The Surprising Truth About Cooking Cod in the Air Fryer

I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve been thinking about how the smell of fresh cod could be used as a sort of 8-minute meditation. It’s a clean, briny aroma, kind of like ocean spray meets a quiet, cozy kitchen. No breading or batter, just the pure scent of flaky fish sizzling in that hot air. It’s almost like the air fryer is whispering, “Hey, take a second. Breathe.”

This recipe matters right now because everyone’s craving simple and fast. No fuss, no complicated sauces. Just a piece of fish that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you really did. It’s perfect for those days when the last thing you want to do is cook, but you still want something that feels genuinely satisfying. Honestly, I never thought I’d get excited about a fish dish in an air fryer, but here we are.

Air Fryer Cod

This dish features a single piece of cod cooked in an air fryer, resulting in a flaky, tender texture with a lightly crispy exterior. The cod is cooked without breading or batter, relying on the hot air to achieve a delicate, evenly cooked fish with a clean appearance.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 13 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Course: Main Course

Calories: 200

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 piece cod fillet fresh or thawed
• 1 tsp olive oil for brushing
• to taste salt optional
• to taste black pepper optional

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Tongs

Method

 

1. Gently pat the cod fillet dry with paper towels, then brush it lightly with olive oil using a pastry brush or clean fingers, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
   1 piece cod fillet
2. Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over both sides of the fish to season, then place the fillet in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if applicable.
   1 piece cod fillet
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes, then insert the basket with the fish and cook for 8 minutes. Listen for a gentle sizzling sound and observe that the fish’s edges start to turn slightly opaque.
4. At the 4-minute mark, open the air fryer and briefly check the fish; if desired, gently flip the fillet using tongs for more even cooking. Continue to cook for the remaining 4 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and has a light golden color on the surface.
5. Remove the cooked cod from the air fryer using tongs, transfer to a plate, and let rest for a minute. Visually, the fish should be opaque and flaky, with crispy edges and a tender interior.
6. Optionally, serve immediately with a wedge of lemon or fresh herbs for garnish, showcasing the delicate, flaky texture of the fish.

Sometimes, I think the secret ingredient is just knowing you don’t have to overthink it. Fish, a little lemon, heat. That’s enough. And somehow, that makes everything feel a little easier—like the kind of meal that sneaks into a busy day and leaves you wondering why you don’t do it more often.