Air Fryer Crispy Cod Bake

So this Porterhouse for Two loving family had a little heart scare a couple months back. It was one of those moments that forces you to take a good hard look at your habits and finally make some changes. But, good news, everyone's A-OK now! And guess what? Some of those lifestyle changes we made are here to stay, we're eating more mindfully and slimming down in the process. Naturally, I'll be sharing some new recipes that have been helping us stay on track.

In our quest to cut back on red meat and salt, we came upon this fab way to up the healthy fish in our diet without giving up the tasty stuff. I've taken this Fish Chowder Sheet Pan Bake recipe and turned it into a one-pot air fryer meal that's a lifesaver on hectic weeknights. Not only is it bursting with flavor, but it's also so simple that you can go from fridge to table in just 30-45 minutes.

The original recipe called for big, thick, flaky cod fillets, but we're all about flexibility, so any flaky white fish will do the trick. I pick up whatever's in season or on sale and go to town. If you're using those thinner fillets, just peek at my notes below to tweak the cook time.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 lb. small yellow potatoes, halved
• 2 small red onions, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
• 4 slices lower sodium bacon (optional)
• 4 pieces of cod fillet (6-8 ounces, at least 1 inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Zest of one lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (1 tablespoon if using fresh thyme)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat Your Air Fryer
   Start by preheating your air fryer to 380°F. This will ensure that it's nice and hot when you're ready to cook.
2. Start with the Sides
   Place the halved small yellow potatoes and 1/2-inch red onion wedges in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Lay the bacon slices on top of the potatoes and onions. Want to skip the bacon? Just toss the potatoes and onion wedges with a tablespoon of olive oil.
3. Two Part Roasting
   Air fry the potatoes and onions for 7-8 minutes or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. Remove the bacon and onions and set them aside. If you prefer your onions more browned, you can leave them in with the potatoes until they are just the way you like them. Having an air fryer with a window and light allows me to check without opening the basket!
4. Finish the Potatoes:
   Give the potatoes a good stir and continue roasting for an additional 7-8 minutes or until they have turned a beautiful golden brown.
5. Prepare the Flavorful Coating:
   While the potatoes and onions are roasting, mix together 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
6. Prepare Panko Mixture:
   In another small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
7. Coat the Fish:
   Spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly on top of each piece of fish (about 1 tablespoon for each fillet), and then sprinkle the panko mixture over the top.
8. Turn up the Heat:
   Remove finished potatoes from air fryer and mix with cut up bacon and onions. Set air fryer temperature to 400°F.
9. Air Fry the Fish:
   Nestle the fish pieces into the air fryer basket and air fry for 10-13 minutes. If you're using thinner white fish fillets, reduce the cooking time to 8-10 minutes. I usually start checking the cook temperature at the low end of the time to ensure I don't overcook the fish. Remove when an instant-read thermometer reads 135-140°F and let it rest to come up to 145°F.
10. Some Like it Hot:
    You can reheat the potatoes, onions, and bacon in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes while the fish rests if you want everything to be piping hot.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
    Plate your air-fried fish alongside the roasted potatoes, onions, and bacon bits and enjoy!

This recipe has not only been an easy way to incorporate more fish into our diets, but it's also versatile and easy on the clean up. Seriously, a no brainer to add to our regular rotation. Whether you're enjoying it on a weeknight with just the immediate family or serving it to guests, the combination of tender fish, golden potatoes, and the zesty coating is sure to be a winner.

Give it a try and savor the goodness of this flavorful, heart healthy meal. And hey, don't forget to subscribe because I've got lots more family-favorite recipes to share. Drop a comment below if you have any special requests, that's what LetsAskYourMom is all about!