FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Air Fryer Cod Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cook Cod In The Air Fryer
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes
• My Tools For This Recipe
• Air Fryer Cod (Easy 15-Minute Dinner) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Even though my oven baked cod , pan fried cod , and grilled cod are tasty and simple, this air fryer cod is probably the easiest of all my cod recipes — and certainly the fastest. Since it cooks so quickly and uses basic ingredients, it’s one of those busy weeknight staples I keep in my back pocket. Making cod in the air fryer will save your evening when you need a last-minute healthy dinner without much prep or cleanup. And it doesn’t get any easier.

Why You’ll Love My Air Fryer Cod Recipe

• Mild, lemony garlic flavor – Cod has a pretty mild taste and is not too “fishy”, making it a great option if you’re on the fence about seafood . But the fresh lemon and my simple spice blend prevent the neutral flavor from being boring.
• Tender, flaky texture – Cod fillets can be a little meaty, which isn’t my favorite texture for fish — I’ll take moist and flaky any day! Luckily, cooking cod in the air fryer is one of the best ways to get those delicate, tender flakes. This little appliance locks in moisture so well.
• Simple ingredients – All you need is the cod fish, olive oil, a lemon, and some spices. No flour, breadcrumbs, or specialty ingredients!
• Quick and easy – Air fryer cod is ready in just 15 minutes, including the prep and cooking times. It doesn’t leave me with a bunch of dishes to clean up afterward, either. Win-win!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer cod recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Cod Fillets – I prefer wild-caught cod fish, but you can use any variety. Look for fillets that are about 6 ounces each and similar in thickness, so that they cook at the same rate. My air fryer cod recipe also works with other types of white fish, such as haddock , flounder , red snapper , sole, or halibut .
• Lemon – You’ll need a fresh lemon (not bottled lemon juice), because my recipe uses the zest as well as the juice. While you could use just one or the other, the flavor is best using both!
• Olive Oil – You can also use a different neutral cooking oil, such as avocado oil . Sometimes I even use butter for extra flavor — it doesn’t burn with the short cook time here.
• Spices – I use common staples you probably have on hand, too: paprika , garlic powder , optional cayenne pepper (for a little heat), sea salt, and black pepper. If you like a bolder flavor, try my blackened seasoning , Cajun seasoning , or just use store-bought Old Bay seasoning instead.

How To Cook Cod In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Mix the seasonings. In a small bowl, stir together salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne.
2. Mix the oil and lemon. In a second bowl, stir together the olive oil, lemon juice and lemon zest.

1. Season the fish. Pat the fillets dry and brush them with the olive oil mixture. Sprinkle the seasoning on both sides.
2. Air fry. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the cod in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry until the fish is golden brown on top and flakes easily with a fork. I garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for serving. Don’t miss my tips below for extra moist results!

My Recipe Tips

• Choose thick fillets if you can. I recommend thicker ones for most cod recipes, because they don’t dry out as easily. You can use either whole fillets or cod loins. I’ve done both, but prefer to make air fryer cod using loins, because they are generally thicker and higher quality.
• Cook times can vary depending on thickness. If you get a few pieces of fish that are different thicknesses, the thinner pieces will be done closer to 7-8 minutes. You can remove those when done and leave the thicker pieces in a few more minutes if needed.
• For moist, flaky results, use a meat thermometer. You can use my time estimate of 8-10 minutes to air fry cod, but I’m very particular about not drying out my fish, so I always use this meat thermometer . The fish turns out extra moist and flaky if I remove it at an internal temperature of 135-140 degrees F, rather than the 145 degrees F that is often recommended.
• You can cook frozen cod in the air fryer, too. To do this, air fry for 3-4 minutes first until thawed, then add the oil, lemon, and seasonings, and continue air frying for the usual amount of time, until nice and flaky. It usually takes 12-15 minutes total for me.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: To retain its moist, flaky texture, I highly recommend reheating the cod in the air fryer again, this time at 350 degrees F. It takes only 2-3 minutes to warm up.
• Freeze: You can freeze the fish for up to 3 months, though it doesn’t taste quite as good as fresh after thawing.

Serving Suggestions

Since my air fryer cod recipe uses common spices, it goes with almost any side dish! Try one (or more) of these:

• Asparagus – My favorite pairing for fish! Choose from my roasted asparagus (my most popular version), sauteed asparagus , grilled asparagus (perfect for summer), bacon wrapped asparagus , or make my air fryer asparagus for an entire meal in the same appliance.
• Air Fryer Veggies – If asparagus isn’t your thing, you can toss mixed vegetables in the air fryer to use up whatever you have on hand. But you can also choose just one veggie — my air fryer broccoli or air fryer zucchini both pair well with fish.
• Potatoes – My kids always ask for my air fryer potatoes with this main dish. You can also opt for Instant Pot baked potatoes or a baked sweet potato if you plan ahead. Need a lighter swap? I’ve got options like fried radishes , roasted rutabaga (the texture is a lot like potatoes), or loaded cauliflower casserole .
• Salads – For a fresh, light meal, I like to serve air fryer cod with a salad. Try my creamy cucumber salad , fruity spring mix salad , or summery strawberry spinach salad — or choose from one of my other healthy salad recipes !
• Sauces – Not required, but a sauce does take the fish up a notch! Simple lemon butter sauce is my weakness, but tartar sauce also tastes great (I have a recipe for sugar-free tartar sauce too, if you need it).
• Fish Tacos – Flake the cod with a fork and stuff into your favorite tortillas with some taco slaw , avocado, and fresh cilantro. So good!

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

Fish and seafood already cook quickly, so the air fryer gets them ready lightning fast! Here are some of my other seafood dishes made in my fave appliance:

Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Shrimp

Air Fryer Lobster

Air Fryer Tilapia

My Tools For This Recipe

• Air Fryer – This is the one I have. It has a customizable touch screen, and my favorite part is the dishwasher-safe roomy basket!
• Basting Brush – For brushing on the lemon oil mixture. This one won’t leave bristles on your food, unlike traditional brushes.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 4 6-oz Cod fillets ▢
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, from 1/2 a lemon) ▢
• 1 tsp Lemon zest (from 1 lemon) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 3/4 tsp Paprika ▢
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional) ▢
• Cooking spray ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
2. Pat each fish fillet dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, stir together salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne. Set aside.
4. In a separate small bowl, stir together olive oil, lemon juice and lemon zest.
5. Brush each cod fillet with the olive oil/lemon mixture (on both sides). Sprinkle seasoning on both sides and pat gently (so it sticks to the fish).
6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the cod in the air fryer basket (do not crowd the basket, cook in batches if necessary). Cook for 8-10 minutes , until golden brown on top and 140-145 degrees F (60-63 degrees C) in the center of the largest fillet.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cod fillet

Nutrition info does not include cayenne pepper or cooking spray.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Air Fryer Cod

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Air Fryer Cod (Easy 15-Minute Dinner)

Enjoy a light dinner with this flaky, moist air fryer cod recipe in 15 minutes, using simple ingredients like olive oil, lemon, and spices.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/air-fryer-cod/

Ingredients

• 4 6-oz Cod fillets
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, from 1/2 a lemon)
• 1 tsp Lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 3/4 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
2. Pat each fish fillet dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, stir together salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne. Set aside.
4. In a separate small bowl, stir together olive oil, lemon juice and lemon zest.
5. Brush each cod fillet with the olive oil/lemon mixture (on both sides). Sprinkle seasoning on both sides and pat gently (so it sticks to the fish).
6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the cod in the air fryer basket (do not crowd the basket, cook in batches if necessary). Cook for 8-10 minutes , until golden brown on top and 140-145 degrees F (60-63 degrees C) in the center of the largest fillet.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cod fillet

Nutrition info does not include cayenne pepper or cooking spray.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)