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Air Fryer Garlic Butter Cod

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  • Prep time: 5 minutes

  • Cook time: 10-12 minutes

  • Total time: 15-17 minutes

  • Servings: 2-4 servings

  • Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Cod:

  • 1 pound cod fillets, fresh or thawed (about 1-inch thick)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus lemon wedges for serving)

  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 teaspoon fresh)

  • A pinch of smoked paprika (optional, for color and subtle smoky flavor)

Equipment Needed

  • Air Fryer

  • Small mixing bowl

  • Whisk or spoon

  • Tongs or spatula

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. This is an important step to ensure the fish starts cooking immediately, which helps with the crust formation and prevents it from sticking.

  • While the air fryer preheats, pat the cod fillets dry very thoroughly with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial for getting a good sear and preventing the fish from steaming in the air fryer.

  • Brush both sides of the cod fillets lightly with the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. This adds another layer of fat that helps with browning and prevents sticking.

  • Season both sides of the cod evenly with the 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.

2. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, dried oregano, and smoked paprika (if using) until well combined. This fragrant sauce will baste the fish and create that amazing flavor.

3. Air Fry the Cod:

  • Gently place the seasoned cod fillets in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding will prevent the air from circulating properly and lead to steaming instead of frying.

  • Set the air fryer to cook at 400°F (200°C). Cook for 10-12 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your cod fillets. Thinner fillets (around 1/2 inch) will take closer to 8-10 minutes, while thicker ones (1.5 inches) might take 12-14 minutes.

4. Baste with Flavor:

  • About halfway through the cooking time (around 5-6 minutes), open the air fryer basket and carefully flip the cod fillets using tongs or a spatula.

  • Generously brush or spoon the prepared garlic butter sauce over the top of each fillet. Be generous—this is where the main flavor comes from!

  • Close the basket and continue cooking for the remaining 4-6 minutes.

5. Check for Doneness:

  • The cod is done when it is opaque and flakes easily when gently prodded with a fork. You can also use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fillet; it should register 145°F (63°C).

  • For an extra touch of golden color, you can cook the fish for an additional 1-2 minutes after it has flaked, watching it closely so it doesn’t overcook.

6. Serve:

  • Carefully transfer the cooked cod fillets to a serving platter or individual plates.

  • Drizzle any remaining garlic butter sauce from the bottom of the air fryer basket (if there is any) or brush on a little extra fresh sauce.

  • Garnish with more freshly chopped parsley.

  • Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish just before eating. The bright, acidic burst of lemon cuts through the rich butter sauce perfectly.

Tips for Success

  • Pat Dry Thoroughly: Don’t skip this step! Moisture is the enemy of a good crust. Use multiple paper towels to ensure the fish is as dry as possible before seasoning and oiling.

  • Don’t Overcrowd: Cook the cod in a single layer with space between the fillets. If your air fryer basket is small, it’s better to cook in two batches to ensure even cooking and that coveted golden-brown exterior.

  • Adjust Cook Time for Thickness: The cooking time provided is a guideline. Thicker cod will need more time, while thinner fillets will cook faster. The best way to tell if it’s done is by checking for flakiness with a fork or using a meat thermometer.

  • Flip Gently: Cod is a delicate fish and can flake apart easily. Use a wide spatula or tongs and flip the fillets with care to keep them intact.

  • Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheating ensures the fish starts cooking immediately upon hitting the basket, which helps create a better crust and prevents it from sticking to the bottom.

  • Use Fresh Lemon Juice: While bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, fresh lemon juice has a brighter, more vibrant flavor that truly elevates the sauce.

  • Grate Your Own Garlic: Pre-minced garlic in a jar is convenient, but freshly minced garlic has a much more potent and aromatic flavor. It’s worth the extra minute of chopping.

  • Make Extra Sauce: If you love garlic butter, feel free to double the sauce ingredients. You can serve the extra sauce on the side for dipping or drizzle it over your side dishes.

  • Try Different Fish: This recipe also works well with other firm white fish like halibut, tilapia, or haddock. Just adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the fillets.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, based on 4 servings)

  • Calories: 280

  • Total Fat: 18g

  • Saturated Fat: 9g

  • Cholesterol: 110mg

  • Sodium: 450mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 2g

  • Dietary Fiber: 0g

  • Sugars: 0g

  • Protein: 28g

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