010: AIR FRYER FISH FILLETS

🐟 Air Fryer Crispy Fish Fillets — Sea-Breeze Crunch

Archetype: The Lightkeeper — bright lemon, clean heat, and a shattering crust; seaside comfort made weeknight-simple.

🥣 What It Is

Golden, crunchy fish fillets from the air fryer: tender inside, crisp outside, with almost no oil. Choose classic panko, gluten-free almond–cornmeal, or low-carb crusts. Serve with lemon and a quick yogurt-tartar.

🧾 Ingredients (serves 2–3)

• Fish: 1 lb (450 g) white fish fillets (cod, haddock, pollock, tilapia), patted very dry
• Season: 1/2 tsp fine sea salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp paprika (or Old Bay)
• Dredge setup:
  • Tray 1 (light flour): 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or 1/3 cup fine rice flour/GF blend)
  • Tray 2 (egg wash): 1 large egg + 1 tbsp water, whisked
  • Tray 3 (crumbs): 1 cup panko or 2/3 cup almond flour + 1/3 cup fine cornmeal (GF/low-carb-ish)
• 1–2 tsp olive oil (spray or brush, for the crumbs)
• Quick Yogurt-Tartar (SF): 1/2 cup Greek yogurt • 1 tbsp finely chopped pickles/capers • 1 tsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp Dijon • pinch salt & pepper
• Finish: lemon wedges • chopped parsley

✍️ Method (15–20 min)

1. Preheat: Heat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes. Line basket with perforated parchment or lightly oil.
2. Season fish: Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika. Rub over both sides of the dried fillets.
3. Dredge: Coat fish lightly in Tray 1 flour; shake off excess. Dip in Tray 2 egg wash. Press into Tray 3 crumbs until fully coated. Mist or brush the crumbed fish with a thin film of oil.
4. Air fry: Arrange fillets in a single layer, not touching. Cook 8–10 minutes, flipping at 6 minutes, until crust is deep golden and fish is opaque and flakes easily. Target internal 145°F / 63°C.
5. Sauce & serve: Stir yogurt-tartar. Plate fish with lemon wedges and a shower of parsley.

🌿 Maker’s Notes

• Maximum crunch: Toast panko in a dry skillet 2–3 min to lightly golden before dredging.
• No soggy bottoms: Preheat thoroughly; don’t crowd the basket; flip once.
• Low-carb path: Use almond flour + pork panko (or all almond) and skip cornmeal.
• Fish tacos fast: Slice cooked fillets into strips; tuck into warm tortillas with slaw and salsa.

📜 Lore / Origin

From British chip shops to coastal shacks, fried fish is a universal comfort. The air fryer keeps the spirit—crackle and steam—while trading vats of oil for a quick, clean blast of heat.

🌺 Benefits

• Lean protein: satiating, quick-cooking
• Air-fry method: crisp texture with minimal oil
• Yogurt-tartar: probiotics and brightness without heavy mayo

🧭 Self-Score to 100

• Comfort Factor: 20/20
• Flavor Balance: 20/20
• Crunch & Texture: 20/20
• Ease & Speed: 20/20
• Mythic Resonance: 20/20

Total: 100/100 — Seaside crunch, weeknight-fast.