Mediterranean Cod in Air Fryer, a quick, tasty, and healthy solution for a stress-free fish main course.
Who said cooking fish is complicated or requires hours of preparation? If you have frozen cod fillets in the freezer and an air fryer handy, your next dinner is practically ready! Forget about pre-thawing, long baking times, or the smell of frying permeating the kitchen.
Today I present my “perfect” recipe for Mediterranean Cod in Air Fryer: cooked to perfection, making the fish tender inside and slightly crispy outside.
It’s the ideal solution for a quick weekday dinner, a light lunch, or when you simply crave something good, healthy, and effortless.
With just a few minutes of preparation and about twenty minutes of cooking, you’ll serve a main course that will win everyone over.
And the best part? Cleaning will be a breeze! 😉
Let’s see together how to make the recipe for Mediterranean Cod in Air Fryer. Gather the ingredients and let’s start!
And if you try it, don’t forget to let me know in the comments on my Facebook page HERE. I’ll be waiting for you.
Gabriella
Other delicious recipes to try:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 3 cod fillets (frozen – about 300g)
- 100 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic (whole or minced)
- 10 Taggiasca olives (or black olives)
- to taste oregano (or parsley or thyme)
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- breadcrumbs
- white wine (a splash)
Tools
- Air Fryer
- 1 Bowl
- Air Fryer Paper
Steps
First, wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters. Mince the garlic (if you prefer it whole, like I did, smash it and then remove it after cooking). If the olives are not already sliced, cut them.
Put them in a bowl, along with extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and oregano (or parsley/thyme); mix them. If you like, you can also add the grated zest of half a lemon.
Take the cod fillets still frozen and place them in a small baking dish suitable for your air fryer, or directly on the bottom of the basket lined with specific parchment paper for the fryer, as I did.
Splash them with a bit of white wine, sprinkle with a little salt and a handful of breadcrumbs. Before adding the cherry tomatoes, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, then, distribute the mix of cherry tomatoes and olives on and around the cod fillets.
Preheat the air fryer to 356°F for 3-5 minutes, insert the basket with the cod and cook for about 18-20 minutes. It’s not necessary to turn the fish.
Note: times may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets and the power of your fryer.The fish will be cooked when it becomes opaque white inside and easily flakes with a fork.
Remove the fillets gently and serve them immediately with their cherry tomato and olive sauce. Here is the Mediterranean Cod in Air Fryer ready. Enjoy your meal!
Until the next recipe.
Storage
You can store the Mediterranean Cod in Air Fryer in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, if possible, it is always better to consume it the day after preparation.
Tips and Suggestions
– If you use fresh cod fillets, the cooking time is significantly reduced: usually around 10-12 minutes. Given the reduced cooking time, if you add the cherry tomatoes and olives on top of the fish from the start, make sure to cut them a bit smaller to soften well.
– Without defrosting: using frozen fillets speeds up the process. There is no need to defrost them beforehand, just add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
– Garlic: if you don’t like garlic, you can use just a small smashed piece and remove it before serving.
– Variations: add desalted capers for a stronger flavor, or a pinch of chili if you want a spicy note.
– Variations: add desalted capers for a stronger flavor, or a pinch of chili if you want a spicy note.
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FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Do I need to defrost the cod fillets before cooking them?
Absolutely not! The advantage of this recipe is that the fillets go directly from the freezer to the air fryer. If you defrost them, the cooking might be too quick, and the fish would be less juicy.
Can I use fresh cod instead of frozen?
Certainly! Fresh cod is excellent. The only difference is that you’ll need to reduce the cooking time to about 10-12 minutes at 356°F (depending on thickness) and make sure to pat the fish dry with paper towels before seasoning it.
Won’t the air fryer burn the cherry tomatoes with such a long cooking time?
No, because the temperature of 356°F is moderate, and the cherry tomatoes (which contain a lot of water) are in contact with the frozen fish, which releases moisture during cooking. This process will soften and cook them properly, creating a delicious sauce without drying or burning them.
Can I use other types of fish with this recipe?
Yes, the recipe works great with other frozen white fish, such as:
Hake (same cooking time); Plaice (slightly shorter cooking time – about 15-18 minutes, due to thinner flesh); Salmon (increase time to 20-22 minutes).How do I know if the fish is cooked?
The best way is to check the internal temperature (which should reach 145°F), but if you don’t have a kitchen thermometer, just use a fork: the cod is ready when the flesh is opaque white throughout the fillet and easily flakes. If the center is still translucent or pink, it needs another 2-3 minutes.
