a small bowl
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dredging fish fillet in egg wash
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dredging fish in breadcrumbs in a bowl
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breaded raw fish on a plate with air fryer next to it
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raw breaded fish in air fryer basket
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Air Fryer Fish in air fryer basket
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Storage and Freezing

The fish and chips will last for up to two days in the fridge in an airtight container. You can reheat them for 3-4 minutes in the air fryer.

If you want to freeze the fish, let it flash freeze for an hour on a lined cookie sheet. Transfer to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months. Then place the frozen food straight in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 375 degrees. Then flip, spray with cooking spray, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.

Air Fryer Fish And Chips on platter with tartar sauce in a small bowl
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This recipe is one of those low-effort, high-reward dinners that just always hits. The coating gets perfectly golden with just a little cooking spray, and you don’t have to babysit it. You can prep a quick slaw, throw the fries in a second batch, or just stand there munching the edges while the rest finishes (no judgment — I do it too). I’ve also played around with the breading over time — sometimes I swap in panko for a little extra crunch, or I mix up the seasoning if I’m feeling spicy. But the core recipe? Always solid.

And if you’re new to cooking fish or nervous about it drying out, this method is super forgiving. The air fryer keeps it moist and juicy while giving you all the crispy coating you’re craving.

Up close shot of the Air Fryer Fish And Chips on a platter cut open so you can see the inside
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Serving

If you’re unsure what to serve with fish and chips, let me help you with some tasty options that might hit the spot.

  • Coleslaw will add a nice crunch and tangy flavors.
  • A pile of golden fries, or even go a step further and reach for sweet potato fries for a hint of sweetness. Or opt for larger potato wedges.
  • Serve up with a green salad with your favorite vinaigrette dressing.
  • Serve with a pint of cold beer, or for a healthier option, kombucha.
  • Cucumber salad is a light and fresh side that complements the seafood flavor.
Up close shot of the Air Fryer Fish inside the air fryer basket
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Tips

Here are a few helpful tips for success when it comes to making this seafood recipe.

  • Make sure to pat the fish dry before breading, to help create a crisp coating.
  • Leave space between the fish as you place it in the air fryer. If you overcrowd, you will get uneven cooking.
  • If you find the fish is not getting a golden brown color, add a bit more cooking spray to help create a golden color.
  • Preheating the air fryer first helps achieve a crispy texture on the outside of the fish.
overhead look of Air Fryer Fish And Chips on a tray on table with lemons, parsley, and air fryer to side
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When to Serve

This one’s a keeper for:

  • Busy weeknights when you want something fast but still made from scratch
  • Friday fish fry vibes without the fryer
  • Casual dinners with kids — it’s a hit every time
  • Lighter comfort food when you’re craving crispy but not fried

It comes together in under 30 minutes, and cleanup is a breeze — no vats of oil to dump, no batter dripping all over the counter.

Up close shot of the Air Fryer Fish And Chips on a platter with fries and lemon wedges and tartar sauce on side
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Recipe FAQs

What kind of fish works best for air fryer fish?
Mild white fish like flounder, cod, haddock, or tilapia are ideal. They’re tender, cook quickly, and pair perfectly with a crispy breadcrumb coating. Just make sure they’re boneless and cut into even-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Can I use frozen fish filets?
Yes — just make sure they’re fully thawed before you start. Pat them dry really well with paper towels so the coating sticks properly. If they’re too wet, the breading will slide off during cooking.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Yes. Preheating your air fryer (even for just 3–5 minutes) helps give the coating a head start on crisping and prevents the fish from overcooking before the crust gets golden.

How do I get the coating to really stick?
Make sure you fully coat each filet in the flour first — this helps the egg wash adhere. Then press them gently into the breadcrumbs to really lock in that coating. Don’t rush the dipping process — a good breading = a good crunch.

Can I use panko instead of plain breadcrumbs?
Totally. Panko will give you an even crispier result, but regular plain breadcrumbs work great too, especially when seasoned well with Old Bay.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — swap the flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free versions. You can even use crushed gluten-free crackers or cornflakes as a fun alternative for the coating.

fish broke in half showing the flaky fish centers of the crispy fish fillets
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What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No problem. Just add ½ tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 2 tablespoons of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes — instant buttermilk substitute.

Why do I need to spray the fish with oil?
It’s key for that golden crust. Spraying both sides lightly with oil before cooking helps the breadcrumbs brown and crisp up like traditional fried fish — but without all the grease.

Do I need to flip them?
Yes — halfway through cooking is the sweet spot. Flipping helps them cook evenly and crisp on both sides.

Can I cook the fries at the same time?
If your air fryer is big enough and you don’t overcrowd, you can do both — just keep an eye on the timing. Otherwise, cook the fries first and keep them warm while the fish finishes.

How do I reheat leftovers?
Pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F until warmed through and crispy again. Don’t microwave them — they’ll go soggy.

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This is the kind of recipe that checks all the boxes — quick, crispy, homemade, and totally satisfying. It tastes like comfort food but still feels light, and it’s one of those meals that disappears fast once it hits the table. Keep this one in your weeknight rotation — it’s a no-fuss classic you’ll keep coming back to.

More Seafood Recipes

  • Crab Dip
  • Cajun Grilled Shrimp
  • Shrimp and Broccoli Skillet
Air Fryer Fish And Chips on a platter with fries and lemon wedges and tartar sauce on side
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Air Fryer Fish And Chips

Course Main Course
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
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Dish up these air fryer fish and chips recipe that is loaded with golden crunchy coating and tender fish center. Pair with some crunchy chips! Try out this easy air fryer fish recipe.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound white fish filets thawed
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • French fries optional side
  • Tartar sauce optional side
  • Lemon wedges optional garnish

Instructions

  • Pat the fish filets dry with clean paper towels.
  • In a shallow dipping dish, mix together the flour and 1 Tablespoon of Old Bay Seasoning until well combined.
  • Whisk together the eggs and buttermilk in a second shallow dipping dish and set next to the flour dish.
  • Finally, mix together the plain breadcrumbs with the remaining Old Bay Seasoning until fully combined.
  • Dip a filet of flounder in the flour mixture until fully coated.
  • Next, dip it in the egg mixture and then press lightly into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat.
  • Place the coated filet on a clean plate and repeat with all remaining filets.
  • Spray each side of the coated filets well with cooking spray.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and then cook the filets in single layers in your airfryer for 6-10 minutes, carefully turning halfway through cooking. You may need to do multiple batches so the fryer isn’t overcrowded.
  • Serve hot with french fries, tartar sauce and lemon wedges, optional.

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posted in: Air Fryer Recipes, Main Dishes, Seafood

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Lisa - Author of My Incredible Recipes.

Hi, I'm Lisa!

Welcome to My Incredible Recipes!
I’m a wife, a mom to a beautiful little girl and a cookbook author. I’m here to bring you easy to follow, tried & true recipes that you will love! Come take a look around at all the deliciousness & let’s get cooking!

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