This post may contain affiliate links.
Use this easy recipe for air fryer whole fish to cook your choice of fish to crisp, flaky, fork-tender perfection in only 15 minutes! You need just a handful of pantry staples like fresh herbs and lemon to make a showstopper seafood dish for dinner parties or casual meals.
It’s easy to turn any dinner into a true occasion when you present a gorgeous whole fish on the table! Stuffed with fresh herbs and lemon slices, guests know they are in for a special meal once they see this dish. And while it looks impressive and tastes delicious, you won’t believe how little effort it takes to cook a whole fish in the air fryer.
Use this recipe as the base for creating the seafood feast of your dreams! Here you can select a medium-size fish you like to fill with your choice of herbs. There is no need to marinate… The stuffed whole fish is simply brushed with olive oil for the crispiest skin and amazing flavor. Including prep time it takes less than 30 minutes to make!
Customize your whole air fried fish with seasonings to match your tastes, and serve with any number of sides. Whether you’re having a relaxing dinner for two or hosting an elegant gathering, this is a main dish that is sure to please!
Recipe ingredients
Whole fish. Use your choice of small-to-medium sized fish. Some of our favorites include red snapper, branzino, rockfish, bass, rainbow trout, and sole. Clean and descale the fish prior to seasoning.
Olive oil. A quality EVOO is great for high-heat air frying. This luscious oil gets the fish skin extra crispy while keeping the meat moist.
Fresh herbs. Use whatever fresh herbs you like to stuff the fish. Here we use thyme and sage for a delicious earthy, sweet flavor. Other herbs you might consider include fresh cilantro, lemongrass, or parsley.
Salt and pepper. A pinch of these staple spices will bring together the ingredients, without overpowering. Add more seasonings to match the flavors of your meal, if you like! Try lemon pepper, Old Bay, Cajun or Creole seasoning, adobo, or other spices blends.
Lemon slices. Fresh slices of tart lemon are perfect to pair with seafood. The acid cuts down the “fishiness” to let the buttery and sweet flavors of the whole fish shine!
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! Air fries are great for cooking raw seafood and meats of all kinds. I do suggest lining the basket with parchment paper to cut down on mess.
Place the parchment in the basket after preheating, right as you are ready to cook the whole fish.
You want a whole fish that comfortably fits in the fryer… It is ok for the head and tail to be slightly curled up again the sides of the basket. But the main body needs to fit so that it can cook fully on all sides.
Types of whole fish that are good to air fry include rockfish, trout, branzino, bass and sole – to name a few!
No, you do not have to flip whole fish in the air fryer.
Overcrowding the basket is the likely cause. It is nearly impossible to get crispy skin if the fish is too large or squashed in the basket.
Also, be sure to thoroughly pat the fish dry with a clean towel before seasoning. Any extra moisture will collide with the olive oil and prevent the skin from crisping.
Thaw whole fish before air frying. Frozen fish will release moisture as it cooks, which is ok for skinless fillets… However, if the inner cavity of the whole fish is frozen it will add far too much moisture as it cooks.
What to do with leftovers
Store leftover fish in the airtight glass or plastic container for up to 3 days. I recommend eating leftover seafood as soon as possible. Reheat in the air fryer for couple minutes unlit heated through.
Other seafood recipes
Smoked tilapia, whole smoke tilapia fish in the electric smoker.
Air fryer swordfish kebabs, one of the most popular recipe on my site!
Hope you will like this air fryer whole fish recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Air fryer whole fish
Ingredients
- 1 whole fish i used red snapper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or sage
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper each
- lemon slices from 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Clean fish. Rub oil and spices and stuff with lemon and herbs.
- Cook at 380 degrees for about 15 minutes.