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. 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.
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.
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 dish…
- 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!
Air Fryer Fish Tacos 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 Air Fryer Fish Tacos
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.
1
Prep
Prepare and season fish filets, then coat them in oil, flour, egg wash, and bread crumbs.
2
Air Fry
Air fry the fish sticks until crispy.
3
Warm
Warm the tortillas on the stovetop.
4
Assemble
Assemble the tacos with fish sticks, cabbage, jalapeño, and crema.
5
Enjoy
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Try with our popular Smoked Salsa recipe!
Air Fryer Fish Tacos FAQ
Can I use any white fish for this recipe?
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.
How can I ensure the fish sticks don’t stick 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.
Can this recipe be made in advance?
You can bread the fish sticks beforehand, but I wouldn’t recommend cooking them until immediately before cooking.
What’s the best way to reheat the leftovers?
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 great recipes using fish to love!
- 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.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 460Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 815mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 30g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.