Air-Fryer Cod

Total Time
Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Updated on Feb. 17, 2025

This delicious, flaky air-fryer cod with a simple marinade can be ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick, healthy dinner or meal prep, this recipe offers bold flavor with minimal effort.

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Everyone with an air fryer knows that it’s great at making crispy appetizers or reheating leftover pizza, but it’s also a tool that can be instrumental in making healthy meals. If you’re looking for a quick and healthy dinner option, fire up the air fryer to make simple, satisfying and juicy cod. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a delicious, flaky fish entree that’s full of flavor, and the way the heat of the air fryer surrounds delicate fish fillets gives them a perfectly tender texture.

This simple marinated fish is an ideal recipe for busy weeknights, or when you need to make something light and nutritious quickly. Whether you’re meal prepping, hosting a casual dinner or just craving something light and satisfying, this air-fryer cod dish fits any occasion.

Ingredients for Air-Fryer Cod

  • Fat-free Italian salad dressing: The salad dressing acts as the base of the marinade, providing moisture and tangy flavor to the cod while also helping the spices adhere.
  • Sugar: Just a bit of sugar adds a hint of sweetness that balances the acidity of the salad dressing and enhances the overall flavor.
  • Spices: Garlic powder contributes a savory, pungent flavor that complements the mild taste of the cod. Curry powder adds a warm, earthy spice that adds depth and complexity to the dish, and paprika imparts a subtle smokiness and a hint of color.
  • Cod fillets: Cod is a mild, flaky fish that absorbs the flavors of the marinade well and becomes juicy and tender when cooked.
  • Butter: A bit of butter melts over the cooked fish, adding richness and a smooth, savory finish.

Directions

Step 1: Marinate the cod

Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. In a shallow bowl, mix the Italian salad dressing, sugar, salt, garlic powder, curry powder, paprika and pepper. Add the cod, turning to coat. Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 2: Air-fry the cod

Place the marinated cod fillets in a single layer on a greased tray in the air-fryer basket, then discard any remaining marinade. Cook the fish until it just begins to flake easily with a fork, 8 to 10 minutes. Top it with butter.

Two golden-brown baked fish fillets on a white plate. The fillets are drizzled with a light sauce. A fork and knife are placed on a beige napkin to the right of the plate. The background is a soft pinkish hue.Taste of Home

Air-Fryer Cod Variations

  • Swap the seasoning: Use lemon pepper and dill weed in place of the curry powder and paprika for a bright, citrusy flavor.
  • Add bread crumbs: Coat the marinated cod with panko bread crumbs and spritz them with cooking spray before air-frying to give the fish a crispy, golden crust.
  • Use another dressing: Replace the Italian dressing with lemon vinaigrette or green goddess dressing for a tangy or creamy profile.

How to Store Air-Fryer Cod

To store leftover air-fryer cod, let the fillets cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. Refrigerate the fish for up to three days.

How do you reheat air-fryer cod?

The best way to reheat air-fryer cod is to put it back in an air fryer or oven, set at 350°, to warm the fish through, helping crisp the exterior while ensuring the inside stays moist.

Air-Fryer Cod Tips

Two pieces of cooked white fish topped with a golden sauce are served on a round white plate. A fork and knife rest beside the fish. The plate is placed on a light pink surface next to a folded beige napkin.Taste of Home

Can I use frozen cod fillets for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen fillets for this cod air-fryer recipe, but it’s best to thaw them first for even cooking. If you cook them while frozen, the exterior surface of the fish will overcook before the frozen interior cooks through. The best way to thaw frozen cod fish is to place the fillets in the refrigerator overnight or, in a pinch, use the quick-thaw method by submerging them in cold water for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can add the frozen fillets to the marinade and marinate them for longer until defrosted.

Can I make this recipe with a different type of fish?

You can absolutely use a different fish with this recipe. In general, any medium-thick fish fillet will work with this method. If you’re cooking thinner fillets, such as tilapia, you may need to decrease the cook time. For thicker fillets, such as halibut, simply increase the cook time as needed until they register at least 145° at the thickest part.

What side dishes go well with air-fried cod?

This simple recipe for cod in the air fryer is a great blank slate that pairs well with any number of side dishes. Give it some staying power by adding a carbohydrate such as garlic mashed red potatoes or lemon rice pilaf. It’s also delicious with light, simple vegetable sides such as grilled asparagus or cucumber tomato salad.

Air-Fryer Cod

Prep Time 20 min
Cook Time 10 min
Yield 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cod fillets (6 ounces each)
  • 2 teaspoons butter

Directions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 370°. In a shallow bowl, mix the first 7 ingredients; add cod, turning to coat. Let stand 10-15 minutes.
  2. Place fillets in a single layer on a greased tray in air-fryer basket; discard remaining marinade. Cook until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 8-10 minutes. Top with butter.

Nutrition Facts

1 fillet: 168 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 366mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat.

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This air-fryer cod recipe will convert even the biggest fish skeptic. It's healthy and delicious—no breading needed! —Kim Russell, North Wales, Pennsylvania
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