Our easy, homemade Air Fryer Fish Tacos recipe is a fun twist on the classic fish taco, combining the convenience of an air fryer with the quality of homemade fish sticks.
Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Get the air fryer heating because today we are making some homemade, easy, Breaded Fish Tacos! These tacos are simple and feature fresh flavors and no funny stuff. Whether you're a seasoned cook or new to the kitchen, this recipe offers a straightforward approach to a delicious meal.
This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy a healthier version of fried fish without compromising on flavor. The use of an air fryer ensures that each bite is perfectly crispy, while the blend of spices and the tanginess of cilantro lime crema add a burst of flavor. It's a simple yet impressive dish that's ideal for a family dinner or a casual get-together.
An air fryer is the perfect place to cook these because it makes the fish sticks perfectly crispy, providing a healthier alternative to traditional frying. The combination of tender fish, crunchy cabbage, and spicy jalapeño, all wrapped in a warm tortilla, makes a taco that everyone will love!
If you don't have an air fryer, these can be made in the oven. Use the same temperature and approximate times, but flip halfway through the cook time.
You can even cook these in your Traeger if you want to! It is basically a big outdoor wood-fired oven, after all!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthier Option: Using an air fryer reduces the amount of oil needed, making it a healthier choice.
- Flavorful & Fresh: The mix of spices and cilantro lime crema adds zest and freshness.
- Versatile: Easily adjust the toppings to suit your taste preferences.
- Convenient & Quick: Perfect for a hassle-free yet delicious meal.
- Fun to Make: An enjoyable cooking experience, especially when assembling the tacos.
Get all of my Air Fryer Recipes here!
Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- White fish filets
- Oil
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Old Bay seasoning
- Flour
- Eggs
- Milk
- Panko bread crumbs
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded cabbage
- Cilantro lime crema
- Jalapeño
This recipe uses our Air Fryer Fish Sticks!
How To Make This Recipe
This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
Make The Fish Sticks
- Prep The Fish – Pat fish dry, cut into 3-inch strips.
- Season – Rub fish with oil and sprinkle with half the salt, onion powder, and Old Bay.
- Set Up Breading Station – Mix remaining salt into flour. Beat eggs with milk in a separate bowl. Add panko to a plastic bag.
- Bread The Fish – Dredge in flour, dip in egg wash, and toss in the panko bag to coat.
- Air Fry – Place in air fryer and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Assemble The Tacos
- Warm The Tortillas – Heat on the stove until pliable and slightly charred.
- Build Your Tacos – Add 2 fish sticks per tortilla, then top with shredded cabbage, jalapeño slices, and a drizzle of cilantro lime crema.
Try with our popular Smoked Salsa recipe!
Recipe FAQ
Yes, most white fish varieties work well for this recipe.
Cod: Cod is a popular choice due to its mild flavor and flaky texture. It holds up well to seasoning and cooking in the air fryer.
Tilapia: A budget-friendly option, tilapia is widely available and has a sweet, mild taste. Its firm texture makes it ideal for tacos.
Haddock: Similar to cod, haddock has a slightly sweeter taste. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a delicate, flaky fish.
Halibut: Known for its dense and firm texture, halibut is a premium choice for fish tacos. It has a clean, slightly sweet taste.
Mahi-Mahi: This fish offers a slightly stronger flavor compared to others and is prized for its firm, lean texture.
Snapper: Snapper has a slightly nutty and sweet flavor. Its firm texture holds up well in the air fryer.
Please make sure each piece is well-coated and avoid overcrowding the air fryer. If your air fryer is prone to sticking, give it a spray of cooking spray before adding the fish sticks to the fryer baskets.
You can bread the fish sticks beforehand, but I wouldn't recommend cooking them until immediately before cooking.
Reheat the leftovers back in the air fryer until they are hot. I recommend using a lower temperature, around 300-325°F, for the best results.
Our Fish Taco Slaw would be great with these!
Serve This With
More Fish Recipes
- Beer Battered Fish Bites
- Cornmeal Fried Fish
- Traeger Grilled Swordfish
- Blackstone Blackened Fish Tacos
- Grilled Halibut
- Beer Battered Halibut and Chips
- Bluefin Tuna Poke Bowl
- Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Halibut
Air Fryer Breaded Fish Tacos
These crispy homemade fish tacos are made from homemade fish sticks and make excellent fish tacos! Top with cabbage, jalapeño, and cilantro lime crema.
Ingredients
Homemade Fish Sticks
- 1 pound white fish filets
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon old bay seasoning
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
Tacos
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup cilantro lime crema
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
Instructions
Fish Sticks
Lay out the fish filets and pat dry with a paper towel.
Cut the fish into strips that are approximately 3 inches long and have height and width of 1/2 inch.
Pour the oil onto the fish and rub it in until all pieces have a light oil coating.
Lay out your fish pieces and sprinkle 1/2 of your salt, all of the onion powder, and the Old Bay onto it.
Put the other half of your salt into the flour and mix well.
Crack your eggs into a bowl, add the milk, and mix thoroughly.
Pour your panko bread crumbs into a 1-gallon plastic baggie.
Dredge the fish through the flour and shake the excess off.
Dip your fish pieces into the egg wash and let the excess drip off before putting them into the bread crumbs.
When all the fish pieces are in the baggie with the bread crumbs, seal it up and shake the whole bag until all the pieces of fish have an even coating of the bread crumbs.
Remove the fish pieces from the baggie and lay them out evenly in your air fryer.
Cook in your air fryer for 10 minutes at 400°F.
Tacos
Heat the tortillas on the stovetop.
Add a couple of cooked fish sticks to each tortilla.
Top with the cabbage, jalapeño, and cilantro lime crema.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 460Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 815mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 30g