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Quick Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Fish For Busy Nights

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Fish

Light, flaky white fish coated in a zesty lemon pepper and garlic crust, air-fried with lemon slices for a bright, fresh dinner that's ready in minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

  • 4 white fish fillets about 150 g each, such as cod, haddock or tilapia
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of ½ lemon plus wedges to serve
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour for dusting
  • 1 tablespoon cornflour
  • Lemon slices for the basket
  • Fresh parsley chopped, to finish

Method
 

  1. Dry and check the fish. Lay the fillets on kitchen paper and press gently until the surface feels tacky rather than wet. Run your fingertips over each one to check for stray bones — they should feel perfectly smooth. Set the air fryer to preheat at 190°C for 3 minutes.
  2. Build the coating. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornflour, lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, dried parsley and lemon zest. It should smell sharply citrusy and peppery the moment you stir it.
  3. Dress the fish. Brush each fillet all over with the olive oil, then press it into the seasoning mixture so every side is evenly coated. The fillets should look pale gold and slightly textured, not caked.
  4. Prepare the basket. Lay two or three lemon slices in the base of the air fryer drawer — they perfume the fish as it cooks and stop it sticking. Place the fillets on top in a single layer, leaving a finger's width between them. If your fillets are large, cook them in two batches rather than crowding them.
  5. Air fry. Cook at 190°C for 8 minutes. At this point the coating should be set and lightly golden at the edges, and you'll hear a gentle sizzle when you open the drawer.
  6. Finish with butter and lemon. Brush the melted butter over the tops and squeeze over the juice of half a lemon. Cook for a further 2–4 minutes, until the fish flakes easily when nudged with a fork and the internal temperature reads 63°C. The butter should smell nutty and the lemon sharp and fresh.
  7. Rest briefly. Lift the fillets onto a warmed plate and leave them for 2 minutes. Scatter with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Use cod, haddock or tilapia fillets of even thickness for best results. Pat the fish completely dry so the coating adheres. Cook in two batches if the fillets are large or your air fryer basket is small. The fish is done when it flakes easily and reaches 63°C (145°F).