In the era of healthy cooking, the air fryer has emerged as a best friend for many. Why? Well, it is easy to use and it gives you the desired crispy, golden dishes with minimal oil. You can cook practically anything and everything in the air fryer (with proper instructions, of course!). When it comes to fish, this kitchen appliance really can be a game-changer – providing the perfect balance of crispness and tenderness. But, air frying fish is not as easy as it sounds. Since it’s delicate meat, air frying fish can cause many “oops” moments that can ruin your seafood feast. Are you thinking about air frying fish for a dish? Then you have come to the right page! Avoid these 7 mistakes to ensure you get the desired fish dish every time.
Also read: Kerala fish curry from Hilsa fish: 7 fish curries from across the country
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Here are 7 mistakes you should avoid when air frying fish
1. No preheating
Although it may be tempting to put all the items into the air fryer basket at once, skipping the preheating step could ruin your fish. Preheating is important as it helps the fish cook evenly, eliminating the possibility of under or overcooking the dish. If you preheat the air fryer, your fish fillet will begin cooking immediately, giving you a crispy exterior and moist interior. Trust us, it only takes a few minutes to preheat the air fryer, but this small step can make a big difference. So, don’t skip this step to make restaurant-style fish at home!
2. Using butter to air fry fish
You will be surprised to know that you do not need a lot of fat to air fry fish. While a splash of butter can make fish taste better, it can actually ruin your equipment. Butter may be a poor choice on the lowest settings on your air fryer because it has an exceptionally low smoke point. If you’re not careful, your butter will break down in the air fryer, and smoke will come out of the appliance. The same thing happens if you use cold-pressed oils. Instead, aim to use oils with a high smoke point like avocado, canola, or sesame oil to avoid discomfort.
3. Not wrapping your fish
A common mistake is to place the fish fillets in the air fryer basket, set the timer and wait – but once the air fryer is fully operational with its hot air it will release all the moisture. To save your time and your dish, always wrap the fish to maintain its tenderness. Use tin foil with a little lemon juice or white wine so the fish cooks and steams within the parcel. It will also add different flavors to your dish and prevent it from turning brown.
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4. Overcrowding in the basket
Are you in a hurry? Well, if you’re making fish in your air fryer you’ll probably want to slow down a bit. Putting too many fish fillets in the air fryer basket may spoil your dish. The thing is, the air fryer works like a traditional oven by moving hot air around the basket. If you stuff the basket with too many fish fillets – especially thick ones – it won’t have enough breathing room to cook properly. Cook in batches if you need to and thank us later.
5. No lining on your air fryer basket
If you are cooking fish in an air fryer, it is important to line the basket with parchment paper. With this you will not have much trouble in cleaning the basket. When you use parchment paper, the juices from the fish stay well in the liner and do not drip to the bottom of the basket. This cooks the fish evenly and also soaks it in its own juices. Also, using parchment paper will help prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the basket.
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6. Do not pat the fish dry
Excessive moisture is the enemy of fish! If you don’t pat your fish fillets dry before adding the seasoning, your fish will likely end up overcooked and mushy on the outside. Use a paper towel to wipe off excess moisture before marinating your fish. This will ensure that the seasoning or breadcrumbs stick properly and allow the air fryer to achieve its signature crunch.
7. Air Frying Wet-Striped Fish
Air fryers are often touted as deep fryers that give you the desired crispiness without the added fat, but they don’t actually fry the food. They can achieve crispiness and brownness without much fat, but wet-cooked fish isn’t really a good fit for the appliance. This is because once the air fryer starts working, it may blow out the batter before it gets crisp, causing it to drip onto the bottom of the machine. To keep the fish crisp, choose a crust of dry bread or coat it with an egg wash to secure it.
