Blackened Fish Tacos in Air Fryer

Tender fish fillets seasoned with a homemade cajun spice blend, crisped to perfection in an air fryer, and served in fire-grilled corn tortillas with zesty mango salsa! That's what makes these Blackened Fish Tacos a real crowd-pleaser.

Delicious & Healthy 20-Minute Recipe

This is one of those recipes that is super LOW in effort and really BIG on taste! It takes only 20 minutes to make this tasty meal. And because it is made in the Air Fryer using minimal oil, you enjoy crispy fish, without the extra calories.

In this easy and simple recipe, I season the fish fillets with cajun spices, air fry them for 9-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets and serve it with fresh mango salsa on grilled corn tortillas.

The flavor combination of spicy blackened fish and sweet and tangy mango salsa is simply AMAZING! And since I pair it with corn tortillas, this recipe is also gluten-free.

But before I get into details of this recipe, let me share some basics about the kitchen gadget I prepared them in - an Air Fryer.

What is an Air Fryer?

An Air Fryer is a countertop kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it, similar to a convection oven, but way quicker. The food is cooked in a cooking basket that sits inside a drip pan.

Reasons Why I Prefer Air frying Fish

• Healthier cooking alternative to frying. Since the air frying technology allows you to cook without any oil, it helps to cut down unnecessary calories.
• Faster Cooking time - Since the surface area in the fryer basket is much smaller than an oven, the hot air circulates much faster, thereby reducing the cooking time.
• Food cooks evenly thanks to the rapid air circulation technology. I tested many batches of fish and chicken and the fillets cooked evenly every single time, no matter which order they were placed in.
• Doesn't heat up the house. The heat emitted by an air fryer is similar to that of a toaster, so it doesn't heat up the house like a traditional oven.

Alright, let's make these flavorful Blackened Fish tacos!

Homemade Cajun Spice Mix

The first time that I tasted Blackened Fish was in New Orleans, and I have been a fan ever since. It's spicy, smoky, and a powerhouse of flavors. Here's my easy recipe for a Cajun spice mix that combines the aroma and flavors of the following spices: (this quantity is enough to season one pound of protein of your choice)

• 1 tablespoon paprika (regular or smoked)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½-¾ teaspoon cayenne (reduce or skip to preference)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

What's the Best Fish to use for Fish Tacos?

Most firm white fish work well for tacos as they hold their shape well and absorb the seasoning in a short amount of time.

Depending on the availability in store, I alternate between mahi-mahi, sea bass, cod, halibut, or tilapia. If using frozen, I thaw the fish overnight in the refrigerator before using it.

How to Make Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Step 1. Prepare and Cook the Fish

1. Combine salt, paprika, oregano, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and brown sugar in a shallow mixing bowl. (pic 1 & 2)

2. Pat dry the fish fillets with paper towels. Brush or drizzle some olive oil or any clear cooking oil on the fish. This helps the spice blend stick to the fish. (pic 3 & 4)

3. Generously sprinkle the spice mix on one side of the fish fillets. Gently pat the fish so the spices stick to the fish. (pic 5 & 6)

4. Flip the fish and brush the other side with oil and sprinkle the remaining spices. Gently press the spices onto the fish. (pic 7 & 8)

5. Turn on your Air Fryer. Place the fish fillets in the basket. Don't overlap or overcrowd the pan. Close the basket.

6. Set 360°F for 9-10 minutes, or simply navigate to the fish preset. Use the +/- button to adjust the time. If using fillets thicker than 1 inch, increase cook time to 11 minutes. When the timer goes off, use long tongs or a fish spatula and remove the fish filets.

Step 2. Assemble Tacos

1. Warm up corn tortillas as per your preference. I like to fire-grill them using tongs on my stove. Alternatively, wrap them in a wet paper towel and heat them in your microwave for 20-30 seconds.
2. Add a fish fillet, or stack two small fillets. Top with a couple of tablespoons of Mango Salsa, or your favorite condiment and enjoy your Blackened Fish tacos!
3. Optionally, you can add some shredded cabbage in the tacos and then top that with the fish fillets.

Serving Suggestion- What to Serve with Fish Tacos

I serve these fish tacos with a variety of condiments, and Mango Salsa always ends up being the #1 choice.

The sweet, tart, and zesty flavors in the salsa contrast and balance the earthy and spicy flavors of the fish so well. It's a match made in food heaven! Here's an easy recipe for Mango Salsa. You can also serve these tacos with freshly made Pico de Gallo or Guacamole.

Some other side dishes that pair well with these tacos include Mexican Rice, Mango & Bean Salad, or these crispy air fryer French Fries.

Recipe Tips for Delicious Air Fryer Fish Tacos

1. For best results, pat the fish dry, brush oil and then sprinkle seasoning.  This way the seasoning sticks to the fish and flavors it evenly.  It also results in a crisper texture after cooking. 
2. Any white flaky fish would work in this recipe- Mahi-Mahi, Tilapia, Cod or Halibut.
3. If using fillets thicker than 1 inch increase cook time to 11 minutes. 
4. For a low-carb variation, substitute the corn tortillas with ice-berg lettuce cups and top it with any low-carb salsa, like Pico De Gallo, or sauce of your choice. Avoid mango salsa as mangoes tends to be high in carbs. 

Common Questions for Air Fryer Fish

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