The air fryer and fish are a match made in heaven. This is the secret weapon to achieving tender and moist fish with a perfectly, crisp exterior.
Despite the name, air fryers are not fryers at all. They are similar to a convection oven and the healthier version of a deep fryer, creating food that tastes like it is fried without being drenched in oil. Despite being one of the most popular kitchen tools of the last five years and easy to use, the air fryer still prompts questions.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and some tips for cooking your Premier Catch seafood in the air fryer!
Air Fryer FAQS:
Which air fryer should I buy? If you do not have an air fryer yet and are curious about the options, it is impossible to go wrong. Most air fryers offer the same functionalities are the same size (four quarts) but we think these three are the best.
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Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer: This air fryer is designed like a classic convection oven but it has 13 cooking functions including air fryer and dehydration setting. Instead of a basket, it comes with pans for different types of food. The price is $399.95 on Amazon.
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Instant pot vortex: This air fryer has a 6 quart square basket and 6 main cooking functions. It is dishwasher safe and a sleek, modern design. What sets this air fryer apart is a small window to monitor cooking progress without opening the basket. The price is $109.95 on Amazon.
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Gourmia air fryer: This air fryer has a 7 quart square basket and 12 cooking functions. It is dishwasher safe and easy to clean. The price is $89.77 on Amazon.
Is air frying healthier than deep frying? Yes! Air frying cooks food by circulating hot air with a fan so the food is cooked by convection rather than in excess oil. The air fryer is loved for recipes such as homemade french fries, seafood, roasted vegetables, chicken tenders, and countless more.
Do I need to use oil? A major benefit of the air fryer is achieving crisp food with little to no oil but that is not the case for every recipe and using oil is still a viable option with the air fryer. Most of our air fryer recipes use little oil.
How is the air fryer different from the oven? The air fryer heats much faster than an oven so cooking time for most recipes is usually quicker.
How much can an air fryer hold? Most air fryers can fit two to four servings, depending on the meal. If you are making more servings, you can cook in batches.
How do I prevent food from sticking to my air fryer? Some foods are more prone to sticking to the air fryer than others such as white fish and breaded foods. To minimize this, we recommend spraying the basket lightly with olive oil or avocado oil spray. You can also prepare the food on foil or parchment paper to reduce sticking and cleanup!
How do I clean my air fryer? Most parts of the air fryer, such as the drawer or basket, are dishwasher safe but you should double check the product details before putting parts in the dishwasher. To clean the main body of the air fryer, you can use a mild cleaning spray or soap with wet paper towels.
Can I put file and parchment paper in the air fryer? Yes! These are smart ways to prepare and cook your food to minimize cleanup and food sticking to the air fryer.
Can I put frozen food in the air fryer? Yes! We have experimented most frequently with frozen sockeye and king salmon in the air fryer and it works like magic! The cooking time increases when cooking from frozen but this is a super easy way to prepare wild seafood from freezer to plate in less than 20 minutes.
Tips for Cooking Fish in the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer for about five minutes before cooking.
- Start with a little bit of avocado oil or place your fish on foil before placing it in the air fryer to prevent it from sticking to the basket.
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Cook fish for slightly less time than you would in the oven. If cooking from frozen, increase the cooking time by 1.5-2x. For example, we typically air fry sockeye salmon for 5-7 minutes at 400 degrees or frozen sockeye salmon for 14 minutes at 400 degrees.
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For air-fryer recipes, check the Premier Catch Recipe Blog and try our favorites including 1. Air Fryer Fish Taco Bowl, 2. Simple Air Fryer Salmon, and 3. Air Fryer Crab Rangoons.
If you have any additional questions, comments, or favorite recipes using the air fryer, email us at info@premiercatch.com or reach out on social media @premiercatch.
