Dive into the easy, irresistibly crispy goodness of air fryer fish and chips! This classic dish delivers a perfect combination of battered fish and crispy fries.
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Air fryer fish and chips is a healthier version of the classic dish that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture! Get ready to enjoy the perfect combination of crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside fish filets paired with golden fries right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The secret to achieving that mouthwatering crispy exterior? A simple combination of flavorful beer batter, panko breadcrumbs, and the magic of the air fryer!
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to recreate restaurant-worthy fish and chips right at home. The air fryer gives you that crunch you crave without the hassle or excess calories of deep-frying. Best of all, this dish is ready in just 35 minutes!
How to Make Air Fryer Battered Fish and French Fries
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Add ½ cup of flour and ½ teaspoon of salt to a large mixing bowl. Add the beer and egg, then whisk until smooth and well blended. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for about 10-20 minutes.
STEP TWO: Place the remaining flour in another large bowl with the remaining salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
STEP THREE: Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
STEP FOUR: Pat the cod dry with a paper towel.
STEP FIVE: Dip each piece of fish into the wet batter, coating completely. Next, dredge it through the seasoned flour, pressing gently to adhere.
STEP SIX: Spray the inner basket of the air fryer using an oil mister.
STEP SEVEN: Place the fish in an even layer in the basket and spray generously with cooking spray using an oil mister.
Optional: If you can fit French fries in at the same time, make sure they’re separated.
STEP EIGHT: Air fry for 12 minutes, spraying halfway through the cooking time to avoid dry spots.
STEP NINE: Remove the fish after 12 minutes. If cooking fries, continue air frying until they’re crisp.
STEP TEN: Serve immediately with lemon wedges, malt vinegar and tartar sauce.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Fried Fish
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries
- Curly Fries in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Crinkle Fries in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Waffle Fries in the Air Fryer
- Lemon Wedges
- Ninja Foodi French Fries
- Steak Fries in the Air Fryer
- Tartar Sauce
- Vinegar
How Long to Cook Fish and Chips in the Air Fryer
When it comes to cooking fish and chips in the air fryer, it’s crucial to get that amazing beer batter perfectly golden and crispy. But of course, we need the fish to be tender and flaky on the inside too!
The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your fish filets, but I find that 12 minutes is usually just right. When you cut into the fish, it should be opaque all the way through and flake easily.
If you’re making my homemade air fryer French fries, you’ll want to keep air frying them for about 15 minutes after the fish finishes cooking until they’re golden and crispy. If using frozen fries, the cook time will be 12-18 minutes depending on how thin or thick the fries are.
Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Fish and Chips
- Ensure your fish filets are patted dry before coating them with the batter. This helps the batter adhere better and promotes even cooking.
- Spray the fish filets generously with oil or they will come out dry with flour spots.
- Do not crowd the air fryer. Place the breaded fish filets and fries in the air fryer in a single layer. Cook the fries after the fish if you have limited space.
- Season your fish and fries generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor profile.
- To reheat any leftovers, place them in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispy texture. You can read this post to learn more about reheating fish in the air fryer.
More Delicious Breaded Recipes
- Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Calamari
- Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets
- Air Fryer Scallops
- Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- Breaded Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops
More Air Fryer Fish Recipes
- Air Fryer Catfish
- Air Fryer Cod
- Air Fryer Halibut
- Air Fryer Fish Sticks
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Swordfish
- Air Fryer Tilapia
- Frozen Cod in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Teriyaki Salmon in the Air Fryer
- The Best Air Fryer Fish Recipes
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Air Fryer Fish and Chips
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour divided
- 8 ounces beer light ale
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cod filets
- Frozen fries or Air Fryer French Fries
Instructions
- Add ½ cup of flour and ½ teaspoon salt to a large mixing bowl. Add the beer and egg and whisk until smooth and well blended. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for about 10-20 minutes.
- Place remaining flour in another large bowl with remaining salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper, whisking to combine.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Pat the cod dry with a paper towel.
- Dip each piece of fish into the wet batter, coating completely. Dredge it through the seasoned flour, pressing gently to adhere.
- Spray the inner basket of the air fryer with cooking spray.
- Place the fish in an even layer in the basket and spray generously with cooking spray. (If you can fit fries in at the same time, do so, making sure they’re separated.)
- Air fry for 12 minutes, spraying with a bit more oil as it cooks to avoid dry spots.
- Remove the fish after 12 minutes, and continue cooking the fries until they’re crisp.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges, malt vinegar and tartar sauce.
Hi Samantha!
I am wanting to make this, I just do not want to put any alcohol in it. Will it make a difference if I simply leave it out? If so, do you have any recommendations on what to replace the alcohol with? (please don’t say non-alcoholic beer)
Thank you!
It will make a bit of a difference in the texture if you completely leave the beer or a substitute like club soda out of the batter. I would say your best bet is to use club soda if non-alcoholic beer isn’t an option for you. I hope that answers your question and that you enjoy the recipe!
I’ve read in so many places that you shouldn’t spray your air fryer with cooking spray (Pam, etc., as this will ruin the inside of the air fryer). Instead, you should use avacado, grapeseed, or extra virgin olive oil…sooo, when you say cooking spray, what do you mean?
Hi Tammy, I recommend getting an oil mister like the one linked in the article. You fill it with oil. It doesn’t have soy lecithin in it, which is what can cause issues in the non stick air fryers.
Here is the oil mister I use: https://amzn.to/4aO1zd2
Here is more about using oil in the air fryer: https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/air-fryer-oil/