No Need to Thaw Frozen Fish

It’s so easy to cook frozen fish in an air fryer, even without thawing it! Simply pull the fish out of the freezer, add some seasonings that you like, and put it in the air fryer to create a delicious main dish. I gave it a try when I was pressed for time, and it came out great!

This time, I used frozen tilapia, but you can do the same thing with any of your favorite fish. You only need a few ingredients, such as your favorite cooking oil, onion powder, garlic powder, and a small amount of other seasonings to turn out a wonderful main dish.

I stock up on frozen fish fillets when they go on sale, so this recipe is also budget friendly. You don’t even have to preheat your air fryer. The cooking process is smooth, and cleanup is a breeze. It’s a low-carb and keto-friendly way for the entire family to enjoy a fish dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve cooked all kinds of fish with a variety of ingredients. The tilapia I used this time is a mild flavored white fish that can handle a lot of seasoning.

Here are the ingredients for this recipe:

• Frozen fish fillets
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Paprika (regular or smoked paprika)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil (or whatever oil you prefer)
• Parsley flakes (optional)
• Lemon slices (optional)

You can swap out or add to any of these ingredients. Here are some that we’ve tried and liked:

• Cajun seasoning
• Parmesan cheese
• Chili powder
• Italian seasoning
• Cayenne pepper
• Panko bread crumbs

How to Cook Frozen Fish in an Air Fryer

Cooking this fish couldn’t be any easier. Just make sure you don’t overcook it, or it will become dry and rubbery.

First, spray the air fryer basket with some type of oil. I used olive oil. Or cover the bottom with air fryer parchment paper.

Place the fish in a wide bowl or on a plate.

Drizzle it with olive oil or use an olive oil spray.

Either brush or rub the oil all over the fish so the seasonings will stick to it.

In a small bowl, combine all of the spices. Whisk or stir them. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the fish. Coat both sides of the fillets.

Now place the seasoned fillets in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket. You don’t need a preheated air fryer. Cook the fish at 400 degrees F at 11 minutes, turning the fish over halfway through. Cooking time may vary, depending on the thickness of the fish. 

The fish is done when the internal temperature is 145 degrees F and the fish flakes easily with a fork. I just use a standard meat thermometer. If the fish isn’t done, return it to the air fryer in 1 or 2 minute intervals until it’s ready.

Delicious Sauces for Fish

I like to sprinkle parsley flakes over the fish after it’s plated. Also add lemon wedges or lemon slices and offer either this tartar sauce. Or if you prefer more of a tomato-based sauce, try this easy cocktail sauce.

Another sauce we enjoy is this lemon dill cream sauce. This one is especially good for people who love an extremely tart flavor. You can also tone down the tartness with a little bit of honey.

What to Do with Leftover Fish

I normally cook just enough fish for one meal. However, there are times when I want to have it for lunch the next day, either with a salad or in fish tacos.

When you want to store some for the next day, either wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. Sometimes I give it an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice so the flavor will seep into the fish. It should be good for another day or two. I don’t recommend freezing cooked tilapia because the texture of the fish will change.

Quick and Easy Dinner

Pick up a package of frozen tilapia for those nights when you’re too tired to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Next time you want a quick and easy dinner, simply pull out the fish, add the seasonings, and pop it into your air fryer. Dinner will be ready in a flash!

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