Air Fryer Fish Tacos That Taste Like the Coast Came to Your Kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or mahi mahi), cut into 2-inch strips
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 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 mayonnaise (for slaw)
- 1 tbsp sour cream (for slaw)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (for slaw)
- Salt to taste (for slaw)
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise (for sauce)
- 2 tbsp sour cream (for sauce)
- 1 tbsp lime juice (for sauce)
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (for sauce)
- Pinch of salt (for sauce)
- 8-10 small flour or corn tortillas
- Fresh cilantro, roughly torn
- Lime wedges
- Sliced avocado or guacamole (optional)
Instructions
- Make the slaw first by tossing shredded cabbage with 1 tbsp mayo, 1 tbsp sour cream, 1 tbsp lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and refrigerate while you prepare everything else.
- Whisk together 3 tbsp mayo, 2 tbsp sour cream, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl to make the sauce. Taste and adjust heat. Set aside.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko mixed with smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in the third.
- Pat the fish strips completely dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece in flour, dip in egg, then press firmly into the spiced panko. Place on a clean plate.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
- Place breaded fish strips in a single layer in the basket — do not crowd them. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping once at the 6-minute mark, until golden and firm.
- Warm tortillas by wrapping in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30 seconds, or heating in a dry skillet for 20 seconds per side.
- Build tacos immediately before serving: slaw on the bottom, fish on top, drizzle of sauce, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
Always pat your fish strips completely dry before breading — this is the single most important step for getting the coating to stick and crisp properly in the air fryer.