Air Fryer Salt Cod
- Easy
- 30 min
This air fryer cod recipe is all about keeping things easy, quick, and super tasty. I mean, in Italy, people totally love dishes that are light but packed with flavor. This version? It fits right in. Instead of frying cod in tons of oil or standing over a pan, the air fryer—really—is a game-changer. You get fish that's still tender inside and crispy on the outside. Plus, the breading turns golden and crunchy with just a bit of olive oil. Everything comes together in minutes. So here's the thing: toss in some zucchini slices, coat them in the same crunchy mix, and you save time. Everything cooks together, and you end up with a meal that's balanced and pretty healthy.
Folks across Italy—seriously—sometimes add their own twists, using local breadcrumbs or a sprinkle of herbs like oregano or parsley to bring out those classic Mediterranean flavors. Some think air fryer fish recipes can’t match the taste of fried versions, but this crispy air fryer cod? It really, really proves them wrong. Each bite has that moist fish texture inside and a crisp crust outside—just the way you want it.
And look, this approach keeps things lighter, perfect for everyday meals. Italian home cooks are swapping their regular fried cod for this healthy air fryer cod because it’s so much less hassle but still feels like a treat. You'll even see folks making air fryer salt cod or using calamari for another twist on seafood. Pretty much. The air fryer makes these dishes so much easier without losing that golden crunch everyone loves.
This method works with all kinds of air fryer cod fillets, making it a go-to for busy nights or whenever you want something light but satisfying. From classic fried lovers to anyone craving quick tangy seafood, this recipe lets you enjoy Italian-style fish without all the fuss. Whether you're in the mood for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish hits the spot every time, showing off how versatile the air fryer really is.
You might also like:
To prepare the cod in the air fryer, cut the fish fillets into smaller pieces, about 2.5 inches 1. Place the fish pieces in a baking dish and season them with olive oil 2, massaging them well to coat them evenly 3.
Chop the parsley 4 and add it to the breadcrumbs 5, season the breading with salt 6.
Add pepper 7, then season with a drizzle of olive oil 8 and white wine 9.
Mix the breading well 10 and pour half of it over the cod pieces 11, mix well to make the breadcrumbs adhere 12.
Wash and trim the zucchini 13, then cut them into slices about 1/4 inch thick 14. Place them in a bowl and season with olive oil 15.
Pour the remaining flavored breading over the top 16 and mix to make it adhere well to the zucchini 17. Now place the fish pieces in the air fryer basket 18 (we used a fryer with a capacity of 6 liters). Adjust based on the size of your fryer, the fish should not overlap; if the fryer is not large enough, it may be necessary to cook in batches.
Pour the breaded zucchini slices between the empty spaces 19, trying not to overlap them too much. Cook for 15 minutes at 356°F, until golden 20. The air fryer cod is ready to be enjoyed with the crunchy zucchini 21.