Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe (2024)

Air fryer fish nuggets is a quick homemade recipe using fresh or previously frozen cod fish fillets.

Fish nuggets in air fryer is a terrific dinner or snack that kids and grown-ups will love. The cod fillets are cut into bite-size pieces and finished rolled in panko breadcrumbs and air fry until crispy in these healthy cod nuggets recipe.

You can make this crispy fish nuggets recipe using the air fryer or the oven. There is no need to deep fry fish nuggets anymore since the air fryer does all the work, and you get crispy and delicious nuggets every time.

These air fryer cod fish nuggets are made with real fish, and they are the homemade alternative to the boxes of frozen fish nuggets you find at the grocery store. Make some extra fish nuggets and freeze them for a quick healthy dinner that you can reheat in the air fryer.

Are fish nuggets healthy?

Homemade fish nuggets are healthier because you have control of the ingredients you use.

The frozen fish nuggets at the grocery store are processed and deep-fried. Processed food is not usually healthy because they are high in sodium, fat and other ingredients that are not good for your health.

Fish nuggets Ingredients

How to air fry fish nuggets

Cooking fish nuggets in air fryer is easy to follow the steps below or print the recipe on the recipe card

How to season fish nuggets

• Mix flour and black pepper in a shallow dish and set aside.
• Lightly beat eggs and the chopped parsley in a second shallow dish, and set aside.
• Mix panko and black pepper in a third shallow dish, and set aside.
• Pat the fish dry with a paper towel, season with lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.

• Dredge the fish pieces one to three at a time in the flour mixture, shake off the excess. Dip in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then dredge in the panko breadcrumb, set it on a clean plate.

How long to air fry fish nuggets

Place the breaded cod in air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with cooking oil; cook at 400ºF for 5 minutes on each side or until the fish flakes easily.

When is done

According to the USDA, fish are safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF.

How to cook fish nuggets in oven

Preheat the oven to 425ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the fish nuggets on the prepared baking sheet. Spray the cod fish nuggets with cooking spray oil and bake for 15 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.

If the baked fish nuggets have reached an internal temperature of 145ºF and they’re not crispy yet, cook it on broil for a couple of minutes for extra crispiness.

Recipe tips

• You can use fresh or previously frozen cod fillets or any white fish fillets.
• Ensure fish is completely defrosted.
• Place the air-fried nuggets on a cooling rack while you cook the second batch and when you are done, add all the nuggets back into the air fryer basket to warm for a couple of minutes before serving.
• Store in the fridge for up to two days or in the freezer for up to one month.

How to store fish nuggets

These breaded fish nuggets have the best taste and texture if you eat them immediately. They will be good in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

Store in the fridge

Keep leftovers of air fry cod fish nuggets in an airtight container or a zip bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Store in the Freezer

Line a baking sheet with wax paper, lay cooked fish nuggets, and freeze for two hours. Once solid frozen, transfer to a zip bag and label with the date and name. Freeze for up to a month.

How to Reheat fish nuggets in the air fryer

To reheat fish nuggets in the air fryer, set the air fryer to 400ºF and cook for only 3-4 minutes. There is no need to preheat the air fryer, and if you do it, adjust the reheating time accordingly.

More air fryer recipes you’ll love

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• Air fryer Bacon wrapped asparagus
• Ribeye steak in the air fryer
• Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

• Blackened Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Tuna Steaks
• Pistachios Crusted Air Fryer Halibut
• Air Fryer Mahi Mahi Recipe (2 Ingredients)
• Air Fryer Shrimp With Garlic Lemon Butter
• Easy Air Fryer Scallops Recipe
• Air Fryer Swordfish Steaks Recipe
• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Air Fryer Recipe
• Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe

Air Fryer Fish Nuggets Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Air fryer fish nuggets is a quick homemade recipe using fresh or previously frozen cod fish fillets.

Ingredients

• ½ cup white whole-wheat flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
• 1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumb
• 1 lb. pacific cod, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Cooking spray oil (avocado or olive oil)

Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 400ºF for 10 minutes
   
2. Mix flour and black pepper in a shallow dish and set aside.
   
3. Lightly beat eggs and the chopped parsley in a second shallow dish and set aside.
   
4. Mix panko and black pepper in a third shallow dish and set aside.
   Pat the fish dry with a paper towel, season with lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
   
5. Dredge the fish pieces one at a time in the flour mixture, shake off the excess. Dip in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then dredge in the panko breadcrumb, set it on a clean plate.
   
6. Place the coated fish in the air fryer basket spray with cooking oil; cook at 400ºF for 5 minutes on each side or until the fish flakes easily.
   Serve with a side and tartar sauce or any dipping sauce you like.
   

Notes

• You can use fresh or previously frozen cod fillets or any white fish fillets.
  
• Ensure fish is completely defrosted.
  
• Place the air-fried nuggets on a cooling rack while you cook the second batch and when you are done, add all the nuggets back into the air fryer basket to warm for a couple of minutes before serving.
  
• Store in the fridge for up to two days or in the freezer for up to one month.
  

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 427Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 474mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 37g

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated​, only the sodium in the other ingredients​ is calculated.