Skip the frozen aisle and the deep fryer. These Everything Bagel Air Fryer Fish Nuggets deliver a satisfying, savory crunch in under 15 minutes. Using real, simple ingredients, these golden cod bites are a game-changer for busy weeknights.
I love making these on days when I want something simple but still homemade. They remind me of comfort food, but without the heaviness of deep frying. Plus, cleanup is minimal, which is always a win in my kitchen.
For specifics on the recipe, use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- Ingredients to make Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- Kitchen Tools Needed
- How to Make Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
- Eileen's Tips for the Best Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- Air Fryer Fish Nugget Variations
- Air Fryer Fish Nugget FAQs
- What to serve with Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- More Air Fryer Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
If you enjoy easy air fryer recipes, you might also love air fryer pork chops, air fryer homemade fish sticks, or copycat chicken nuggets. They all use similar techniques and cook up fast.
Why you'll love Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just a few pantry staples and fresh fish.
- Light and Crispy: All the crunch you love without deep frying.
- Family-Friendly: A fun, bite-sized meal that both kids and adults enjoy.
- Customizable: Easily switch up the seasoning to create new flavors every time.
Ingredients to make Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- Everything bagel seasoning - this gives the fish a savory flavor that you will be craving more of.
- Avocado oil - Spraying your fish pieces lightly will help the seasoning stick and also give you a crispy exterior.
- Cod fillet - swap out the cod for haddock, pollock, or even tilapia for a more budget-friendly option.
Kitchen Tools Needed
- Air fryer - I use a 6-quart air fryer. If you are using a smaller one, you will need to make these in batches.
- Stainless steel mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Meat thermometer
How to Make Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Place the cod pieces in a large bowl, and spray lightly with avocado oil, and then sprinkle and coat with the seasoning.
- Place the fish nuggets in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature to ensure they are 145 f before serving.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Make-ahead - You can cut and season the fish a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing - Freeze the uncooked, seasoned fish nuggets on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Eileen's Tips for the Best Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
- Dry the Fish: Pat the cod pieces dry before seasoning so the coating sticks better and the fish gets nice and crispy.
- Even Sizing: Cut the fish into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate in the air fryer.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange the nuggets in a single layer with space between them to ensure even crisping.
- Internal Temperature: For food safety, cook the fish to an internal temperature of 145°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Light Oil Coating: A light spray of oil helps the seasoning adhere and gives a golden crust.
Air Fryer Fish Nugget Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe?
- Seasoning: For every pound of fish, use 2 Tablespoons of any of your favorite seasoning blends, such as:
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- Homemade Seasoning Salt
- Homemade Fajita Seasoning
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning
Air Fryer Fish Nugget FAQs
Air fryer cooking times vary, but generally the fish is ready in 6-8 minutes. The fish should flake easily and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
A light coating of oil helps with crisping, so it is recommended, but you can skip it if needed.
What to serve with Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
Looking for the perfect side dishes to go along with this recipe? Check out these options:
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Oven Roasted Green Beans
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Don't forget your dipping sauce, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce!
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Air Fryer Fish Nuggets
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Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod filets
- ⅓ cup everything bagel seasoning
- avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Cut 1 pound cod filets into bite-size pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.
- Put avocado oil spray on the cod and coat the fish well. Then sprinkle ⅓ cup everything bagel seasoning on the fish nuggets, stirring with a fork to evenly coat all pieces.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F/195°C.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with the avocado oil spray and add seasoned fish nuggets in a single layer.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes until the fish starts to brown lightly. Fish nuggets should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F/63°C. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature of the fish.
NOTES
● Don’t overcook the fish; this will cause it to be dry.
● Everything bagel seasoning gives the flaky cod a light, salty, savory flavor from the garlic, onion, and seeds. Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon. I'm not a registered dietitian, but I strive to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
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