If you are looking for a recipe to air fry fresh fish that is easy on the cook and healthy, and delicious that is on the table fast, then this Air Fryer Cod with Ritz cracker topping is the one to try! Thick cod filets are covered with a buttery ritz cracker topping and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, all in under 20 minutes!
Air fried cod is my favorite fish. It is moist, flaky, and covered in a buttery seasoned ritz cracker topping. When you air fry fresh fish in the air fryer, you get a healthy alternative to deep frying.
❤️ Why you'll love it
✔️ It is a low calorie recipe packed with 21 grams protein per serving.
✔️ This air fryer recipe puts dinner on the table in under 20 minutes.
✔️ Air frying fish takes less time in the kitchen and keeps the kitchen cooler by not using the oven or stove top.
🥘 Ingredients
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🔪 Instructions
- Place the entire sleeve of crackers in a quart size ziploc bag. Add the parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coarsely crush the crackers and seasoning together. Transfer the cracker mixture to a small bowl.
- Melt the butter in a glass measuring cup in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until just melted.
- Stir the lemon zest into the butter and pour the butter mixture over top of the cracker mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Whilpreparingng the fish, Preheat the air fryer on 400 degrees.
Place the fish fillets in the air fryer basket or air fryer tray. Using a tablespoon, place the cracker topping on top of the cod fillets. Press lightly to pack the topping on the fish. - Cook the fish on the bottom rack of the air fryer for 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
- Remove the fish from the air fryer and serve with lemon wedges
🥄 Equipment
🥫Storage
Store any leftover fish in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
📖 Variations
- Make this air fryer cod keto and substitute coarsely ground pork rinds in place of the cracker crumbs.
- Substitute the garlic powder and parsley flakes with ½ tablespoon of old bay seasoning.
- Use panko crumbs in place of the cracker crumbs.
💭 Tips
- For uniform pieces of fish, buy 3 whole cod fillets and cut the thicker end of the fish into 2 sections each to use in this recipe. This should yield approximately 6 (4 ounce) fillets. Freeze the wider and thinner part of the cod fish for a later use.
🙋 FAQ's
Yes, you can use frozen cod, however I recommend thawing it out first. While it can be cooked from it's frozen state, the topping may not be as crispy and it will take longer to cook, possibly burning the topping in the process.
The internal temperature of the cod fish should be 145 degrees. To check the temperature of the fish, remove the tray from the fryer and insert an instant read thermometer into the side of the fish getting the measurement form the center.
Yes, just mix the melted butter and lemon zest together. Brush the butter mixture over top of the fish and then season evenly with the garlic, salt, and black pepper.
Yes, bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until fish reaches an internal temperature of 145 and flakes easily.
📚 Related Recipes
Super fast with the flavors of cilantro and lime, this Skillet Cod with Cilantro Lime Butter is easy and delicious.
Beer battered and deep fried, Cod Fish Tacos with Spicy Mango Salsa is so tasty, it will become a family favorite.
Oven Baked Halibut is fast, delicious and easy!
Baked Red Snapper is covered with a garlic topping and baked to perfection.
🏫 The last word
Don't be afraid to air fry fresh fish. It cooks quickly and perfectly! This baked cod with ritz cracker topping makes a great dinner packed with protein and is low calorie.
When I made this cod fish recipe, I was also able to cook the asparagus at the same time as I own an air fryer with trays. Keep the cod fish on the bottom slot of the air fryer to prevent burning of the ritz topping.
🍽 Serve with…
Serve air fryer cod fish with a green vegetable side dish such as air fryer brussels sprouts or Oven Roasted Radishes .
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When you make this Air Fryer Cod Fish recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
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Air Fryer Cod with Ritz Cracker Topping
Ingredients
- 24 ounces cod fish fillets (6-4 ounce portions)
- 1⅓ cups crushed buttery round crackers (1 sleeve - 37 crackers)
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter , melted
- 1-2 lemons , zest and juice (optional)
- Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Place the entire sleeve of crackers in a quart size ziploc bag. Add the parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coarsely crush the crackers and seasoning together. Transfer the cracker mixture to a small bowl.
- Melt the butter in a glass measuring cup in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until just melted.
- Stir the lemon zest into the butter and pour the butter mixture over top of the cracker mixture. Stir until well combined.
- While preparing the fish, Preheat the air fryer on 400 degrees.
- Place the fish fillets in the air fryer basket or air fryer tray. Using a tablespoon, place the cracker topping on top of the cod fillets. Press lightly to pack the topping on the fish.
- Cook the fish on the bottom rack of the air fryer for 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
- Remove the fish from the air fryer and serve with lemon wedges.
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