Air Fryer Breaded Fish Sandwiches
These quick and easy Air Fryer Breaded Fish Sandwiches have flavorful crispy fish fillets, melted cheese and homemade tartar sauce on soft potato buns...all without a lot of oil. And they're ready in just about 30 minutes!
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Estimated Calories: 468
Ingredients
For the Homemade Tartar Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon finely diced white onions
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice, fresh or bottled water
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
For the Fish and Sandwiches:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup seasoned regular breadcrumbs
- ½ cup seasoned Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 (4-ounces each) pollock fillets, about ¾ inch thick; fresh or frozen (thawed completely if frozen); skinless and boneless
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, approximate, divided, for spraying the fillets (use a light olive oil that's meant for frying/high temperatures)
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 potato buns, sandwich/hamburger size
Special Equipment
- air fryer (I use a 6-quart basket-style air fryer)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat option, just let it heat for about 5 minutes at 400°F.
Make the Tartar Sauce:
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, onions, lemon juice, and parsley until well-combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
Prepare the Breaded Fish Fillets:
- Set up your breading station. In one shallow bowl, mix together the flour and Old Bay seasoning. In a second bowl, lightly beat the egg. In a third bowl, mix together the regular and panko breadcrumbs.
- Pat the fish fillets dry on both sides with a paper towel.
- Take one of the fish fillets and dredge it in flour, coating all sides. Lightly tap to shake off any excess flour.
- Dip the fillet into the beaten egg, coating all sides. Allow any excess egg to drip off.
- Place the fillet into the breadcrumbs, turning to coat all sides and gently pressing the crumbs into the fish so they adhere better. Place the breaded fillet on a plate.
- Repeat the breading procedure with the remaining 3 fish fillets.
Cook the Breaded Fish Fillets:
- Place the breaded fish fillets in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure to leave space between each one to allow the air to circulate so they will get nice and crispy. Lightly spray the top of each fillet with olive oil (I do about 3 sprays per fillet).
- Air fry for 5 minutes.
- Carefully flip the fillets over and lightly spray the other side of each one with olive oil (I do about another 3 sprays per fillet).
- Air fry for an additional 5 to 6 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, the fish flakes easily with a fork and the flesh is opaque (the internal temperature of the fish should be a minimum of 145°F).
- When the fish is cooked, turn off the air fryer and top each fillet with one slice of American cheese while still in the air fryer basket. Return the basket to the air fryer for a minute or so just until the residual heat melts the cheese.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
- For each sandwich, place one fillet with melted cheese on the bottom of one potato bun. Spoon ¼ of the tartar sauce on the fillet. Add the top of the bun.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Use fish fillets that are similar in size, shape and thickness so that they cook evenly.
- Any firm white fish could be used, such as cod, haddock, halibut or even tilapia.
- I use and recommend fish fillets that are about ¾ inch thick. Don't use fillets that are super thin (no less than ½ inch thick), as they will likely become overcooked by the time the breadcrumbs become golden and crispy.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can result in less-than-crispy coating. If your air fryer is smaller, cook the fish in 2 batches if needed.
- The cooking time given is an estimate. Not only are all air fryers different, but the time will also depend on the thickness of your fish. It's always best to go by temperature to know when the fish is done.
- Please refer to the post for additional tips, substitutions and variations, storing and reheating leftovers, and serving suggestions.
- Estimated calories shown are for 1 sandwich and take into account that not all of the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs will be used.
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