Air Fryer Fish Tacos (Printable)

Crispy fish fillets with vibrant cabbage slaw and creamy sauce in warm tortillas.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 1 lb white fish fillets (cod or tilapia), cut into strips
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
08 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
09 - Olive oil spray

→ Cabbage Slaw

10 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
11 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
12 - 1/4 cup grated carrot
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 2 tablespoons lime juice
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Creamy Sauce

18 - 1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
19 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
20 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
21 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
22 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ To Serve

23 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
24 - Lime wedges
25 - Extra cilantro for garnish

# How to Cook:

01 - In a large bowl, combine green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss well and refrigerate until ready to use.
02 - Place flour mixed with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in one bowl; beaten eggs in a second bowl; and panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
03 - Dredge each fish piece in the flour mixture, dip into beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Lightly spray both sides with olive oil.
04 - Arrange breaded fish strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream or yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, and hot sauce if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Layer slaw onto each warmed tortilla, top with crispy fish strips, and drizzle with creamy sauce. Garnish with extra cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The fish gets impossibly crispy in the air fryer without deep frying or making your kitchen smell like a fish market.
  • Everything comes together in under 35 minutes, which means you can go from craving tacos to eating them before your favorite show starts.
  • The cabbage slaw is crunchy and bright enough to balance the richness, so you don't feel weighed down afterward.
02 -
  • Don't skip the oil spray on the breaded fish or you'll get uneven browning and some patches will steam instead of crisp up in the air fryer.
  • Make your slaw at least 10 minutes ahead so the acid and salt have time to soften the cabbage slightly and marry the flavors together.
03 -
  • Cut your fish into uniform strips before breading so everything cooks at the same rate and you don't end up with some pieces overdone while others are still barely cooked through.
  • Don't let the breaded fish sit too long before air frying or the coating will get soggy from the moisture in the fish, so work quickly once you start the breading station.
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