🐟🧄 Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Butter Cod

Crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Butter Cod is a quick, healthy seafood dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Finished with a rich garlic butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

⏱️ Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: 20–25 minutes
• Servings: 4

---

🛒 Ingredients

🐟 Cod

• 4 cod fillets (5–6 ounces each), patted dry
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

🌿 Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

🍞 Crispy Coating

• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

🧄 Garlic Butter

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

🍋 For Serving

• Lemon wedges
• Extra chopped parsley

---

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Cod

1. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels.
2. Brush lightly with olive oil.
3. Season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

---

2. Coat the Fish

1. In a shallow bowl, combine:
   • Panko breadcrumbs
   • Parmesan cheese
   • Dried parsley
2. Press the breadcrumb mixture gently onto both sides of each fillet.

---

3. Air Fry

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
3. Arrange the cod in a single layer, leaving space between the fillets.
4. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, or until the coating is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).

---

4. Make the Garlic Butter

While the cod cooks:

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Stir in the parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

---

5. Finish & Serve

• Brush or drizzle the warm garlic butter over the cooked cod.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

---

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Pair with:

• 🥔 Garlic mashed potatoes
• 🍚 Lemon herb rice
• 🥦 Steamed broccoli
• 🥕 Roasted asparagus or green beans
• 🥗 Caesar or garden salad
• 🍟 Air-fried potato wedges

---

💡 Tips & Variations

• Fresh cod works best, but thawed frozen fillets also work well—pat them very dry first.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
• Try haddock, pollock, or halibut using the same method.

---

🧊 Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes to restore crispiness.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked cod for up to 2 months.

---

🍴 Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 360
• Protein: 34 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fat: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 520 mg

This Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Butter Cod delivers perfectly flaky fish with a crunchy Parmesan-panko coating and a rich garlic butter finish—an easy, flavorful dinner that’s both comforting and light. 🐟🧄✨