If you are craving a classic, crispy fried fish but without the oil, then this Gluten Free Air Fried Fish Recipe is the perfect choice. It’s easy to make even on the busiest nights, and it’s also simple to make gluten-free if that’s a need!
This air-fried fish recipe has the perfect, golden-brown crunch using simple pantry-style breading that you can whip up in minutes. It uses what you already have on hand, like gluten-free flour, cornmeal, and a few seasonings. Once you have your breading, it’s ready in minutes using your air fryer. This Air Fried Fish is perfectly paired with Homemade Tartar Sauce and Air Fryer Hush Puppies.
What is Gluten Free Air Fried Fish?
This gluten-free air-fried fish recipe is a healthy, homemade alternative to traditional deep-fried fish. It uses mild, white fish fillets coated in a gluten-free flour mixture, egg, and breadcrumbs. Then it is cooked entirely in the air fryer with just a little bit of oil spray to give that golden exterior. This recipe yields a flaky, tender interior all in less than 20 minutes.
Why you’ll love Gluten-Free Air Fried Fish
- No deep frying, all done right in the air fryer with very little oil!
- Easy to make gluten-free if that’s a need.
- Perfect budget-friendly recipe using white fish fillets and pantry ingredients.
- Lighter alternative than deep-fried fish!
Ingredient Notes
- Fish Fillets (Cod, Tilapia, Pollock, or other Whitefish) – Use a mild variety for a tasty, flaky interior.
- Cooking Oil Spray – Just a light oil spray like olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray will give that golden exterior.
- Eggs – Whisk together to create the binder for the breading.
- Gluten-Free or Regular All-Purpose Flour – If needed, use gluten-free all-purpose flour; this is going to be part of the first stage of breading the fish.
- Gluten-Free or Regular Panko Breadcrumbs – Used to bread the fish, use gluten-free if needed.
- Onion Powder – Combined to give the savory taste to the breading.
- Garlic Powder – Combined to give the savory taste to the breading.
- Old Bay Seasonings – Combined to give the savory taste to the breading.
- Salt – Adds additional flavor to the breading.
- Ground Black Pepper – Also adds additional flavor to the breading.
How do you make Gluten-Free Air Fried Fish?
- In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings, set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg.
- In a third bowl, add the flour.
- Pat fish dry with a paper towel.
- Dip each fillet in the flour, then egg and shake off excess.
- Coat with breadcrumbs.
- Spray fish with cooking oil spray of choice as well as the air fryer basket.
- Place the fish in the basket evenly. This may need to be done in batches.
- Cook in the Air Fryer at 390°F for 8-10 minutes, it’s best to turn it halfway and coat with additional spray.
- Serve immediately and store leftovers in fridge.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Fish
- If making gluten-free, use gluten-free all-purpose flour that is a 1:1 even ratio with regular flour. Use high quality flour such as King Arthur Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour.
- Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs if making this meal gluten-free.
- Always use an oil spray, this is what gives it the golden texture and takes any floury areas and turns them into a crispy exterior.
- Cook in a single layer and do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Add additional seasonings if preferred.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use regular gluten-free breadcrumbs if panko is not an option.
- This breading can be used on shrimp and salmon bites too.
- This recipe is naturally dairy-free, but always check all ingredients first.
- If you want a spicy breading, add cayenne pepper to the seasoning mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
YES! It does take some oil to do this, using an oil spray. It’s best to use a high-heat spray like grapeseed or avocado; however, I do use olive oil frequently and have had no issues with it either.
The oil is needed to give the fish the crisp browned outer breading, but you do not need a lot of it. I prefer to use Pompeian Oil Sprays for this.
For this recipe, any type of whitefish such as Cod, Tilapia, Pollock, and Catfish can be done with this recipe and method.
Soggy fish usually happens if your fish were not patted dry before breading or if the basket was overcrowded.
What to serve with Air Fried Fish
Fresh Lemon Wedges
Storage Tips
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, heat in the air fryer basket at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until heated through.
Gluten-Free Air Fried Fish is quick and easy, perfect for a fish fry without all the deep fried oil. This recipe uses your own pantry staples and seasonings to make a delicious, golden brown, flaky fish.
Air Fried Fish
Ingredients
- 8 Fish Fillets (Cod, Tilapia, Polock, or other White Fish – usually about 1-2 pounds of fish)
- Cooking Oil Spray
- 2 Eggs Beaten
- 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free or Regular All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free or Regular Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Serve with Lemon Wedges and Tartar Sauce
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings, set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg.
- In a third bowl, add the flour.
- Pat fish dry with a paper towel.
- Dip each fillet in the flour, then egg and shake off excess.
- Coat with breadcrumbs.
- Spray fish with cooking oil spray of choice as well as the air fryer basket.
- Place the fish in the basket evenly. This may need to be done in batches.
- Cook in the Air Fryer at 390°F for 8-10 minutes, it's best to turn it halfway and coat with additional spray.
- Serve immediately and store leftovers in fridge.
MaryBeth Raines says
I wish we were able to read the reviews. I like to get to read the reviews because sometimes you get good suggestions. In this case I was looking to see if anyone had success using this recipe with no breading. FYI – I used seasonings and also used canola oil to grease the air fryer, used your timing and temperature and flipped it halfway and it turned out delicious!
Sarah says
Very good, tasty
Brian says
8 1-2 lb fillets? is this right??
Kristy says
Sorry about the confusion, updating that. I’m not sure why it showed up like that but it’s 8 fillets OR about 1-2 pounds of fish. Ours always always comes otu to 8 fillets.
Christy says
This was delicious. The fish was cooked perfectly. The breading was crispy on the outside as if it had been deep fried. The seasonings were very flavorful. I’m looking forward to making this ready recipe again soon.
Charles Ray says
Love fish recipes
Kristy says
Our favorite way to make fish!
Esme Slabbert says
I have some fish in the freezer, so will make this tomorrow evening for dinner.
I was inspired by the incredible posts at Love your creativity, it’s a must-see!
My shares this week: #100+101. Hope you enjoy them!
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Joanne says
This sounds like a great healthier alternative to fried fish. It looks so good.
Esme Slabbert says
This sounds amazing, just made pollock in the AF tonight, as a very quick meal as hubby not home, but still have to eat
Thank you for sharing and participating at SSPS 351. See you at #352
Mary says
Cooked my fish this way tonight very good, thanks for the recipe