Looking for a healthy and delicious seafood dish? Try these Air Fryer Fish Cakes! Made with tender white fish fillets, aromatic herbs, and spices, these fish cakes are coated in crispy cornmeal and air fried to perfection. They are light, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun appetizer. Serve these easy fish cakes with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and your favorite dipping sauce for a meal that’s sure to impress!
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Why You’ll Love Fish Cakes
- Healthy and Light: Made with fresh white fish fillets and air fried to perfection, these fish cakes are a healthy alternative to traditional fried versions, offering all the flavor without the extra oil.
- Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have these delicious fish cakes ready in no time, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Versatile and Flavorful: Packed with aromatic herbs and spices, these fish cakes are bursting with flavor and can be customized to suit your taste. Plus, they pair well with a variety of sides and sauces, making them a versatile addition to any meal.
Fish Cake Ingredients
- Fish Fillet (white): White fish fillet, such as cod or tilapia, provides a mild flavor and tender texture, perfect for making delicate and flavorful fish cakes.
- Onion: Onion adds a slight sweetness and a savory depth to the fish cakes, balancing the flavors and enhancing the overall taste.
- Garlic: A small amount of garlic brings an aromatic and subtle spiciness that complements the fish and other seasonings.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors in the fish cakes, making them more pronounced and delicious.
- Spices for Fish: Tailor the taste with your favorite fish spices, such as paprika, cumin, or dill, to add layers of flavor and complexity.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper provides a mild heat and a hint of earthiness, perfect for balancing the other ingredients.
- Corn Semolina: Also known as cornmeal, this ingredient is used to coat the fish cakes, giving them a crispy and golden exterior when air fried.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a fresh, herbaceous note, making the fish cakes taste bright and vibrant.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a zesty tang and brightness, cutting through the richness of the fish and enhancing the overall flavor.
How To Make Fish Cakes In The Air Fryer
Step One: Grind the fish in a blender until minced.
Step Two: Add onion, garlic, salt, spices, black pepper, lemon juice, and parsley to the minced fish. Grind the mixture again until well combined.
Step Three: Shape the mixture into patties. Roll each patty in cornmeal until evenly coated. Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Step Four: Place the fish cakes in the Air Fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Remove the fish cakes from the Air Fryer and serve immediately.
Top Tips For Making Perfect Fish Cakes
- Use Fresh Fish: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh white fish fillets. If using frozen fish, make sure to thaw and pat them dry before grinding.
- Don’t Over-Grind: When grinding the fish and other ingredients, pulse just until combined. Over-grinding can make the mixture too mushy.
- Chill the Mixture: After forming the patties, chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This helps them firm up and hold their shape better during cooking.
Substitutions When Making Air Fryer Fish Cakes
- Types Of Fish: For the fish fillet, you can substitute with other mild fish varieties like haddock or pollock, or for a different flavor, use salmon or tuna.
- Onions: If you don’t have fresh onion, use shallots or green onions for a milder taste, or onion powder as an alternative. In place of fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder or garlic paste, or minced shallots for a different twist.
- Seasoning: For spices, a pre-made fish seasoning blend works well, or you can experiment with different spices like curry powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning. If you prefer a milder flavor, substitute black pepper with white pepper, or use freshly ground black pepper for a more robust taste.
- Fresh Parsley: Instead of fresh parsley is unavailable, cilantro, dill, or basil make good substitutes, or use dried parsley, adjusting the quantity as needed.
- Lemon Juice: For lemon juice, lime juice provides a slightly different citrus flavor, or you can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar for acidity.
Best Dipping Sauces For Fish cakes
- Tartar Sauce: A classic choice, tartar sauce’s tangy and creamy flavors perfectly complement the fish cakes.
- Garlic Aioli: This rich, Garlicky Sauce adds a robust flavor that enhances the savory taste of the fish cakes.
- Lemon Dill Sauce: A refreshing blend of lemon and dill creates a bright and zesty accompaniment.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: For a bit of heat and sweetness, Sweet Chili Sauce provides a delicious contrast.
- Cilantro Lime Sauce: This vibrant and fresh sauce pairs well with the fish cakes’ delicate flavors.
- Yogurt Cucumber Dip: A light and cooling dip, yogurt cucumber dip adds a refreshing touch to the meal.
- Mango Chutney: The sweetness and spice of Mango Chutney offer a delightful contrast to the savory fish cakes.
- Remoulade Sauce: A tangy, slightly spicy sauce, remoulade adds a kick of flavor.
- Mustard Dill Sauce: Combining the sharpness of mustard with the freshness of dill, this sauce enhances the fish cakes beautifully.
- Avocado Lime Sauce: Creamy and zesty, avocado lime sauce adds a rich and tangy flavor to the fish cakes.
Can I make Fish cakes Ahead Of Time?
- Fridge: Yes, you can make fish cakes ahead of time. Prepare the fish cake mixture as directed and shape into patties. Place the patties on a baking sheet, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Freeze: If you need to store them for longer, you can freeze the uncooked patties. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Thaw: When ready to cook, thaw the patties in the refrigerator overnight and then proceed with air frying or baking as directed. This makes meal prep easy and ensures you have delicious fish cakes ready to go whenever you need them.
What To Serve With Fish Cakes?
- Coleslaw: Creamy Coleslaw adds a crunchy texture and tangy flavor that complements the fish cakes perfectly.
- Roasted Vegetables: A medley of Roasted Vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini, adds a healthy and colorful side.
- Potato Salad: A classic Potato Salad, whether creamy or vinegary, pairs wonderfully with fish cakes for a hearty meal.
- Green Salad: A fresh Green Salad with a light vinaigrette provides a crisp and refreshing contrast to the savory fish cakes.
- Steamed Asparagus: Lightly Grilled Asparagus with a squeeze of lemon juice makes a simple and elegant side.
- Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled Corn On The Cob brings a sweet and buttery element to the meal.
- Beet and Pomegrante Salad: This light and refreshing salad adds a burst of flavor and freshness.
Air Fryer Fish Cakes
Ingredients
- 1 lb Fish fillet
- ½ Onion Finely chopped or diced
- ½ tsp Garlic
- 1 pinch Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper Optional
- ½ cup Corn semolina
- 2 tbsp Parsley Finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish: Grind the fish in a blender until minced.
- Mix Ingredients: Add onion, garlic, salt, spices, black pepper, lemon juice, and parsley to the minced fish. Grind the mixture again until well combined.
- Shape and Coat: Shape the mixture into patties. Roll each patty in cornmeal until evenly coated.
- Air Fry: Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the fish cakes in the Air Fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the fish cakes from the Air Fryer and serve immediately.