Best way to cook snapper is in an air fryer
Air fried snapper fillet is a healthy and aromatic recipe that you can make with very little effort in just 10 minutes in the air fryer.
Snapper itself has a mild sweet and nutty taste and they have a low “fishy” flavor compared to other fish. So, it is a great nutritious and low-calorie choice for fish without the strong “fishy” flavor. Also, many different condiments can be used to complement its taste.
Simple condiments from your cupboard and fresh red snapper fillet are all it takes to prepare this incredibly delicious dish. It’s perfect for lunch and dinner, and it can be enjoyed on its own with a fresh squeeze of lemon or with our mouth-watering serving suggestions below.
Things to note:
Use fresh fish: I personally prefer to use fresh fish fillet for the best results possible, but if you have to, good-quality frozen fish fillet will be just fine.
Give your own little touch: When I created this recipe, I made sure the ingredients were simple and handy so more people could easily follow it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t spice things up if you want to! There are some seasonings I suggest you try with air fried snapper, such as smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder (if you don’t mind the heat!), and capers. As for the sauces, my favorites are dill sauce and tartar sauce.
Overcrowding your air fryer is a big no-no: When placing the fish in the basket, make sure they’re evenly spread in one layer and not stacked. Otherwise, your snapper will get steamed, unevenly cooked, or even undercooked. Find out more on how to choose the right-sized air fryer for you.
Air fryer parchment paper or silicone air fryer liners: Although most air fryer baskets are coated with a non-stick surface, food may still stick to it. This makes removing the food in one piece a little tricky. This especially applicable to fish because fish meat is delicate when cooked so it will pull apart if any bit of meat is stuck to the basket. Therefore, it is recommended to use air fryer parchment paper or silicone air fryer liners to make removal of the snapper fillets easy.
Buying and preparing: Look for snapper fillets in your local seafood market or supermarket as they are cleaned and usually descaled. Then all you need to do is give them a quick rinse and pat them dry before adding the seasoning. While doing this, run your fingers along the skin to make sure that all the scales have been removed. Use a fork to scrap of any remaining scales.
If you prefer to get fresh snapper from the fish markets, which is usually sold as a whole fish, then you will need to clean and fillet the snapper yourself. Follow this 12 step process by clicking here.
I have kept the skin on for this recipe as the air fryer makes it nice and crispy. However, the recipe is just as nice without the skin.
Don’t limit yourself with snapper: Though this recipe works great for snapper, it’s not the only fish variety you can use. Whenever I don’t find them in my fridge, I look for some substitutes like cod, grouper, catfish, or sea bass. But please note that the time may need to be adjusted for the thickness of the other types of fillets.
Serving Suggestions:
- Roasted butternut squash/pumpkin or air fried garlic butternut squash/pumpkin.
- Air fried mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini is quick and healthy.
- Sautéed, oven-roasted, or air fried asparagus is a quick, easy side that I like to serve with my air fried snapper sometimes. Olive oil, salt, black pepper, cook your asparagus, and that’s it.
- Steamed broccolini with some garlic and salt.
- Rice pilaf is a wonderful complement to most kinds of fish, and that certainly includes air fried snapper! It’s lightly seasoned, so it won’t be overwhelming, and it’s full of carbs that will keep you going. I like to season my rice pilaf with turmeric, bay leaf, lime zest, and paprika.
- I sometimes like to eat my air fried snapper with creamy mashed potatoes. This delicious old comfort food brings back so many memories of home, and I particularly love it with garlic, milk, and a little bit of butter. Making mashed potatoes can be a total workout, but trust me, both your arm and taste buds will thank you!
- Nothing’s more filling than a creamy, white-sauce pasta dish. Pairing this classic dish with air fried snapper has become a personal favorite of mine, and I’m sure you’ll say the same for yourself once you try it!
Air Fried Snapper Fillets in 10 Minutes
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Non-stick frying spatula
- Fork for descaling
Ingredients
- 400 grams Snapper fillets
- 4 cloves Garlic (diced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs (dried)
- 2 teaspoons Soft Butter
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- First thing’s first, it’s important to have clean snapper fillets for this recipe. If you prefer your fish with skin, then make sure that it has been descaled first. Use the fork to scrap off the scales.
- To prevent your fish from sticking to the fryer basket, spray your air fryer basket with oil or use parchment paper.
- Place the snapper fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket and make sure not to stack them over each other. If you want the skin to be crispy then face the skin side up.
- Scoop small amounts of butter and place them randomly (but evenly spaced) on top of the snapper fillets.
- Now is the time to add some aroma. Sprinkle the diced garlic, dried Italian herb, salt and pepper over the snapper fillets.
- Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to 175° Celsius (347° Fahrenheit) for 10minutes.
- Use a non-stick frying spatula to take the snapper fillets out, and squeeze some lemon over them to enhance the taste.
- Serve with your favorite side dish, or refer to our serving suggestions above for best ideas to serve air fried snapper.
