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A delicious plate of Air Fryer Battered Fish

Homemade Air Fryer Battered Fish Recipe

This air fryer battered fish is perfectly crispy, golden, and flaky inside, delivering pub-style fish with a light crunchy coating using almost no oil.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: British
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb white fish fillets
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup flour for dredging
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup ice-cold sparkling water
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Cut fish into even portions and pat completely dry.
  2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
  3. Slowly add sparkling water and mix until smooth batter forms.
  4. Dredge fish lightly in flour.
  5. Dip fish into batter and let excess drip off.
  6. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  7. Place fish in basket in a single layer.
  8. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
  9. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
  10. Cook until golden and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  11. Rest 2 minutes and serve immediately.

Notes

Use ice-cold sparkling water for the crispiest batter. Do not overcrowd the basket and always pat fish completely dry before coating.