Weeknights are easier with this air fryer fish taco recipe. These quick fish tacos come out crispy in 20 minutes or less when you cook frozen battered fillets in the air fryer.
This recipe is a fast, reliable dinner you can make any night of the week. I tested popular frozen fish in the air fryer and landed on a simple method that makes the coating crunchy and the interior flaky—never soggy or oily. Perfect for a busy Taco Tuesday.
If you’re new to the air fryer, other simple fish options to try are Air Fryer Cod, Air Fry Fish Sticks, or Air Fryer Fish and Chips.
Ingredients in Air Fryer Fish
Below is a summary of ingredients used for Air Fryer Fish Tacos. The full recipe follows later in the recipe card.
- Frozen battered fish fillets – I used Gorton’s (about 2 ounces per fillet). Use your preferred brand.
- Tortillas – Flour works well, but corn, low-carb, or gluten-free options are fine. Street-taco size fits one fillet; larger fajita tortillas work for adults.
- Cotija cheese and shredded cabbage – Queso fresco can substitute for cotija. Cabbage gives a satisfying crunch; use lettuce if you prefer.
- Optional toppings: sour cream or a yogurt-based sauce, tomatoes, avocado, lime, cilantro, and hot sauce.
How to make fish tacos
All you need is an air fryer with a basket or rack.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2–3 minutes and lightly spray the basket or rack with oil.
- Place the frozen battered fillets in the air fryer and cook about 12–13 minutes, flipping once at roughly the 7-minute mark.
- When the fillets are crispy and cooked through, transfer them to tortillas (use 1–2 fillets per tortilla depending on size). Top with shredded cabbage, cotija, and your preferred toppings.
What to Serve with Fish Tacos
A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro, and a dash of hot sauce complement these tacos well. Suggested sides:
- Grilled pineapple salsa
- Cilantro lime cauliflower rice
- Easy fajita vegetables
- Spicy sweet potato cubes
- Mexican street corn
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store leftover components in separate airtight containers for 2–3 days.
Freezer: Cooked fish fillets can be frozen up to 2 months. Avoid freezing assembled tacos.
To reheat, warm fillets in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes or in the oven for 5–10 minutes, then reassemble the tacos.
More Easy Recipes
- Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Taquitos in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Air Fryer Fish Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 frozen battered fish fillets
- 2 tortillas, or 4 street taco sized tortillas
- 1/4 cup cotija cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
- Optional: 2 ounces sour cream or fiesta yogurt, tomatoes, avocados
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes.
- Spray the basket or rack with oil and arrange frozen fillets in a single layer.
- Cook 7 minutes, flip, then cook another 5–6 minutes until the fillets are flaky and crispy.
- Place fillets in tortillas (two per large tortilla or one per street taco), top with cabbage and cotija, and garnish with sour cream, fiesta yogurt, avocado, or tomatoes.
Notes
I used Gorton’s Crispy Battered Fish Fillets; each fillet is about 2 ounces.
Fiesta Yogurt: Mix plain unsweetened yogurt with a ranch fiesta dip mix and lime juice; thin with water to a drizzling consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an approximation.
Additional Info
Share your result on Instagram by mentioning @itstartswithgoodfood or tagging #itstartswithgoodfood.