Cod is a mild whitefish that everyone, including the kids, will love. This tender, flaky air fryer cod has a slight crispiness on the outside from cooking in the air fryer, and it stays moist and juicy inside. Make this easy dinner recipe in under 25 minutes.
Cod is one of the most mild-flavored white fish. It is an excellent variety of fish to introduce kids to eating fish. We love it because it is also one of the more inexpensive types of fish, so it is great if you are on a budget!
We take budgeting seriously here because gluten-free can be expensive. If you are also on a budget, here are many budget-friendly gluten-free recipes.
Recipe At A Glance:
Why I love this air fryer cod:
- Cod is one of the few white fish types that my kids will eat. It is flaky, mild, and easy to cook.
- This recipe is really easy to make with very few ingredients.
- Cod absorbs flavor from the seasoning quickly, and it tastes incredible.
- This easy meal cooks in just 10-12 minutes!
- You get the taste of fried fish without all the calories of frying fish in oil.
If your kids love this cod, they will love this kid-friendly gluten free cod fettuccine alfredo dinner recipe!
Reader Rave
We tried it in our Air fryer absolutely loved it. The fish we used was cod it came out nice & flakey, crunchy, not greasy.” Diana C., Pinterest comment
Ingredient Notes:
- Cod – Use fillets that are deboned. (Most cod you buy in the grocery store should be boneless.) You can use fresh or frozen and thawed cod for this recipe.
- Flour – You can use any flour or gluten-free blend for this recipe.
- Seasonings – Smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cajun seasonings. (Always double-check ingredients if you are gluten free.) I used Zatarain’s Cajun Seasoning, but you can also use Old Bay Seasoning.
- Cooking Oil – Use an oil that is tolerant of high-heat cooking. I use avocado oil and spray it on my fish before cooking it. If you are wondering what oils are best, you can check out my easy Air Fryer Oil guide. Using the right oil is critical to avoid off-flavors in your air-fried foods.
How To Thaw Frozen Fish
If your cod is frozen, you will want to defrost it before dipping it into the seasoning mix. Frozen cod has a thin layer of ice, and that ice will melt during cooking. When this happens, your seasonings will also melt off with the ice, leaving unseasoned fish. Here are two easy ways to thaw your cod:
- Place the frozen cod in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. This is the easiest method, but also the slowest method. If you are looking for a faster method, you will want to use the second option.
- Remove the frozen cod from the outer packaging, but leave it in the inner wrapping. Place the fish in a bowl of warm water and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. You can refresh the water with warmer water but do not use boiling hot water.
I had a smaller 3.4-quart Corsori Air Fryer, but they no longer make the one I own. I am recommending the larger version of the air fryer I have. It frequently goes on sale so keep an eye out for sales!
- 1. The size is great for a family of 4.
- 2. Clean-up is really easy.
- 3. It cooks food really well.
- 1. The baskets are dishwasher safe, but tough to fit in our specific dishwasher model.
No matter what size air fryer you have, you can make this air fryer cod fish recipe in any size. If you are trying to decide on what air fryer to get, I have a great list of the best air fryers for gluten free cooking. I include a great pros and cons list for each model.
Tips For Sucess
1. If your cod is frozen, thaw it. See above for two ways to easily thaw cod.
2. If you are gluten-free, it is important to use an air fryer that is dedicated to gluten-free cooking. Flour and gluten can get into the cooking fan, and it can not be cleaned out.
How To Make Air Fryer Cod:
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 360º F. Combine garlic powder, paprika, cajun seasonings (I used Zaitarins brand), sea salt, and ground black pepper in a large bowl. I like to use a whisk to blend the fish-coating mix.
Step 2: Remove the cod from the packaging. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel. This will help the coating stick better. Double-check the cod filets to make sure there are no bones.
Tips for Seasoning The Cod
- Dip the fish into the coating and ensure you get the flour seasoning mixture on both sides.
- Don’t overcrowd the fish while coating it in the seasoning mix. Dip one fillet at a time into the coating mixture. Be sure every bit of the fish is coated.
Which gluten-free flour is best for frying?
You can use several different gluten-free flour blends in this recipe if you are gluten-free. I used King Arthur GF Measure for Measure.
You can also use flours like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour, their blend in the red bag. It contains bean flours, which are great for savory dishes.
Step 3: Spray the empty cod basket bottom with oil. Place the fish in a single layer into the oiled air fryer basket. Be sure the cod fillets are not touching each other. You want the hot air to circulate around all areas of the fish.
Step 4: Spray the top of the cod in the air fryer with light oil. This light spray of oil helps crisp up the outside of the fish and seal in the flavor!
Step 4: Cook the cod in the air fryer at 360º F for 6 minutes on each side. When you flip the cod, be very careful not to remove the coating. For thinner filets, cook for 5 minutes on each side.
Check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer to see if the cod is cooking. You will know the cod is finished cooking when it has an internal temperature of 145º F. Note that cooking time will vary depending on how thick your cod is!
Baking Directions:
No air fryer, no problem!! You can still enjoy this delicious air fryer cod recipe. Prepare the cod the same way as directed for the air fryer and spray it with oil. Bake at 375º F for 20 minutes, depending on how thick your cod is.
Sides To Serve With Cod:
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Carrots
- Kale and Apple Salad
How to Store Leftovers:
Store your air-fried cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cooked fish will keep fresh for up to 3 days. You can also freeze this cod by placing cooled cod into a freezer-safe container or zipper bag.
To reheat the cod, you can microwave it for 45 seconds. I prefer to reheat my cod in the air fryer or oven to keep it crisp. To reheat using the air fryer, cook for 3-4 minutes at 340º F. To reheat in the oven, place the cod on a sheet pan and bake at 350º F for 10 minutes.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
You can cook frozen cod in the air fryer, but it won’t be as good in this recipe. This recipe uses thawed cod that is patted dry to keep the coating crisp.
The whole point of the air fryer is to circulate hot air around your fish to get it crisp. If you put foil down, the fish’s underside will not be crisp.
You can cook sole, halibut, catfish, shrimp, or any fish.
If you love cooking with an air fryer, check out my easy gluten free air fryer recipes!
If you want to try another delicious cod recipe, try this Miso Glazed Cod. You can bake, grill, or make it in your air fryer!
Reader Rave
Delicious and so easy!!! Loved it with the Bay Seasoning. Yum.” Brandi M., Pinterest comment
More Seafood Recipes To Try:
If you love seafood as much as we do, you will want to check out these 50+ deliciously easy gluten free seafood recipes. I am sure you will find some new favorites! These were picked with the pickiest eaters in mind!
- You will also love my crispy Gluten Free Cod Fish Sticks.
- If you love fajitas, try this easy Blackened Shrimp Fajitas recipe.
- This crispy Air Fryer Catfish is another popular recipe to try.
- If you love air-fried seafood, you will love this Air Fryer Scallops in a Dill Garlic Butter.
Air Fryer Cod
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds cod
- ¼ cup flour regular or gluten free
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning or old bay more to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- â…› teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon light oil for spraying * see notes
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Spray oil on the air fryer basket and preheat it to 360 degrees F.
- Mix the spices in a bowl with the flour and whisk to blend.
- If your fish is frozen, see the Notes Section below for thawing directions.
- Remove the cod from the package and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Dip each piece of fish into the flour spice mixture and then turn it over and press down to coat all of the fish.
- Place the fish in the air fryer basket. Spray with oil. Make sure there is space around each piece of fish so air can circulate around the fish.
- Cook at 360º F for 6-8 minutes on each side. Note cooking time will vary depending on how thick your pieces of cod are! For thinner filets cook 5 minutes on each side.
- Enjoy hot with lemon.
Video
Notes
- You can use other types of fish in this air fryer fish recipe.
- Do not use olive oil because it doesn’t do well at high heat. Try avocado or canola oil.
- This cod will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
- Place the frozen cod in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. This is the easiest method, but also the slowest. If you are looking for a faster method, you will want to do the second option.
- Remove the frozen cod from the outer packaging, but leave the cod in the inner wrapping. Place the fish in a bowl of warm water. Let the fish soak for 15-20 minutes. You can refresh the water with warmer water. Do not use boiling hot water.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I’ve made this a number of times. It is always delicious. I very often use Orange Roughy which is also a very mild white fish. it’s a family favorite.
Oh yum, I should try orange roughy next. My kids will only eat really mild whitefish. Thank you so much for the tip, Barbara!
Perfect 10/10! This Air Fryer Cod is a game-changer – unbelievably crispy, moist perfection. Simple steps, delicious taste. Thanks for making cooking a breeze!
I am thrilled you loved the recipe. Thank you so much, Lira.
Good stuff!!!
Thank you!
Used gluten free flour and this turned out quite nice! I would recommend going heavier on the seasoning because mine was a bit bland. I spaced out the pieces in a silicone liner and they still formed a nice crust. Thanks for the recipe!
I am so glad you loved the recipe, thank you so much!
Great tip about the liner – I tried mine w the silicone lined and it worked like a dream!
I am so glad you hear Angie’s tip helped!
Quick, easy & wonderful! Thanks so much.
I am so glad you made my recipe and enjoyed it. Thank you so much for coming back so others know it is a good recipe.