Craving that classic British pub experience but looking for a healthier, homemade twist? You are in the right place! Our Air Fryer Fish & Chips recipe brings all the crispy goodness you love without the deep-fried guilt. Get ready for perfectly golden, flaky fish and irresistible fries, all made easily in your air fryer. This simple guide makes a beloved comfort food truly accessible for any home cook.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Fish & Chips
This Air Fryer Fish & Chips recipe will quickly become a family favorite for many great reasons.
It offers a much healthier alternative to traditional deep frying, cutting down on excess oil. Research suggests that air frying can significantly reduce fat and calories compared to deep-frying
You will achieve that coveted perfect crispiness for both your fish and fries, just like your favorite takeaway.
Our steps are simple and easy to follow, making this an ideal recipe for beginners or busy parents.
It is fantastic for quick family dinners, bringing smiles to everyone at the table.
This recipe truly delivers on comfort food satisfaction, without the heavy feeling.
Ingredients
Gather these fresh ingredients to create your delectable Air Fryer Fish & Chips. This combination ensures both the potatoes and fish achieve optimal crispiness and flavor in the air fryer.
For the Crispy Fries:
- 3 russet potatoes, about 1 1/2 pounds, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch long slices
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Golden Fish:
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pound cod fish, about 5 filets (smaller filets cook more evenly), patted dry with paper towels VERY WELL
Notes & Substitutions:
- If you prefer not to use beer in your batter, sparkling water or a non-alcoholic seltzer makes an excellent substitute.
- For the fish, cod is a classic choice, but haddock, pollock, or halibut also work beautifully for their firm, white flesh.
- Feel free to use your preferred white fish. Russet potatoes are ideal for fries due to their starch content, creating a fluffy interior and crisp exterior.
- You can also experiment with different potato cuts, just adjust cooking times.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes preparing your Air Fryer Fish & Chips a breeze.
- Air Fryer: A basket or oven-style model works perfectly.
- Large bowls: Essential for soaking potatoes and mixing batter.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For precise ingredient amounts.
- Whisk: To ensure a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Paper towels: Crucial for thoroughly drying fish and potatoes.
- Parchment paper: Great for easy cleanup and preventing sticking in the air fryer basket.
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to make incredible Air Fryer Fish & Chips from scratch. Remember, proper preparation is key to achieving that perfect crispy texture.
For the Crispy Fries:
- Begin by prepping your potatoes for superior crispiness. Peel your russet potatoes and slice them into 1/2-inch-long pieces.
- Place them into a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Allow the potatoes to soak for at least 30 minutes, or even up to 3 hours, changing the water once if soaking for longer. This step removes excess starch, which helps achieve that coveted crisp texture.
- Next, drain the water thoroughly from the potatoes. Lay them out on a clean towel and dry them extremely well. Any remaining moisture will prevent them from becoming perfectly crispy.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket generously with cooking oil spray. Add the dried potato slices to the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer if possible, and spray the tops with more oil.
- Air fry the potatoes for 7 minutes, then open the basket and toss them well to ensure even cooking. Air fry them again for another 7 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and beautifully crispy.
- Once cooked, immediately sprinkle the fries with salt and pepper to taste. Remove them to a serving dish and cover with aluminum foil to keep them warm while you prepare the fish.
For the Golden Fish:
- Start by ensuring your fish fillets are incredibly dry. Pat them very well with paper towels; excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour and all of the cornstarch. This forms your initial dry coating. In a separate, large bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup of flour, garlic powder, onion powder, the specified salt, pepper, and baking soda.
- Now, it’s time to coat your fish. Dredge each piece of fish first in the dry flour and cornstarch mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, submerge the fish into the wet beer batter, allowing any excess batter to drip off. Finally, place the battered fish back into the dry flour mixture and sprinkle with more flour to fully coat, gently shaking off any excess.
- This double-coating method helps create that thick, crunchy crust on your Air Fryer Fish & Chips.
- Line your preheated air fryer basket with a sheet of parchment paper and generously spray it with cooking oil spray. Carefully arrange the coated fish pieces in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Overlapping can lead to uneven cooking. Spray the tops of the fish very generously with cooking oil spray; you want them thoroughly coated to promote a golden, crispy crust.
- Air fry the fish at 390°F (199°C) for a total of 12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer basket and spray the fish again very well with oil. This re-spray helps ensure even browning and crispiness. Continue air frying until the fish is golden and flaky, and an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) is reached.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect Air Fryer Fish & Chips is easy with a few key tricks.
- Soak and Dry Potatoes: Always soak your potatoes to remove starch, then dry them absolutely thoroughly. This ensures maximum crispiness.
- Dry Your Fish: Pat the fish fillets very well with paper towels. Excess moisture leads to a soggy batter, not a crispy one.
- Use Batter Promptly: Beer batter works best when used fresh; let it sit too long and it may lose its airy texture.
- Parchment Paper: Use parchment paper in your air fryer basket for easy cleanup and to prevent the fish from sticking.
- Generous Oil Spray: Be generous with your cooking oil spray on both the fish and fries. This is crucial for achieving that fried texture without deep fat.
- Avoid Flipping Fish: There’s no need to flip the fish during cooking. The air fryer circulates heat efficiently.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Airflow is essential for crispiness.
- Always Preheat: Preheating ensures a consistent cooking temperature from the start.
- Serve Fresh: For the best experience, serve your Air Fryer Fish & Chips immediately while hot and crispy.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile Air Fryer Fish & Chips recipe can be customized and enjoyed in many ways.
Serving Suggestions:
Beyond tartar sauce and lemon wedges, consider offering malt vinegar, a traditional pairing. Homemade mushy peas are another authentic side that complements this dish beautifully. For a lighter touch, serve with a fresh coleslaw or a simple green salad.
Storage & Reheating:
If you have any delicious leftovers, store the cooked fish and chips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best reheating results and to regain that crisp texture, pop them back into your air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for about 3-4 minutes. While you can microwave them, they will not be as crispy.
Variations:
Feel free to experiment with different types of white fish, such as snapper or tilapia, based on availability and preference. You can also explore various beers for your batter; a robust pale ale might offer a different flavor profile than a light lager.
For an even quicker meal, use frozen pre-cut fries instead of making them from scratch, adjusting cooking times as needed. For dietary needs, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend works well as a substitute for traditional flour.
Nutrition Information
Enjoying your Air Fryer Fish & Chips can be part of a balanced diet. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 366 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 61 g |
| Protein | 23 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 39 mg |
| Sodium | 867 mg |
| Potassium | 1006 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Vitamin A | 38 IU |
| Vitamin C | 9 mg |
| Calcium | 42 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on the ingredients listed and may vary depending on specific brands and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fish for fish and chips?
Cod is typically the top choice due to its mild flavor and flaky, firm texture that holds up well. Other great options include haddock, pollock, or halibut.
How do I get my air fryer fries crispy?
The key steps are soaking your potatoes in cold water, drying them thoroughly before cooking, and spraying them generously with oil. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket for optimal airflow.
Can I use frozen fish in this recipe?
While fresh fish is preferred for texture, you can use frozen fish fillets. Ensure they are fully thawed and patted very, very dry before coating them in the batter.
What can I substitute for beer in the batter?
If you want to avoid beer, sparkling water or seltzer works wonderfully. They provide the necessary carbonation to create a light and airy batter for your fish.
How do I reheat leftover fish and chips?
For the best results, reheat any leftovers in your air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 3-4 minutes. This method helps restore their delicious crispiness.
Conclusion
You now have all the tools to create fantastic Air Fryer Fish & Chips right in your own kitchen! This recipe proves that you can enjoy classic comfort food with a healthier, easier twist. The crispy fish and perfectly cooked fries will satisfy your cravings without the hassle of deep frying. Give this recipe a try tonight and taste the delicious difference. We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your creations in the comments below!
Air Fryer Fish & Chips
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Soak sliced potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes, changing water if soaking longer than 30 minutes.
- Drain and thoroughly dry the potatoes, then generously spray your air fryer basket and the potatoes with cooking oil spray before placing them in the basket.
- Air fry potatoes at 400°F for 7 minutes, toss, then fry for another 7 minutes until golden brown and crispy; season with salt and pepper, then cover to keep warm.
- Prepare two flour mixtures: whisk 1/2 cup flour and cornstarch in one shallow bowl, and in a separate large bowl, combine 1 cup flour with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, baking soda, and beer.
- Coat each fish fillet first in the dry flour mixture, then dip it in the beer batter, and finally return it to the dry flour to fully coat, shaking off any excess.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, spray with oil, then carefully arrange the coated fish without overlapping.
- Thoroughly spray the fish with cooking oil, then air fry at 390°F for 12 minutes, opening the air fryer basket halfway through to spray the fish again before finishing.
- Serve the hot fish and chips immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices, accompanied by tartar sauce and ketchup if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
- Soaking the potatoes helps remove excess starch, leading to crispier fries.
- Ensure both potatoes and fish are very dry before air frying to achieve the best crispy texture.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure optimal air circulation and even cooking.
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