Air Fryer Fish Tacos are made with light and flaky air fried cod fish fillets seasoned with a little oil and Cajun spices. It's an easy recipe with very little prep time and just 3 ingredients plus tortillas and your favorite toppings. The fish is cooked with minimal oil so it turns out tender and flaky without tasting greasy!
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Table of Contents
Details on the ingredients
- Fish fillets - You'll need one pound of fish for this recipe. I used cod, but you can use any white fish like tilapia, mahi mahi, snapper or haddock. Depending on the thickness of your fish fillets, you should be able to get 3-4 pieces from one pound.
- Oil - You only need a little bit of oil to coat the fish. I used extra virgin olive oil but you can use your preferred oil.
- Seasoning - I used Cajun seasoning to coat the fish. It was store-bought but you can also make your own or season the fish with a mix of different herbs and spices.
- Tortillas - You'll need about 6 medium-sized tortillas.
How to air fry fish for tacos
- Preheat your air fryer, if required.
- Cut your fish into 3-4 pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Place them on a large plate or cutting board.
- Brush the oil on both sides of the fish and then coat each side with the Cajun seasoning.
- Place the fish in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry on 400F for 8-12 minutes. (The amount of time depends on the thickness of your fish).
- Transfer to a plate, flake apart with a fork and get ready to start assembling the tacos.
What type of air fryer was this recipe tested in?
This recipe was tested in a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. This is a larger capacity air fryer with a preheat function, so I was able to air fry all of the fish in a single batch in about 8-10 minutes.
Depending on the size, brand and model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cook time slightly. You may also need to air fry the fish in batches.
Toppings for fish tacos
- These tacos are served with a jalapeño slaw, which is just a slaw mix (cabbage or broccoli slaw works) mixed with this creamy jalapeño dip. You can also go with this citrus slaw or use a store-bought coleslaw if you prefer.
- I also topped the tacos with a variation of this pineapple salsa. It's easy to make and goes so perfectly with spicy fish.
- You can go for the usual taco toppings and add guacamole, salsa, avocado slices, diced tomatoes and/or shredded lettuce. Red cabbage or quick pickled red onion would be amazing too.
- If I have time, I sometimes make this homemade cashew queso or chipotle dip. They also pair nicely with these air fryer tortilla chips, which is a great starter for any taco meal!
- I didn't add cheese in order to keep these tacos dairy-free, but feel free to add grated cheddar or pepper jack, or even some crumbled feta.
Frequently asked questions
Any type of white, flaky fish will work for fish tacos. I used cod, but you can also use tilapia, mahi mahi, snapper or haddock.
Seasoning fish is pretty simple. Pat the fish dry and then brush on a thin layer of oil. Sprinkle the seasoning on one side and use your fingers to gently press it into the flesh so it sticks. Flip the fish over and repeat. Cajun seasoning works well for fish tacos, but you can use a different mix of herbs and spices too.
For maximum flavour, you'll want to coat both sides of the fish with seasoning. For that reason, I suggest using fish fillets with the skin removed. You can either buy the fillets this way, or if you have it with the skin on, you can just remove it yourself.
It can take anywhere from 8-12 minutes to cook fish fillets in the air fryer. This depends on the thickness of your fish, the type and size of your air fryer, the air fryer's temperature and whether you preheat your air fryer.
The fish pieces I used in this recipe were ½-inch thick. After preheating the air fryer on 400F for 5 minutes, it took about 8-10 minutes for the fish to cook. Thicker pieces will take 12 minutes or longer.
If you only have frozen fish, you'll want to defrost it first so the oil and seasonings stick to it a little better. Thawed fish will also be wet so be sure to press out any excess water with paper towels before adding the oil and seasonings.
Substitutions and variations
- The Cajun seasoning is moderately spicy. If this is too much for you, just reduce the amount of seasoning you use.
- If you like it spicier, feel free to add a little cayenne pepper to the seasoning. You can always make the tacos spicier with your toppings such as finely chopped jalapeños and a spicy sauce.
- To change up the seasonings entirely, here are a few suggestions: taco seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, chili lime seasoning, Italian seasoning, Chinese 5 spice, or just keep it simple with a little salt, pepper and garlic.
- If you like crispy fish tacos, try filling your tortilla with this air fryer cod with a crispy panko breading.
Additional recipe tips
- To ensure the fish cooks evenly, make sure your fish pieces are roughly the same thickness and try not to overcrowd the air fryer.
- Make sure the fish is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 145F and flakes apart easily. Avoid overcooking as the fish will get dry and rubbery.
- This recipe makes enough fish for about 6 medium-sized tacos. You can easily double the recipe, but you will need to air fry the fish in multiple batches.
More air fryer seafood recipes
- Air Fryer Crab Cakes
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties
- Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
- Air Fryer Scallops
- Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
- Air Fryer Tilapia
If you make these fish tacos in the air fryer, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod fillets, (or another white fish), ½-inch thick
- 2 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 6 medium-sized flour tortillas
- Toppings of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer, if required.
- Cut your fish into 3-4 pieces. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels and place them on a large plate or cutting board.
- Brush the oil on both sides of the fish and then coat each side with Cajun seasoning, using your fingers to gently press it into the flesh.
- Place the fish in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry on 400F for 8-12 minutes. (The amount of time depends on the thickness of the fish). Flip the fish at the halfway point.
- Transfer the fish to a plate and flake apart with a fork.
- Warm 6 tortillas, add the fish and top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- This recipe was tested in a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. Depending on the size, brand and model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cook time slightly. You may also need to air fry the fish in batches.
- Use fish pieces that are roughly the same thickness so they cook evenly and try not to overcrowd the air fryer.
- Make sure the fish is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 145F. It will be opaque and flake apart easily.
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Enter your email address and I'll send it straight to your inbox. You'll also receive new recipes from me regularly!
Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Terry says
The recipe looks so delicious! Perfect recipe to try for cinco de mayo!
I really want to try that jalapeño slaw! Such a great idea.
Leanne says
Thanks Terry! I hope you get a chance to try them some time!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen says
Another awesome air-fryer idea - another splendid tacos! While we don't eat tacos often (Pizza always wins!), I won't be able to pass on fish tacos. The fish cooked perfectly, and all other flavours and textures are great (I and particularly digging this pinapple salsa!)
Leanne says
Thanks Ben! We love our pizza too, but definitely eat our fair share of tacos. Hope you get a chance to try these!