This air fryer mackerel fish are tender inside, with crispy skin and packed full of flavor. Learn how to cook mackerel in air fryer be it fillet or whole. It is easy, quick, ready in 10 minutes, and can be served with air fryer sliced potatoes, roasted carrots, or any side of your choice.
Air Fryer Mackerel Fish Recipe
This air fryer mackerel recipe is easy and you don't have to do much to get tasty mackerel fillets on the dinner table.
It is quick and from the prep step to cooking, it is ready to eat in less than 15 minutes.
This air fried mackerel uses a few ingredients. The ingredients needed are less than 5 and they are probably in your kitchen pantry already.
Mackerel is healthy fish that is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, high in protein, and a good source of vitamins so it makes a healthy food for both kids and adults.
When air frying mackerel, I use a simple seasoning of pepper, garlic, and salt as mackerel fish is flavorful on its own and doesn't require much to enhance its flavors. You can use any seasoning of your choice to season it if you prefer.
Cooking mackerel in air fryer is a healthy alternative to deep frying it. Mackerels are oily fishes already and do not need much oil to cook. Whether it is the fillet or the whole mackerel fish, with this recipe, you get tender, moist, and flavorful fish with crispy skin.
It can be enjoyed with any side dish. We like serving it with air fryer veggies, air fryer baby potatoes, or Jollof rice.
Let me show you how to air fry mackerel.
Related: Air fryer tilapia
Ingredients
Mackerel fillet (You can also use whole)
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Salt
Olive oil
How To Cook Mackerel In Air fryer
Remove the mackerel fillet from its package, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels.
Mix oil, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt together in a small bowl.
Brush the seasoning paste all over the mackerel evenly. Arrange the mackerel in the air fryer basket skin side down.
Air fry mackerel at a temperature of 400F/200C for 4-5 minutes. Flip the mackerel and air fry them for another 4-5 minutes or till the skin is crispy as you like.
Remove mackerel fillets from the air fryer, serve and enjoy!
How Long To Cook Mackerel In Air Fryer
It depends on the thickness and size of the mackerel, and the temperature it's cooked at.
For example, cooking it at a lower temperature will take longer to cook and longer to get the skin crispy, and whole mackerel will take longer to cook than mackerel fillets.
At a temperature of 200C/400F, How long to cook mackerel in air fryer is 8-10 minutes.
How long to cook whole mackerel in air fryer is 12-15 minutes.
The timing would also be longer if the mackerel is frozen. Add additional 4-6 minutes if cooking from frozen.
Since cook time varies based on the size and freeze state of the fish, be sure to adjust the timer on the air fryer as needed.
An instant thermometer is a good tool that can be used to check if the fish is cooked. The internal temperature when cooked should be at least 140F. You can also check the inside with a fork but be careful not to split the fish into parts.
What To Serve With
Here are some suggestions of what to serve with:
How To Store & Reheat
Fridge: Allow the mackerel to cool down, place the leftover in an airtight container or a Ziploc, and put it in the fridge where it will keep well for up to 5 days.
Freezer: To store it for longer, store it in the freezer. Place the mackerel fish in an airtight container or Ziploc. Label it and store it in the freezer where it will last up to two months.
To Reheat
Reheat in air fryer: Remove the leftover from the storage container, arrange them in the air fryer, set the temperature at 190C/380F, and cook for 5 minutes or until heated. Remove and serve.
Reheat in Microwave: You can also heat in the microwave. Place the leftover in a microwavable plate and warm at high speed for 1 minute. Check if warm. You can increase the time at 30 seconds intervals until the desired result. Remove and serve.
Leftover mackerel can be used in stews, sauces, soups, sandwiches, and wraps.
Tips For Air Fryer Mackerel Fish
- Lightly season the mackerel. Mackerels are already flavored and do not need too much seasoning.
- Do not overcook it. Overcooking will ruin the texture of the fish.
- Mackerel is an oily fish. Use minimal oil. Too much oil will make the fish too greasy.
- You do not need to thaw the fish before cooking but if frozen, give it additional time to cook.
FAQS
The recommended internal temperature of fish is 145F or 62C. You can check with an instant fish thermometer to be sure that the fish is cooked.
Yes, it's best to cook with the skin side down first. You can then gently flip it to cook the skin side up for a few more minutes.
Depends on the thickness of the fish and whether it is a fillet or whole mackerel fish. At a temperature of 200C/400F, how long to air fry mackerel is 10 minutes. Additional time may be needed if the fish is in a frozen state.
More Air Fryer Fish Recipes
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Recipe
Air Fryer Mackerel
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 fillet Mackerel
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- ½ tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Remove the mackerel fillet from its package, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix oil, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt together in a small bowl.
- Brush the seasoning paste all over the mackerel evenly.
- Arrange the mackerel in the air fryer skin side down and air fry mackerel at a temperature of 400F/200C for 4-5 minutes. Flip the mackerel and air fry them for another 4-5 minutes or till the skin is crispy as you like.
- Remove mackerel fillets from the air fryer, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Lightly season the mackerel. Mackerels are already flavored and do not need too much seasoning.
- Do not overcook it. Overcooking will ruin the texture of the fish.
- Mackerel is an oily fish. Use minimal oil. Too much oil will make the fish too greasy.
- You do not need to thaw the fish before cooking but if frozen, give it additional time to cook.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook.
Just got an air fryer for Christmas.
The mackerel turned out perfectly!
Even my picky kids who groan when it’s fish for dinner we’re happy!
I'm glad it turned out perfectly and made your kids happy. Well done to you and thanks for the feedback 🙂
Great recipe, really enjoyed my fish and appreciated the extra notes that you wrote. However, the way the recipe is displayed on the website is difficult - full of ads and needing too much scrolling past pop-ups. Shame really. Thanks for the recipe though. Keep writing!
Hi Richard, Thanks for the feedback. Next time if you prefer to skip the ads, use the 'jump to recipe' button at the top of the post. It will take you direct to the recipe card.