Air Fryer Cod is a light and delicious recipe that you will love for a fast dinner. Done in just 20 minutes, you can’t do much better for a healthy dinner.
If you are trying to eat a little bit lighter, you are going to love this recipe. Made with just a handful of ingredients, this is a simple dinner that is so perfect to fall back on.
Cod is a great fish to come back to for its health benefits, but also for how easy it is to dress up! We just add a little lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and parsley, and combined with asparagus, we have a fantastic healthy meal.
Buying Cod
Cod, with its mild flavor and flaky texture, is an ideal candidate for air frying. Packed with nutrients and easy to pair with various flavors, this fish allows for a versatile and delicious dinner. Since we live in the Midwest, it is difficult to get fresh fish. For me and my family, frozen fish is the best option. It is easy to keep on hand and is frozen when it is at its freshest, and as a bonus it is more cost effective.
If you buy fresh cod for this recipe, look for fillets that have a translucent appearance with a pearly white color. Avoid fillets with any discoloration, browning, or dark spots.
How to Cook Cod in the Air Fryer
Here is a brief overview of how this easy cod recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements and cooking times, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Preheat your air fryer. While it warms up, prepare your cod.
- Prepare your cod and asparagus. Rub the cod with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss the asparagus with olive oil.
- Cook. Add the cod and asparagus to the air fryer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fish registers 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve. Take the cod out of the air fryer and sprinkle with lemon juice, zest, and parsley. Serve with the cooked asparagus. Enjoy!
Air Fryer
Thawing Frozen Cod
When using frozen cod fillets, it is important to thaw it before cooking. Follow the directions on the package for the best way to thaw, or leave the fillets in the refrigerator overnight. Be sure to pat the fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Cooking Temperature for Cod
Cod needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. With all meat, I like to use an instant read thermometer that can be left in it while cooking. This ensures that the meat is cooked to a healthy temperature without sacrificing flavor that comes when meat is overcooked.
This is especially important with fish. When over-cooked, fish can be really dry and lack a good texture. Below I have linked the thermometer I like to use. It can be left in the cod while it cooks in the air fryer and you can even set an alarm to let you know when you are 10 degrees away from it being done.
Instant Read Thermometer
Tips and Tricks
- If your family doesn’t like asparagus, swap it out for broccoli or green beans.
- Preheat your air fryer and spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray before adding the cod.
- If there are long pieces of cod with thin ends, tuck the thin ends under to create more uniform pieces of fish that will cook at the same rate.
- Don’t overlap the cod in the air fryer; keep it in a single layer on top of the asparagus.
Serving
Sprinkle the cooked air fryer cod fillets with lemon juice, zest, and parsley. This easy cod dinner can be rounded out with rice, coleslaw, or a simple salad.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for five minutes until heated through.
FAQ
When cooked in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, cod will take 10-15 minutes to be fully cooked. Since the cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the cod, the best way to check is to use an instant read thermometer to know when the cod reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to preheat your air fryer so it is at the right temperature when the fish goes in.
Other Easy Dinner Ideas
Looking for other easy dinner ideas? Here are a few favorites for kids and adults alike.
Once you try this air fryer cod recipe, leave a comment below and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Cod
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod thawed if purchased frozen
- 3 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound asparagus washed and tough stems removed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the air fryer is preheating, rub the cod with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. If they are long pieces with thin ends, tuck the thin ends under to create more uniform pieces of fish that will cook at the same rate.1 pound cod, 3 teaspoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Toss the asparagus with 1 teaspoon olive oil.1 pound asparagus, 3 teaspoons olive oil
- Spray the preheated air fryer basket with olive oil. Add the prepared asparagus and top with the prepared cod. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fish registers 140 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant read thermometer.
- Remove the cod from the air fryer, and sprinkle with lemon juice, zest, and parsley. Serve with the cooked asparagus.1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 teaspoons fresh parsley
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