Air Fryer Crispy Fish with Dill Tartar Sauce
Air Fryer Crispy Fish with Dill Tartar Sauce is a quick and easy meal that makes the most crispy and crunchy texture with any thawed mild fish fillets.

Air Fryer Crispy Fish with Dill Tartar Sauce Recipe
The very best thing about air fried fish is the crispy texture. Instead of tons of oil for deep-fat frying, all an air fryer really needs to make food crispy and crunchy is a light spritzing of oil.
We use our air fryer for all kinds of things, you name it. From roasted vegetables, to French fries and sweet potato fries, to chicken tenders and fish sticks.

Here are the ingredients you need to make this air fryer fish recipe –
- Any type of mild fish fillets: Such as tilapia, swai, haddock, crappie, cod, or flounder (use whatever you prefer)
- Olive oil
- Panko bread crumbs
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
How to make Crispy Air Fryer Fish
In a shallow bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs with the spices. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Brush the fish fillets with oil, using a pastry brush or your fingertips. Brush the air fryer rack with oil as well.
Save this Recipe
Enter your email address and we will send you this recipe to your mailbox for easy reference! Plus, we will send you our latest recipes every week!
Dip the fillets into the prepared bread crumb mixture, placing each one onto the oiled air fryer rack in a single layer. Spritz or very gently brush the top of the fillets with oil. I like to use this oil spritzer.
Air fry the fish at 350 degrees F. for 4-5 minutes then turn the fillets over. Spritz the top of the fillets with oil. Continue to cook the fish for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the fish is cooked throughout and flakes easily with a fork at the center (or the thickest part of the fillet) when tested. The fish should be golden brown and crispy on both sides.
Meanwhile, combine the tartar sauce ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well to combine. Serve the fish warm with the tartar sauce on the side.

Panko bread crumbs make food more crispy
Panko bread crumbs are irregular is size and shape with a light and delicate texture – exactly why they make the most wonderful breading! Because panko absorbs less oil that traditional bread crumbs, it makes food much more crispy and crunchy on the exterior when air fried.
How to freeze fish to air fry later
To freeze the fish, proceed through the step of breading each fillet. Place the fish onto a greased baking sheet not touching each other.
Freeze the fish until solid, then remove them, still frozen, to a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
No non-stick spray for the air fryer – only use oil
Nonstick spray is a big no-no for any and all air fryers, pretty much. Nonstick spray from aerosol cans is known to cause chipping of the exterior coating on air fryer trays and baskets. It’s best to stick with oil for coating surfaces.
More Favorite Air Fryer Meat Recipes
Air fryers make meat so easy to cook. We love simple frozen tilapia filets, chuck roast, and even prime rib in our air fryer.

Crispy Air Fryer Fish with Easy Dill Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
Crispy Fish Ingredients
- 4 fish fillets, such as tilapia, swai, haddock, cod or flounder (we use flounder and tilapia a lot)
- olive oil, for brushing the fish
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. paprika (I like to use smoked paprika)
- 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder
Dill Tartar Sauce Ingredients (Tartar sauce is optional but so good!)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 Tbs. dill pickle relish
- 1/2 -1 tsp. dried dill weed
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Fish
- In a shallow bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs with the spices; season to taste with salt and pepper.Brush the fish fillets with oil, using a pastry brush or your fingertips.
- Dip the fillets on all sides into the prepared bread crumb mixture then place each one onto an oiled air fryer rack in a single layer; spritz with more oil, if desired, to make the topping more crispy as it air fries, if desired.
- Air fry the fish at 350 degrees F. for 4-5 minutes then turn; spritz the top of the fillets with oil. Continue to cook the fish for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the fish is cooked throughout and flakes easily with a fork at the center (or the thickest part of the fillet) when tested.Serve the fish warm with the tartar sauce on the side.
Prepare the Tartar Sauce
- Meanwhile, combine the tartar sauce ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well to combine.
Notes
Be sure to check the blog post for tips and tricks, specific recipe instructions, and FAQ’s!
Nutrition
We love hearing from our readers and followers, so leave us a comment if you’d like. If you don’t hear back from us shortly, know that we may not have seen your comment. Feel free to reach out to us by email: ChefAlli@ChefAlli.com.
Let’s Get You Cookin’,
Chef Alli
Please Note: We do use referral and affiliate links here for products and services that Chef Alli loves and recommends. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer here.