The Best Air Fryer Fish and Chips Recipe (Crispy & Healthier!)

No need to visit London! This crispy and satisfying air fryer fish and chips recipe is a healthier take on the beloved British classic—without sacrificing flavor. With flaky fish in a crunchy coating and thick-cut potato chips, this easy air fryer version brings classic British pub food home in less than 30 minutes!

Table of Contents

• Ingredients & Supplies
• Healthier Variations
• Flavor Variations
• What Makes British Fish & Chips Special?
• How to Make Air Fryer Fish and Chips
  • Prep and Cook the Chips
  • Bread the Fish
  • Make the Tartar Sauce
  • Air Fry the Fish
  • Assemble and Serve
•  Serving Suggestions
• ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Thoughts
• More Air Fryer Recipes
• Air Fryer Tips & Tricks

Ingredients and Supplies for Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Ingredients

• 2–3 large russet potatoes
• 1 lb cod or haddock fillets
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 tbsp seasoned salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Olive oil or avocado oil spray
• Malt vinegar
• Sea salt
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Tartar Sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp dill pickle relish
• 1 tbsp finely chopped onion
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

Supplies

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowls
• Shallow dishes
• Tongs
• Kitchen towels
• Baking sheet
• Small bowl

Healthier Variations

• Whole Grain Option: Use whole wheat flour and breadcrumbs.
• Lower-Calorie Tartar Sauce: Replace half mayo with Greek yogurt.
• Sweet Potato Chips: Sub white potatoes with sweet potatoes.
• Oil-Free Chips: Skip oil; use spray lightly instead.

Flavor Variations

• Spicy Fish: Add cayenne or smoked paprika to breading.
• Herb-Crusted: Mix in dill, parsley, or thyme.
• Beer Batter: Use beer in the wet mixture.
• Garlic Chips: Toss cooked chips with garlic and parsley.

What Makes British Fish and Chips Special?

• Light, crispy batter—often with beer
• Thick-cut “chips” (fries)
• Traditionally fried in beef dripping
• Seasoned with malt vinegar & salt
• Served with tartar sauce or mushy peas

How to Make Air Fryer Fish and Chips

1. Prep and Cook the Chips

• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• Cut potatoes into ½-inch chips; soak in water 15–30 mins.
• Dry, toss with oil, salt, pepper.
• Air fry at 380°F for 12–15 mins, shaking halfway.
• Keep warm in oven while cooking fish, or cover loosely with foil.

2. Bread the Fish

• Dry and cut fish into strips.
• Set up bowls: flour mix, beaten eggs, breadcrumb mix.
• Dredge fish in each step and spray with oil.

3. Make the Tartar Sauce

• Mix all tartar ingredients in a bowl.
• Chill covered in fridge to develop the flavor up to 3 days.

4. Air Fry the Fish

• Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
• Place fish in a single layer.
• Use a parchment liner to reduce the mess.
• Cook 5 mins per side, or until golden and flaky and 145°F.

5. Assemble and Serve

• Plate fish and chips together.
• Sprinkle with vinegar and sea salt.
• Serve with tartar sauce, lemon, and parsley.

Serving Suggestions

• Malt vinegar and sea salt
• Lemon wedges
• Mushy peas (classic British side)
• Pickled onions or eggs
• Simple green salad
• Hush Puppies
• Cole Slaw

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this healthier than traditional fish and chips?

Air frying uses just a spray of oil, cutting fat by up to 80% compared to deep frying.

What fish works best?

Cod and haddock are traditional. Pollock, tilapia, and other white fish also work.

Why soak the potatoes?

To remove excess starch, helping the chips get crispy.

Can I prep ahead?

Yes! Tartar sauce lasts 3 days. Chips can be cut and soaked in advance.

Can I use frozen fish or fries?

Yes, just adjust time and temp for best results.

Final Thoughts

This healthy air fryer fish and chips recipe gives you all the comfort of the classic, with none of the guilt. Crispy, flaky, and full of flavor—perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!

More Recipe Favorites:

• Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer with Homemade Chick-fil-A Sauce
• Crunchy Air Fryer Avocado Fries – Low Carb and Keto
• Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts
• The Best Classic Coleslaw

Air Fryer Tips & Tricks You’ll Love

• Air Fryer 101
• Avoid These Air Fryer Mistakes
• Best Air Fryer Accessories
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• Adapt Any Recipe for Your Air Fryer
• Free Air Fryer Temp Chart
• Air Fryer Buying Guide
• Air Fryer Video Recipes

Air Fryer Fish and Chips Recipe (Crispy & Healthier!)

Crispy, golden fish and chips—classic British flavor made healthier in the air fryer

No ratings yet

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Serves: 4 1 serving = 8 ounces fish and 1 cup of chips

Adjust Servings: 4 1 serving = 8 ounces fish and 1 cup of chips

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Mixing bowls
• Shallow dishes for breading
• Tongs
• Kitchen Towels
• Baking sheet or tray for fish
• Small bowl (for sauce)
• Parchment liners

Ingredients

Ingredients:

• 2-3 large russet potatoes about 1½ pounds
• 2 pounds cod or haddock fillets
• 1 tablespoon malt vinegar plus more for serving
• 2 large eggs beaten
• Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray

Flour Mixture:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Tartar Sauce:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

For Serving:

• Lemon wedges
• Additional malt vinegar
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Sea salt

Instructions

Instructions:

• Prepare tartar sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set in the fridge to marry while you make the fish and chips.
• Cut potatoes into thick chips (about ½-inch wide, like steak fries) and soak in cold water for 15-30 minutes. Change the water half way through.
• Drain and DRY the potatoes thoroughly. Toss with 2 teaspoons olive or avocado oil, salt, and pepper.
• Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Cook chips in batches for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep warm in a 200°F oven or cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
• While the fries cook, bread the fish. Set up breading station: flour mixture in one dish, beaten eggs + 1 T malt vinegar in second dish, and breadcrumb mixture in third dish.
• PAT DRY!! Do not skip this step or you will have soggy fish. Cut the filets into even pieces around 3 inches wide. Coat in flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Lay onto plate until the air fryer is heated.
• Lay the fish into the preheated air fryer. Use a parchment liner to cut down on mess. Spray top with oil. Cook breaded fish in air fryer at 380°F for 10 minutes total, flipping halfway through and spraying the flipped side with oil. Check for internal temp of 145°F.
• Wipe out the air fryer and throw the chips back in at 400° F for a few minutes if needed. Serve fish and chips with tartar sauce, malt vinegar, lemon wedges, and a sprinkle of salt.

Recipe Notes

It is very important to make sure the fish is dry before breading. Use paper towels.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 580kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 25g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g