Looking for a healthy, delicious, and incredibly fast meal? This Air Fryer Halibut is your answer. It produces a visually appealing and more than acceptable flaky fish, with a great crunchy outer crust, that has not been deep fried. It’s a game-changer for busy weeknights.
This dish turns mild, firm, halibut into restaurant quality something in less than 20 minutes. The air fryer uses the hot air moving around it to offer the crispiness all the while maintaining the inner soft and juicy. It’s a simple, elegant meal you’ll make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is a healthy fish recipe that suits the current lifestyles that are hectic. It proves that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a nutritious and flavorful dinner.
- Fast and Simple: The time it takes to prepare this dish and complete it is less than 20 minutes and this makes it ideal to prepare at any last minute meal.
- Impeccably Healthy: Air frying requires much less oil compared to the conventional techniques, which makes the meal to be light, low calorie and low carbohydrate.
- Astounding Texture: A super duper crunchy depth of the fish fillet coating with the fish fillet pure inside.
- Less cleanup: The air fryer basket is the only component that needs to be cleaned and once that is done, you can wave those dirty pots and pans goodbye.
Ingredients
The recipe is made with absolutely basic ingredients and is easy to make which makes this dish beautifully savory and zesty. These quantities refer to two servings: they can be doubled, of course.
- Halibut Fillets: Two 6-ounce fillets, about 1-inch thick
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Panko Breadcrumbs: 1/4 cup (for a keto/low-carb option, use crushed pork rinds or almond flour)
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: 2 tablespoons
- Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon, or to taste
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, or to taste
- Lemon: For serving
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Halibut
Making this Air Fryer Halibut is incredibly straightforward. These easy steps are simple and easy to follow to achieve a perfect result each time.
Preparation
- Blot the halibut fillets dry with paper towel. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior.
- In a uniform manner, brush both sides of the fillets using olive oil.
- In a shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese, paprika and garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- In a breadcrumb mixture, dredge each fillet by pressing firmly to make the coat stick on to the fish.
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the coated fillets of halibut into the air fryer basket and fit in one layer. Do not overcrowd the basket.
- Cook in an air fryer at 8-12 minutes according to how thick your fillets are. There is no need to flip the fish.
- Smell to test doneness, the fish must be opaque and be flaked like a fork.
- To serve at once on fresh lemon quarters pressed over.
Recipe Details
| Time | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 15 minutes |
Serving Size: Serves 2
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Halibut
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: For the crispiest Air Fryer Halibut, cook the fillets in a single layer without them touching. This allows the hot air to circulate freely. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Check thickness: Depending on how thick your halibut is, this may increase or decrease the cooking time. The thinner fillets can take just 8 minutes whereas the thicker fillets can take as much as 12.
- Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: The surest means of doneness check is with a food thermometer. The internal temperature of the fish should reach 145°F (63°C) at its thickest point.
- Seasoning Variations: Feel free to customize the seasoning blend. A good flourish could be some dried herbs such as dill or parsley, onion powder or a little cayenne pepper.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Halibut
This is a flexible dish that can be served with many things. As a full and healthy meal, you could easily serve it with air-fried asparagus, fresh green salad with vinaigrette or fluffy quinoa as a side dish. Also, roasted potatoes or green vegetables steamed are a wonderful idea.
A Perfect Weeknight Dinner
This crispy Air Fryer Halibut recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a quick, healthy, and delicious meal. It is also an indication that you can prepare gourmet-style fish dinner on the table within minutes and with little effort.
We hope you enjoy this simple yet elegant recipe. I hope you give it a try, and do share with us your experience by leaving a comment and a rating below. Your feedback helps us and other readers!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use frozen halibut fillets?
Yes, you can use frozen halibut, but it’s best to thaw it completely first. Much of the moisture has to come off before seasoning so to ensure the ingredients are getting crispy. It can take 5-7 minutes more to cook when cooking frozen food.
How do I know when the halibut is cooked through?
The fish is cooked when its internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). The color of the flesh will become opaque and change from translucent to an opaque appearance and should peel easily with slight pressure of a fork. Make sure to not overcook it because halibut goes dry.
How should leftovers be stored and reheated?
Keep any unused halibut in a sealed container in the refrigerator where it lasts a maximum of 2 days. To reheat and revive the crispy texture, place it back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. The microwave should also be avoided because it will make the coating water.
Ingredients
- Two 6-ounce halibut fillets, about 1-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed pork rinds/almond flour for keto)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Lemon for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Blot the halibut fillets dry with a paper towel.
- Brush both sides of the fillets with olive oil.
- In a shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge each fillet in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so the coating sticks.
- Arrange the coated fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch.
- Cook for 8-12 minutes, depending on fillet thickness. No flipping is needed.
- The fish is done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve immediately with fresh lemon quarters squeezed over the top.
Notes
- Cooking Tips: For the crispiest result, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. The internal temperature of the fish should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Frozen Halibut: You can use frozen halibut, but it's best to thaw it completely and pat it dry before seasoning. Cooking from frozen may add 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.
- Seasoning Variations: You can add other seasonings like dried dill, parsley, onion powder, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Storage: Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To maintain crispiness, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes. Avoid using a microwave.