Why This Air Fryer Cod Recipe Works Every Time
Set it to 400°F and walk away. The air circulation does the work.
First batch came out a little dry. Lowered the time to 8 minutes and added that lemon juice solved it.
✅ Ready faster than ordering delivery
✅ Costs $4 per serving vs $14 takeout
✅ No fishy smell in the house
✅ Perfect for weeknight rotation
✅ Jessica approves the lighter prep
Let me show you what goes in.
What You Need for Air Fryer Cod
The avocado oil helps the spices stick and creates that golden surface. Cod fillets work best at 4-6 oz each anything thicker needs more time.
✔ Cod fillets : defrosted if frozen, patted dry
✔ Avocado or olive oil : helps spices adhere
✔ Fresh lemon juice : about ¼ of a fruit
✔ Paprika and chili powder : mild heat, good color
✔ Garlic and onion powder : depth without chunks
Prep takes 3 minutes. Cooking takes 8.
How to Cook Cod in the Air Fryer
Mix oil, lemon juice, and all spices in a small bowl. Rub it on both sides of the fillets.
- Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels
- Mix oil, lemon juice, and spices into a paste
- Coat both sides of each fillet evenly
- Spray air fryer basket with nonstick spray
- Place fillets in basket without overlapping
- Set temperature to 400°F for 8 minutes
- Check internal temperature hits 145°F before serving
No flipping needed. The basket does the work.
Tested Variations That Actually Work
Panko-Crusted Version
Press panko breadcrumbs onto the oiled fillets before cooking. Spray the top lightly with oil.
Adds serious crunch. Takes one extra minute at 400°F to crisp up the coating.
Old Bay Seasoning Swap
Replace all the spices with 1 teaspoon Old Bay. Classic Maryland approach.
Lily said it tasted “like the beach.” She meant it as a compliment.
Sides That Balance the Plate
Steamed rice gets dinner on the table fast. Start it first, fish finishes right when the rice does.
Roasted broccoli goes in the oven while the air fryer runs. Temperature doesn’t matter they’re on different timers.
Tartar sauce from the fridge. Store-bought works. Hornbacher’s carries decent options.
Got leftover fish? Read on.
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Cod
Cod dries out fast if stored wrong. Here’s what actually works after testing it three times.
Storage
- At room temperature: Don’t. Fish spoils quickly.
- In the fridge: Airtight container, up to 2 days. Place parchment between fillets.
- In the freezer: Wrap each fillet individually in plastic, then foil. Stays good 2 months.
Reheating
Air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes brings back some texture. Don’t microwave it turns rubbery.
Oven works too: 325°F for 5 minutes on a wire rack.
Anti-waste tip
Flake leftover cod into scrambled eggs. Add Old Bay. Makes a solid breakfast taco filling.
Check the FAQ if you’re troubleshooting.
Full Air Fryer Cod Recipe
Simple spiced cod with crispy edges and tender flaky fish inside. Tested at 400°F after trying lower temps this works best. Takes less time than thawing a freezer meal.
Air Fryer Cod with Lemon Spice Rub
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Small bowl
- Cooking spray
- Instant-read thermometer
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 2 cod fillets 4–6 oz each; defrosted if frozen; patted dry
- 2 teaspoons avocado or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice or lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- cooking spray avocado or olive oil
Instructions
- Pat cod fillets completely dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a small bowl, mix the oil, lemon juice, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt into a paste.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of each fillet.
- Spray the air fryer basket generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place fillets in the basket in a single layer without touching.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 8 minutes without flipping.
- Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 145°F. Serve immediately with lemon if desired.
Notes
- For fillets over 1 inch thick, add about 2 minutes and check temperature.
- Defrost frozen cod fully and pat very dry to avoid steaming.
- If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 7 minutes.
- Tested at 380°F but 400°F produced better browning and crisp edges.
- Variation: Press panko onto oiled fillets and air fry at 400°F for about 9 minutes, spraying the top lightly with oil.
- Variation: Swap the spice mix for 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning.
- Reheat leftovers at 350°F in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes to revive texture; avoid microwaving.
Questions I Get About Air Fryer Cod
First time I made cod in the air fryer, I wasn’t sure about the timing either. Here’s what I figured out.
How long to cook cod in air fryer at 400?
8 minutes at 400°F for fillets around 1 inch thick. Check that internal temp hits 145°F.
Can you use frozen cod in air fryer?
Defrost it first. Frozen cod releases too much water and steams instead of crisping up.
How to keep air fryer cod from drying out?
Don’t overcook past 145°F internal temp. The lemon juice in the rub helps keep it moist.
What’s the best seasoning for air fryer cod fillets?
This spice mix works every time. Old Bay is a solid alternative if you want something simpler.
Rate This Air Fryer Cod Recipe
This air fryer cod recipe cuts dinner prep to under 15 minutes total. Tested the timing three times to get it right.
Hit the stars below if it worked for you. Drop a comment if you tried a different spice mix always looking for new combinations. Snap a photo and tag #AirFryerPlates or @AirFryerPlates so I can see how yours turned out.
