In just 15 minutes, these air fryer fish tacos deliver juicy, perfectly cooked fish wrapped in soft tortillas and topped with a creamy and crunchy fish taco slaw. The air fryer keeps the fish so tender and flaky, while our spice mix gives them the perfect bold flavor!
Why We Love These Quick Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Typically, we make our fish tacos in a cast iron skillet. However, we were curious to see how they’d turn out in the air fryer topped with a spiced mayo sauce, similar to our air fryer chicken thighs. And oh boy, it turned out SO incredibly good! We aren’t fans of mayo normally, but it really helps to keep the fish perfectly juicy and tender. Here’s why we love making fish tacos in the air fryer:
- Quick and Easy: In just 15 minutes, you can have restaurant-quality fish tacos on the table. Perfect for a last-minute weeknight dinner!
- Perfect Texture: The air fryer cooks the fish to crispy perfection on the outside while keeping it moist and flaky on the inside.
- Fresh and Flavorful: The simple spice mix packs in bold flavors without overpowering the fish, letting the freshness shine through.
- Minimal Cleanup: The air fryer keeps things clean — no need to deal with greasy pans or an oil-splattered stove.
Get the most out of your air fryer with more recipes like air fryer cajun shrimp, air fryer honey garlic salmon, and air fryer shrimp tacos.
Key Ingredients
Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this air fryer fish tacos recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- White Fish: Mahi Mahi is our go-to for air fryer fish tacos! However, you can really use any white fish you like best or happen to have on hand. Just note that the thicker the fish, the longer it’ll take to cook all the way through.
- Mayonnaise: Even if you hate mayo, hear us out! You really won’t taste it. Coating the fish in mayonnaise helps to keep it juicy and from drying out. Also, the mayonnaise helps to keep the seasonings on the filets.
- Spices: We made our own little spice blend, but you can also use blackened seasoning or Cajun seasoning to keep things easy!
- Tortillas: Use your favorite! We love corn tortillas for fish tacos, but you can use flour tortillas if you prefer.
How to Make Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are SO quick and easy to make in the air fryer! Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.
- Make the mayo mixture: Whisk the mayo with all of the seasonings.
- Coat the fish: Slather the seasoned mayo on all sides of the fish filets. Place in the air fryer and be sure not to overcrowd it.
- Air fry the fish: Cook for 6 to 10 minutes at 400°F and flip halfway through cooking. For best results, use an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure you do not overcook the fish. White fish is ready once it reaches 145°F.
- Flake: Lightly flake the cooked fish with two forks before serving in tortillas with all your favorite toppings!
Cook’s Tips and Variations
- Cook Time: Keep an eye on the fish as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the filets. We usually use mahi mahi and it takes about 8 minutes to cook in our air fryer. When you flip the fish check for doneness, the filets may only need 2 minutes more… or if cooking a thicker cut, they may need 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then lightly brown the tortillas on each side. This makes the tacos SO much better!
- Spice It Up: Add a healthy pinch of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the seasoning mix if you like a good bit of heat.
- Crispier Finish: For an even crispier finish, you can dredge the fish in a bit of panko breadcrumbs after coating with the mayo mixture.
- Prepare Your Sides & Toppings: Whatever you’re serving with and on these air fryer fish tacos, make sure to have it ready to go as this recipe moves quick!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Toppings: You simply can’t serve these fish tacos without fish taco slaw and/or our creamy fish taco sauce! Shredded cabbage, avocado, cilantro, pickled onions, and jalapeños are also all great options.
- Sides: We like to complement these air fryer fish tacos with fresh sides like sautéed zucchini and squash, mango salsa, and Mexican corn salad. Coconut rice or our cilantro lime rice is also fabulous!
Storing, Reheating, and Freezing
- Storing: Leftover fish will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
- Reheating: Wrap the leftover fish in foil with a small square of butter. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
- Freezing: You can freeze leftover cooked fish in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Yield: 4 servings (about 8 to 10 tacos)
Air Fryer Fish Tacos
In just 15 minutes, these air fryer fish tacos deliver juicy, perfectly cooked fish wrapped in soft tortillas topped with a refreshing slaw. The perfect quick and easy seafood dinner for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs white fish, such as cod, mahi mahi, tilapia
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional, For Serving
- corn or flour tortillas
- fish taco slaw
- fish taco sauce
- sliced avocado
- cotija cheese, or any cheese you like
Instructions
- Pat the fish dry and lay the filets on a dry cutting board.
- In a small bowl mix the mayonnaise with the paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Coat all sides of the fish with the seasoned mayonnaise. Place the fish in the air fryer, do not overcrowd cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook for 6 to 10 minutes, flipping fish halfway, until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F on a meat thermometer.
- Optional: While the fish is cooking in the air fryer, warm the tortillas on the stovetop. Use a heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat cook each side of the tortillas for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- We like to lightly flake the fish into pieces with a fork after cooking, then assemble with all our favorite toppings immediately in our warm tortillas!
Notes
Store: Store leftover fish and toppings separately in an airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheat: Wrap the fish in foil with a small pat of butter and warm in a 350°F air fryer for about 5 minutes, until heated through. This helps to keep the fish moist and juicy.
Freeze: While the fish can be frozen, I recommend enjoying it fresh or within a few days for the best flavor and texture. You can freeze it in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving of fish only, Calories: 294kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 118mg, Sodium: 480mg, Potassium: 712mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 209IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 2mg
