This Air Fryer Mackerel is crispy on the outside, juicy, and flaky on the inside, and it comes together super quickly in the Air Fryer. It's healthy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
I've tried a lot of different recipes using fish, and this one has to be, by far, the quickest, simplest way of cooking it.
Air-fried mackerel has become one of my favorite dishes! It’s a game-changer for anyone craving crispy, flavorful fish without the guilt of deep frying. Whether it’s served with a side of salad or over rice, this dish is always a hit in my kitchen! I love how the seasoning really sticks to the fish and infuses it with rich flavor.
I've tried cooking mackerel in different ways. My Grilled Whole Mackerel and Baked Whole Mackerel are both easy to make and are worth trying out if you love cooking the fish and want to try a different version.
A few days back, I got out my Air Fryer to make some Air Fryer Chicken Legs, which turned out fantastic. That inspired me to use it for a seafood recipe too. And here we are!
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What I Love About this Recipe
It's so healthy! This recipe uses way less oil compared to what you would use when frying the mackerel.
Mackerel is also one of the most affordable seafood options, and can be a great choice for when you want to eat healthy.
The dish comes together super quick. You'll need just a few minutes of hands-on kitchen time.
If you don't like the steaks, use the mackerel fillets, but the cooking time will differ. Any fish steak will work.
Recipe Ingredients
Mackerel: I used two whole mackerel, scaled, gutted and cut into slices. You can use 4 mackerel filets too.
Ginger and garlic paste: For that savory flavor.
Bouillon: For that extra savory deliciousness.
Seasonings: I used curry powder, onion powder, paprika, seasoned salt, black pepper, and white pepper.
Herbs: Dried thyme and parsley for the aroma and freshness.
Lemon juice: To make those flavors pop and for that tangy, citrusy zing.
Oil: Any cooking oil of your choice. Choose an oil with a high smoke point for best results.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Experiment with different flavors by swapping the seasonings and spices you're using. Try using groundnut paste, aka for that nutty flavor, or slather on some homemade Green Seasoning if you have some fresh herbs. For a kick of heat, try the jerk marinade
- If you don't have lemons, use lime or vinegar instead to bring that bit of tanginess to the marinade.
- You can add some chopped fresh parsley or cilantro to the marinade or use it for the garnish to add a nice pop of color.
- Sometimes, I love giving the mackerel a bit of African flavor, and I swap the curry powder for my Homemade Suya Spice. It's a beautiful, nutty, savory seasoning mix that takes 10 minutes to make and can be used for many different recipes.
How to Make Air Fryer Mackerel
To make this Air Fryer mackerel, you'll need to start by preheating your Air Fryer to 400 degrees for about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine all the seasonings, herbs, oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl to make the marinade.
- Pour the marinade over the mackerel steaks.
- Use your fingers to coat all the mackerel nicely with the marinade. You can let this rest for a while if you want to.
- Arrange the mackerel in your Air Fryer basket in a single layer, making sure none of them overlap each other.
- Air fry them at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Remember to flip them at the 10-minute mark.
- Once they are done cooking, get them out, garnish if needed, and serve immediately.
Storing Leftovers
Store the leftover air-fried mackerel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave with a little sprinkle of water for some moisture or in the Air Fryer until it is nice and warm.
I wouldn't recommend freezing it after you've cooked it, as the freezing, thawing, and reheating can ruin its texture.
Tips & Tricks to Make the Air Fryer Mackerel
- Let the fish marinate for 2-3 hours to deepen the flavor. Make sure you cover the bowl with cling wrap or an airtight lid and refrigerate it until you are ready to air fry it.
- Make sure you pat dry the fish and remove any excess moisture from the surface with paper towels before you marinate it. This will help make the fish crispy when it is air-fried.
- Don't overcrowd the Air Fryer basket. Leave a little space between the fish pieces to let the hot air circulate through the basket.
- Remember to flip the fish over midway through the cooking time. This will ensure that the fish is crispy on both the sides.
- You can also baste the fish with some of the leftover marinade or butter while air frying it to get it some extra crispiness.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
You can enjoy this Air-fried mackerel as an appetizer or side dish with any other main dish of your choice. I love pairing it with some air fried potatoes, Crispy Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes or Crispy Baked Potato Wedges on the side.
You can also make it a hearty and wholesome meal by pairing it with some rice and peas or some Dirty Rice.
Recipe FAQs
It usually takes around 18-22 minutes for the mackerel to cook perfectly. The exact cooking time can be vary depending on the thickness of the fish and the Air Fryer model.
Check the internal temperature of the fish using a meat thermometer. If it reads 145 degrees or more, the fish is done cooking.
If you don't have a meat thermometer, check the fish at the 18 minute mark. Use a fork to pull the flesh off at the thickest part, and if it flakes easily, the fish is done.
More Fish Recipes to Try
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this Air Fryer Mackerel or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Air Fryer Mackerel
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 whole Mackerel scaled, gutted, and cut into slices (steak sizes). or 4 mackerel fillets
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 2 teaspoon Ginger and garlic paste or 1 teaspoon of each, powder.
- 1 teaspoon Seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon Boullion powder
- ½ teaspoon White pepper
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon Parsley dried
- ¼ cup Cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ for about 3-5 minutes, depending on the model.
- Combine all the ingredients in a little bowl and stir till combined, except the fish.
- Pat the fish dry with a paper towel, then pour the marinade over it. Use your hand to coat the fish perfectly.
- Place the seasoned mackerel steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not overlapping to allow even cooking
- Air fry the mackerel 400℉ for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the steaks and the air fryer model, so check for doneness. The internal temperature should be around 145°F (63°C). The flesh should be opaque and easily flake with a fork.
- Once cooked, remove the mackerel steaks from the air fryer and serve
Notes
- To deepen the flavor, let the fish marinate for 2-3 hours. Make sure you cover the bowl with cling wrap or an airtight lid and refrigerate it until you are ready to air fry it.
- Make sure you pat dry the fish and remove any excess moisture from the surface with paper towels before you marinate it. This will help make the fish crispy when it is air fried.
- Don't overcrowd the Air Fryer basket. Leave a little space between the fish pieces to let the hot air circulate through the basket.
- Remember to flip the fish over midway through the cooking time. This will ensure that the fish is crispy on both the sides.
- You can also baste the fish with some of the leftover marinade or butter while Air frying it to get it some extra crispiness.
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Claudy says
If you don't want deep frying, then this fish recipe should be your go to. Try it and thank me later