You are in for a real treat with this easy but impressive recipe. This air fryer whole fish is so full of flavor with the most perfect crispy skin, and it’s so effortless to make! Seasoned with garlic and lemon, it’s ready to serve in less than 30 minutes.
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blog post.
If preparing and cooking a whole fish seems daunting to you, and you only ever enjoy it when dining out, then I’m about to blow your mind!
Throw that entire fish in the air fryer and thank me later. Cooking a whole fish in the air fryer guarantees the most perfectly flakey fish with the most delicate flavors every single time.
Seasoned with garlic, lemon and thyme, this is one delicious meal that you’ll turn to time and time again!
Be sure to check out my Air Fryer Crab Legs and Crispy Air Fryer Fish too!
How to make air fryer whole fish
- Gather your ingredients. You need a smaller fish, about 1 lb and an air fryer that is at least 5 qts.
- Using a pair of kitchen scissors, remove the fins and descale the fish.
- You can choose to score the fish by cutting slits in the side but I usually skip this part for thinner fish.
- Rub oil over fish and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder on the outside and inside. Place garlic cloves, thyme leaves, and lemon slices inside of the fish.
- Place fish in the air fryer basket. The parchment paper pictured is not mandatory but I like to use it to make lifting the fish out of the basket a little easier.
- Cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 14-16 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches at least 145F and the inside of the fish is flaky.
What’s the best fish to use?
This recipe is great to make with a white flesh fish like red snapper, sea bass, or tilapia, one that weighs around 1 pound is perfect for this method. Choose a fish that eyes are bright and clear with clean gills. A fresh fish should be firm to the touch and smell fresh and not overly fishy.
Why cook fish in the air fryer?
I love to cook whole fish, and hands down, this delivers the most delicious results! The skin gets perfectly crispy (just the way I like it!) and the flesh is perfectly flakey and flavorful. Because it is cooked in the air fryer, we don’t need to add lots of additional oil to achieve those perfect results.
Current guidelines recommend that we should eat two portions of fish a week, and this is one delicious way to do it. Fish is high in healthy Omega-3s, as well as being low fat and high in protein. You can definitely feel great about this recipe!
What do you serve it with?
This air fryer whole fish is great to serve with all of your favorite veggie, potato and salad sides, and it’s great enjoyed with some rice. Try it with:
- Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Southern Potato Salad
- Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning it. This helps remove excess moisture that can cause the fish to steam and become mushy.
- You can “score” the fish if you prefer, by cutting diagonal lines in the skin before you season it. I tend to skip this step on thinner fish.
- Have fun with the seasonings and herbs. Rosemary and dill are great additions, or add some red chili flakes for a bit of a kick.
- Use a high heat oil like canola or vegetable.
- For crispier skin, cook the fish longer, for around 16 minutes.
- The parchment paper pictured is not mandatory but I like to use it to make lifting the fish out of the basket a little easier.
More Fish Recipes
Air Fryer Whole Fish
Ingredients
- 1 whole fish about 1 lb, scaled and gutted (red snapper, sea bass, tilapia)
- 1 Tbsp oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
- ¼ tsp garlic powder or to taste
- 4 garlic cloves smashed
- 3 thyme leaves
- ½ lemon sliced
Instructions
- Rub oil over fish and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder on the outside and inside.
- Place garlic cloves, thyme leaves, and lemon slices inside of fish
- Place fish in the air fryer basket and cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 14-16 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches at least 145F and the inside of the fish is flaky.
Notes
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning it. This helps remove excess moisture that can cause the fish to steam and become mushy.
- You can “score” the fish if you prefer, by cutting diagonal lines in the skin before you season it. I tend to skip this step on thinner fish.
- Have fun with the seasonings and herbs. Rosemary and dill are great additions, or add some red chili flakes for a bit of a kick.
- Use a high heat oil like canola or vegetable.
- For crispier skin, cook the fish longer, for around 16 minutes.
chong
Tuesday 13th of July 2021
Thank you, for sharing this recipe. I plan to make the dish this weekend. It looks so yummy and crispy. Wish me luck, it'll be the first time I've used an air fryer.
Tanya
Tuesday 13th of July 2021
Thanks, I hope you like it as much as we do :)