Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Name: Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound cod fillets (or another white fish), 1/2-inch thick; 2 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 6 medium-sized flour tortillas; Jalapeño slaw (optional topping); Pineapple salsa (optional topping)

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Air Fryer Fish Tacos are made with light and flaky air fried fish fillets seasoned with Cajun spices and topped with jalapeño slaw and pineapple salsa. You’ll love this sweet and spicy combo for your next taco night!

We could probably eat tacos in our house just as much as we eat pizza. There is so much variety!

While I normally make beef or pork tacos, sometimes I change it with chicken tacos or these tofu breakfast tacos.

And lately, I’ve been changing it up with these air fryer cod tacos. The fish is air fried to spicy perfection and it’s all tucked into warm tortillas with some sweet pineapple and jalapeño heat.

Fish tacos topped with pineapple salsa and arranged in a round serving dish.

Why you’ll love these air fried fish tacos

The fish is cooked in minimal oil so it turns out tender and flaky without tasting greasy.
It’s an easy recipe with very little prep time and just 3 ingredients required for the fish.
You can change up the tacos with a number of variations and substitutions. See below!

Details on the ingredients

Cajun seasoning, oil and raw fish fillet pieces on a wooden cutting board.

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 (here’s a homemade Cajun seasoning I’d like to try), or season the fish with a mix of different herbs and spices.

Tortillas – You’ll need about 6 medium-sized tortillas.

Toppings – I topped these tacos with jalapeño slaw and pineapple salsa, but you can go with many different toppings. (Suggestions are provided below).

Raw fish fillet pieces arranged on a cutting board and coated in Cajun seasoning.

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.

Air fried cod pieces in an air fryer basket.

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.

Air fryer fish tacos arranged on a serving tray.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best fish to use for fish tacos?

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.

How to season fish for fish tacos?

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.

Do you need to remove the skin from the fish?

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.

How long does it take to cook fish in the air fryer?

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 1/2-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.

How do you know when fish is cooked in the air fryer?

The internal temperature of the thickest part of the fish should be cooked to 145F. I like to use a meat thermometer to check. You’ll also be able to tell the fish is ready when it’s opaque and flakes apart easily with a fork. Be careful not to cook it past this point as the fish will dry out and may end up a bit rubbery.

Can you air fry frozen fish for these tacos?

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.

Should you use corn or flour tortillas for fish tacos?

While corn tortillas are typically used for tacos, I used flour tortillas here as the amount of fillings required a larger tortilla and corn tortillas are on the smaller side. If you wanted to make these smaller, corn tortillas would be amazing and delicious. Whichever one you go with, warm them on the grill or in a frying pan on the stove top to get a light charring on both sides.

Overhead of fish tacos on a round plate with beer, slaw, cilantro and salsa off to the sides.

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

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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