What should I serve with Air Fryer Haddock?

Because this recipe has such a good sauce, I always make something to drizzle it over alongside the fish. Wide egg noodles are my personal favorite with this one, but mashed potatoes or steamed rice work equally well. For vegetables, Blackened Green Beans , Charred Broccoli and Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts all cook on the stovetop while the fish air fries, making them perfect side dishes for this meal.

Can I cook haddock from frozen?

It is technically safe to cook fish from frozen but I don’t recommend it here. Haddock is a soft, moist fish and cooking it from frozen releases too much moisture, making it very difficult to get a good result. I think it's worth taking the time to fully defrost it first. If you didn't defrost overnight, you can place packaged fish in a large bowl of cold water. Check in about 30 minutes, (no ice crystals) and change the water if needed.

Do I need to use an air fryer liner?

I rarely use a liner and especially not with fish. A liner prevents the juices from draining down through the basket, which keeps the fish too moist.

Can I substitute a different fish?

Yes, cod and pollock are both excellent substitutes. Cod has a similar mild flavor to haddock but is slightly firmer. Pollock is also mild and works well with this seasoning blend. Both tend to be a bit less expensive than haddock as well. For firmer fish like salmon, mahi mahi or tuna steak, have a look at my other air fryer fish recipes linked above.

Why is my coating falling off the fish?

This usually happens due to one of three things; the fish wasn’t patted dry completely before seasoning, the air fryer wasn’t fully preheated before the fish went in, or the fish was moved too soon during cooking.

Air Fryer Haddock and Lemon Chive Sauce ⋆ Deb's Daily Dish

Description

Air Fryer Haddock with Lemon Chive Butter Sauce is a simple weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. Tender, seasoned Atlantic haddock fillets cook evenly in the air fryer while a buttery homemade sauce made with fresh lemon and chives comes together in minutes. Drizzle it over the fish for a flavorful meal the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 haddock fillets, 6 ounces each
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning or mix of Italian seasoning and paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Lemon Chive Sauce

2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning or 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons fresh finely minced chives or teaspoons dried chives

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 375°F for at least 5 minutes. Spray basket with non-stick cooking spray.
Drizzle oil over both sides of each fillet. Stir together the seasonings and pat firmly on both sides.
Place haddock in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Don't move fish for at least the first 5 minutes since they might stick to fryer. No need to flip the fish.
While the fish cooks, make the sauce by melting the butter and stirring all the ingredients together very well. You can also use a mini food processor to mince the chives and combine the sauce.
The haddock is done when it reaches 145°F with an internal meat thermometer. You can also tell if its done if the fish flakes easily with a fork. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as preferred.
Serve haddock with the sauce drizzled over top, extra chives and lemon wedges. Any leftover sauce can be drizzled over your rice, noodles or potatoes.

Notes

*If using frozen haddock, make sure it's fully defrosted without any ice crystals. Pat very dry with paper towel. Too much moisture will cause the fish to steam instead of fry.

*Cook in batches if needed. Crowding the basket traps steam and prevents even cooking. A second batch is worth the extra few minutes.

*Check temperature from the right angle. Insert your meat thermometer straight down from the top for thicker fillets. For thinner fillets, slide it in sideways through the side of the fillet. Fish is done at 145°F.