Air Fryer Fish and Chips

How to Make Air Fryer Fish and Chips

There’s nothing quite like a classic British dinner of fish and chips – especially when it’s made healthier and faster in the air fryer! This easy air fryer recipe transforms flaky cod or hake fillets into irresistibly crispy air fryer fish, coated in panko breadcrumbs for that satisfying crunch. Paired with golden, homemade chips cooked to perfection in the air fryer basket, this is the ultimate quick fish dinner that doesn’t compromise on flavour or texture. Best of all, there’s no messy deep-frying required – just simply, delicious comfort food ready in under an hour!

The secret to elevating fish and chips lies in the seasoning. Each fillet and chip should be seasoned with Maldon Sea Salt flakes right after cooking. The delicate, pyramid-shaped flakes enhance the natural flavours of the fish and potatoes, adding a subtle crunch and clean salinity that ordinary table salt just can’t match. For best result, try arrange everything in a single layer in the air fryer to ensure even crisping. Serve immediately with a side of homemade mushy peas and a generous dollop of tangy tartar sauce for a truly authentic meal.

Prepare and Cook the Chips

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180C.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut the potatoes into thin batons. Toss with oil to coat and season with Maldon Sea Salt. Spread out evenly in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and crisp.

Bread and Air Fryer the Fish

1. For the fish, pat the fillets dry and season with Maldon Sea Salt. Put the flour in one shallow bowl, the beaten egg in another, and the panko breadcrumbs in another.
2. Coat the first fillet in flour, tap off any excess, then turn in the egg, let any excess drip off, and finally coat in the breadcrumbs. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs onto the fillet to ensure even coverage. Repeat with the second fillet.
3. Drizzle the breaded fillets with a little oil then bake in the air fryer for 15 minutes until crisp on the outside and cooked through.

Make the Mushy Peas

1. For the mushy peas, briefly cook the peas in salted boiling water until tender. Drain, the return to the pan with the butter. Use a potato masher to crush the peas thoroughly. Season to taste with Maldon Sea Salt.

Prepare the Tartar Sauce

1. For the tartar sauce, simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl and season with plenty of black pepper.

Serve and Enjoy

1. As soon as the fish comes out of the air fryer, sprinkle with Maldon Sea Salt.
2. Serve the fish and chips with the mushy peas and tartar sauce.

What is the best fish for air fryer fish and chips?

The best fish for air fryer fish and chips is white, flaky, mild-flavoured fish that holds up well during cooking. Cod is the traditional favourite for British-style fish and chips because it’s tender, flaky and mild, which makes it perfect for a crispy coating when air frying! Alternatively, you can use Haddock, Hake or Pollock, which are all soft and have a flaky texture. The worst fish to use when making fish and chips is salmon or mackerel. This is because they have a high fat content which can lead to a greasy, unpleasant texture when fried.

Can you make air fryer fish and chips ahead of time?

You can make air fryer fish and chips ahead of time, but it’s not ideal if you want to preserve that signature crispiness. Crispy air fryer fish and golden chips are best served immediately after cooking, when the coating is at it’s crunchiest and the fish is perfectly flaky and moist inside. If you reheat air fryer fish and chips, the panko coating an soften and you could dry out the flaky cod or hake fillets.

If you want to prep ahead, you can bread the fish and cut the chips in advance, then store them in the fridge separately until ready to cook.

How do you reheat air fryer fish and chips?

To reheat air fryer fish and chips, preheat your air fryer to 160-175°C, place the fish and chips in a single layer in the basket, and cook for around 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Is air fryer fish and chips healthier than traditional fish and chips?

Yes, air fryer fish and chips are generally ‘healthier’ than traditional deep-fried versions. This is because there is less oil, which means fewer calories. Traditional fish and chips are deep-fried in oil, which significantly increases the fat and calorie content. Air Frying requires little to no oil, reducing overall fat whilst delivering a crispy air fryer fish and golden chips. Air frying is a smarter choice for a quick fish dinner that feels indulgent but fits into a balanced diet.

Can I use frozen fish fillets when making fish and chips?

Yes, you can use frozen fish fillets when making fish and chips in the air fryer. Make sure to thaw the fillets completely before breading. This helps the panko breadcrumbs stick better and ensures the fish cooks evenly. To speed up the process, you could use pre-breaded frozen fish. This can be air-fried straight from frozen – just check that they’re cooked through and finish with a generous pinch of Maldon Sea Salt flakes before serving.

How long to cook baked potatoes in air fryer?

If you’re swapping chips for baked potatoes in your air fryer fish and chips meal, you need to preheat your air fryer to 200°C and cook directly in the air fryer basket for 35-45 minutes, turning once halfway through for even crisping. Make sure you scrub and dry the potatoes before cooking (a Russet or Maris Piper potato would be best), pricking them a few times with a fork. Rub a little oil onto the baked potato and season with Maldon Sea Salt flakes.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some delicious and well-balance pairings for air fryer fish and chips that help elevate the dish while keeping it true to it’s classic British dinner roots.

• Homemade mushy peas – A must-have for fish and chips! Creamy, lightly seasoned with Maldon Sea Salt flakes and black pepper, and a perfect contrast to the crunch of crispy air fryer fish.
• Tangy tartar sauce – The zing from capers, pickles and lemon cuts through the richness of the fish and adds moisture.
• Lemon wedges – It may seem simple, but a fresh squeeze of a lemon brings brightness and enhances the flavour of the flaky code or hake fillets.
• Pickled onions or gherkins – A sharp, vinegary bite balance the meal nicely. In London and among those in the fish and chips trade, a gherkin is also known as a ‘wally’. This originated in the late 19th century, believed to be a corruption of the word ‘olive’ and then later stuck for pickles and gherkins.
• Green salad – Tossed with a light vinaigrette to add freshness and balance the heartiness of the fish and golden chips. Try pairing a radicchio salad with the air fryer fish and chips; the radicchio has a satisfying crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft, flaky fish.
• Slaw – A crisp cabbage slaw with a vinegar-based dressing offers texture and tang to the air fryer fish and chips. We added jalapenos to our slaw to give a delicious spicy kick!

These serving suggestions turn a quick fish dinner into a well-rounded meal while letting the panko-breaded, crispy air fryer fish and chips shine.

Storing air fryer fish and chips

Storing and reheating air fryer fish and chips properly can help preserve the crispiness and flavour – though nothing beats enjoying them served immediately.

Storage Tips

1. Cool completely first – Let the crispy air fryer fish and golden chips cool to room temperature before storing to avoid steam build-up, which causes sogginess!
2. Store separately – Place the fish and chips in separate airtight containers, preferably lined with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
3. Refrigerate – Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Avoid freezing – especially if the fish was previously frozen before cooking.

Tried this air fryer fish and chips recipe? Let us know in the comments below! For more easy air fryer recipes, visit our full collection.