Crispy Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Discover our easy-to-follow recipe for air fryer fish tacos. Enjoy crispy, flavorful cod wrapped in a warm tortilla and topped with cabbage, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime!

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Want to change up Taco Tuesday from the traditional tacos or shrimp tacos? The whole family is going to love these air fryer fish tacos!

It’s the easiest way to make baja fish tacos right at home.

It gives a perfect fried fish with tender chunks of cod in a golden-brown, crispy coating. When served inside a warm tortilla and your favorite toppings, it’s a 10/10.

Whether you’re trying to eat more seafood or just looking for a quick and delicious meal, these cod tacos have got you covered.

Even my picky eaters who aren’t a fan of blackened fish, love the breaded and air-fried cod. We serve it alongside green beans or sweet potato fries for a complete dinner.

Some of my other favorite fish recipes include salmon, flounder, cod, swordfish, and catfish nuggets.

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: In a shallow bowl, mix the flour with paprika, salt, garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper. In another clean bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Add the panko to a third bowl, seasoning it with a bit of salt to taste.

STEP TWO: Pat the cod chunks dry with a paper towel.

STEP THREE: Dredge the cod in the flour mixture, then the egg, and finally the panko breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs against the fish to make them stick.

STEP FOUR: Place the breaded fish bites in the air fryer basket in an even layer inside. Spray them with oil.

STEP FIVE: Air fry at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time until the fish is crispy and lightly golden. It should flake easily with a fork and be opaque inside.

STEP SIX: Serve in corn or flour tortillas with cole slaw or shredded cabbage, red onions, crema, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Air fryer tacos make a quick meal and only need 10-12 minutes to cook.

The first sign your fish is ready is that the coating will turn a beautiful golden-brown color. Next, you want to cut into one of the pieces to make sure the fish is opaque inside and that it flakes easily.

If not, continue air frying for 1-2 more minutes.

When it comes to making fish tacos, having a firm and flaky texture is important. This makes it easier to handle and gives the tacos a satisfying crunch.

While there are many types of fish that can be used for fish tacos, some are better suited for cooking in an air fryer.

Here is what I recommend:

To get crispy fish, make sure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded and the breading on your fish is not too heavy so it can get crispy.

It also can depend on the type of fish you are using. Some fish, like salmon, naturally have a higher fat content and will crisp up better than leaner fish like tilapia.

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Try this perfectly crispy, deliciously seasoned fish tacos made in an air fryer. The fresh fish gets a crunchy exterior while remaining flaky inside, wrapped in soft tortillas and topped with cabbage and a drizzle of sour cream.

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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I’ve always had a love of cooking and creating new recipes, so it only made sense to create a food blog so I could share those recipes with you. This site is designed to provide easy and flavorful recipes with as little ingredients as possible. That means you still get great flavor combinations without all that extra time and effort. Read more...