If you've struggled to get kids excited about fish, this easy air fryer cod recipe might surprise you. As a Registered Dietitian mom, I discovered that the secret to getting my pickiest eater to eat cod wasn't complicated - it was bold seasoning. With fresh lime and either Old Bay or taco seasoning, mild cod becomes bright, flavorful, and totally kid approved. Best of all, the air fryer makes it quick, easy, and perfectly flaky every time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy This is an easy recipe that comes together in about 9-14 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Simple Ingredients All you need is cod, fresh lime, and your favorite seasoning. There's no need to buy panko breadcrumbs or any other special ingredient.
- Versatile Serve it in tacos, over rice or orzo, on salads, or alongside roasted veggies.
Dietitian Tip
Since cod is a white fish that has a gentle texture, it's generally accepted by more people the first time it's served compared to salmon. Also, the seasoning you add to it stands out more than anything... so be sure to use a seasoning your whole family enjoys. For us, it's Old Bay Seasoning.
Ingredient Notes
- Cod Fresh or frozen cod work well for this recipe. If using frozen cod, be sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry with a paper towel before adding the lime or seasoning.
- Lime A squeeze of fresh lime brightens the flavor of the fish and balances out the seasoning. Use fresh lime for the freshest flavor.
- Seasoning Use Old Bay Seasoning or Taco Seasoning. Old Bay gives cod a classic seafood flavor with a savory, slightly spicy kick, while taco seasoning adds a more smokey flavor that works especially well if you're serving cod in tacos or bowls.
How to Make Cod in the Air Fryer
Here is a summary of how to make flavorful, flaky cod in your air fryer. For detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Place cod fillets in a single layer on a lined air fryer basket.
- Top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and Old Bay or Taco Seasoning.
- Air-fry at 400 degrees for 9-14 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- This is not a recipe for crispy air-fryer cod. If you want to coat the cod fillets in an egg wash and cover them in panko breadcrumbs to add a crispy layer, you can definitely do that.
- Check on the fillets after 9 minutes, then every 1-2 minutes thereafter, until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
- Do not overcook fish. Overcooked fish is chewy and not as desirable to eat.
- Place cod fillets in a single layer on your air fryer basket.
- If using frozen cod fillets, allow them to thaw completely in the refrigerator (about 24 hours). Then, use paper towels to remove excess moisture from the fish before cooking them.
- Just like when you cook any other type of fish fillet, use cod filets that are similar in thickness, so they finish cooking at the same time.
- Cook time will vary depending on the thickness of your cod as well as where you place your rack in the air-fryer. For instance, a 2-inch-thick piece of cod I purchased from the fish counter took 19 minutes to cook on the lower rack (much longer than the 9 minutes it took for a thinner piece of cod to cook on the higher rack).
- Allow cooked cod to cool to room temperature before storing refrigerated in an airtight container.
- Optional: Add a light drizzle of olive oil to help the cod retain moisture and crisp up a bit.
Questions You May Have
You can definitely use frozen cod, just be sure to thaw it completely first. Unlike my air fryer salmon recipe, this recipe works best using cod that is already thawed.
Cod is finished cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit and flakes easily with a fork. Use a digital meat thermometer to get an accurate reading fast.
Yep! An air fryer is essentially a mini convection oven, so you can make this recipe in a convection oven at the same temperature for the same amount of time, or in a regular oven at 425 degrees for the same amount of time.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Cod
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces 4, 4 oz cod filets fresh or fully thawed frozen fillets of cod
- 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning or more, depending on taste preference.
- 2 limes sliced or quartered.
Instructions
- Pat cod fillets with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.16 ounces 4, 4 oz cod filets
- Sprinkle each fillet with at least ¼ teaspoon of seasoning.1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
- Lay cod fillets in a single layer on an air fryer baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil brushed with a light layer of oil to keep the fish from sticking.
- Air fry for 9-14 minutes. Check on the fillets after the first 9 minutes, then check again every 2-3 minutes until each fillet reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
- Squeeze fresh lime over each fillet, serve and enjoy!2 limes
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cod that's been thawed completely For me it takes about 24 hours for frozen filets of cod to thaw in the fridge.
- Pat the fish dry Use paper towels to remove excess moisture before adding the seasoning. This will help the seasoning stick and prevent the fish from steaming.
- Don't overcrowd the basket Place the cod in a single layer with space between each piece so the hot air can circulate properly & the fish can cook evenly.
- Adjust cook time based on thickness Cod fillets vary in thickness, so cooking time may range from about 11-19 minutes. A 2-inch-thick fillet took 19 minutes in my air fryer, while a thin fillet takes 9-11 minutes depending on where I place the rack in my air fryer.
- Cod is don't when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve cooked cod fillets with lime wedges. An extra squeeze of fresh lime adds the best flavor.
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