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Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or mahi-mahi)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil spray
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise (for slaw)
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise (for sauce)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder (for sauce)
  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Sliced jalapeño (optional)
  • Diced avocado (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Pat the fish fillets completely dry with paper towels. Cut into strips roughly 1 inch wide and 3 inches long.
  • Set up three shallow bowls: flour with a pinch of salt in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko mixed with smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in the third.
  • Dredge each fish strip in flour and shake off the excess. Dip in egg, then press firmly into the panko mixture to coat all sides. Set aside on a plate.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange fish strips in a single layer without overlapping. Spray the tops of the fish lightly with olive oil spray.
  • Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping gently at the halfway point, until the coating is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
  • While the fish cooks, toss the shredded cabbage with apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, honey, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
  • Stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl to make the sauce.
  • Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds.
  • Spread sauce on each tortilla, add a spoonful of slaw, then top with crispy fish. Finish with cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and avocado or jalapeño if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

Always preheat your air fryer fully before adding the fish — a cold basket is the number one reason the coating comes out soft instead of crispy. Also, never stack the fish pieces; they need space for the hot air to circulate around each one.
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