Air Fryer Sea Bass

Healthy, yet absolutely delicious, this Air Fryer Sea Bass is crispy on the outside yet soft and flaky in the middle. Ready in under 10 minutes, it is perfect for a quick weekday family meal!

The air fryer has become my new go-to method for cooking fish! I have been experimenting with a variety of fish in the air fryer including this Air Fryer Sea Bass & this Air Fryer Trout and it’s cooked all of them to perfection!

With its delicate and flaky texture, sea bass is an ideal choice for air frying, allowing you to enjoy a perfectly cooked fish with a crispy exterior, yet mouthwateringly soft and flaky inside.

If you love your air fryer as much as me, you may also want to check out these Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas & Air Fryer Chicken Skewers too!

❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Healthy - There are plenty of health benefits to eating sea bass! It is low in calories and a great source of protein, as well as being packed full of essential omega-3 fatty acids.
• Dairy & Gluten Free - This air fried fish recipe is gluten-free & dairy free making it a suitable dish for people with multiple food allergies.
• Quick To Make - With a cooking time of only 5-6 minutes (depending on the make and model of your air fryer) this makes it a great choice for those hectic weeknights when you crave a healthy yet speedy dish.
• No Need To Preheat - Just place the fish straight in the air fryer, no need to wait for it to pre-heat!

🤔 Sea Bass V’s Chilean Sea Bass - What's The Difference?

Sea Bass is a generic name used for many different fish from various species; most are not even bass!

 Chilean sea bass is actually a Patagonian Toothfish (doesn’t sound as appealing does it)! and is not a sea bass at all.

European or Mediterranean Sea bass has a mild flavour, quite similar to cod & doesn’t taste overly fishy. 

Chilean sea bass has a higher fat content and whilst still mild in flavour, has a slightly more rich, buttery taste.

 🥘 Ingredients Used & Substitutions

✋ Be sure to double check all packaging for allergens. ✋

• Sea bass Fillets: There are many different types of sea bass or Branzino as it is also known. Black Sea bass and striped sea bass to name a few, along with Chilean sea bass ( although this isn’t actually a true sea bass - see above!)  I have used skinless, boneless European sea bass fillets for this recipe. Try and find fillets that are of a similar size so they cook evenly. Thinner edges on the fillets may result in overcooking at the edges before the middle is fully cooked, so it's best to select plump fillets if you can. The sea bass is the star of the show here but you can substitute the sea bass for cod with similar results. 
• Herbs & Spices: I have used a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt and pepper, but the great thing about this sea bass recipe is you can mix and match with different flavour combinations ( see the variations section below)
• Lemon: Both the juice and the zest are used for making this recipe. As you are using the skin it is best to use unwaxed lemons if you can. I would recommend using fresh lemon juice over the bottled variety.
• Olive Oil: This is mixed with herbs and spices, creating a tasty marinade to brush onto the fish.

⚡ Variations

I have opted for a simple lemon and parsley seasoning for the sea bass, but the options are endless! Here are a few alternative ideas you may also like to try:

• Cajun Spiced: Mix together equal amounts of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder & dried thyme, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Pesto Topped: Spread some shop bought or this no nut basil pesto over the top of the sea bass, then sprinkle over breadcrumbs for some extra crunch.
• Asian-Inspired Glaze: Combine soy sauce, honey, minced ginger, minced garlic, and a splash of sesame oil. Coat the sea bass fillets with the glaze and let them marinate for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
• Panko-Crusted: Dip the sea bass fillets in beaten egg ( or brush on vegan mayo if you have an egg allergy)  then coat them with seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Lightly spray or brush the fillets with oil before cooking so you get a nice crispy, brown, crunchy finish.
• Chermoula: Coat the sea bass in this homemade chermoula spice blend for a Moroccan twist.

🤔 How Long Does It Take To Cook Sea Bass In The Air Fryer?

The cooking time for sea bass in the air fryer varies depending on the thickness of the fillets. On average, it takes about 5-10 minutes to cook sea bass fillets in the air fryer. 

It's important to keep an eye on the fillets and check for doneness by making the fish reaches a safe internal temperature of 63°C (145°F).

Do keep an eye on the fish though, as the fish can overcook very quickly.

✏️ How To Make This Recipe - Step-By-Step

⬇️ Here you will find an overview of how to make the recipe. For full information on ingredients and quantities please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page ⬇️

Step 1: Start by gently patting the sea bass fillets dry using a kitchen paper towel. This helps remove any excess moisture from the fish.

Step 2: Prepare the lemon by juicing and zesting it.  To juice the lemon, cut it in half, then you can either use a lemon juicer or squeeze the lemon flesh with a fork over a small bowl, allowing the juices to fall into the bowl. Use a lemon zester or the smallest holes on a box grater to zest the lemon.

Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the onion powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper with the olive oil. Stir the ingredients together until well combined. This will be your tasty marinade.

Step 4: Using a pastry brush, generously coat both sides of the sea bass fillets with the marinade.

Step 5: Now it's time to cook the fish. Place the fillet's skin side down in the air fryer. There's no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.

Set the air fryer to 190˚C / 390˚F and let the fish cook for approximately 5-6 minutes. Keep an eye on the fish though, as it can over-cook very quickly. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. Once it has reached 63˚C / 145˚F, this means the fish is fully cooked.

Once the air fryer fillets are cooked, carefully remove from the air fryer basket with a fish slice, garnish with the lemon zest and serve immediately,

💡 Tips & Tricks

• This recipe has been tested using my Instant Pot Vortex Plus Clear Cook air fryer and the temperatures and timings are specifically tailored for this model. Please be aware that various air fryer brands may cook differently, so I would advise to regularly check the food's cooking progress to ensure the best results.
• Keep an eye on the fish as it can overcook very quickly.
• Fish is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 63˚C / 145˚F. The easiest way to check this is with a meat thermometer. You can pick one up for a really reasonable cost and they are a must-have in the kitchen.
• If you can’t find unwaxed lemons, just give the skin a good scrub before zesting to remove the wax.
• No need to worry about flipping the fillets halfway through cooking! They will cook evenly without turning them halfway through.

🥡 Storage

I would really recommend eating the air fryer fish fillets immediately after cooking as this is when you will get their optimum flavour and texture.

That being said, it is perfectly safe to store the fish fillets in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

When ready to serve, use the reheat function on the air fryer to reheat for a few minutes until heated through. You can also reheat the sea bass in the microwave but you will lose that crispy texture on the outside of the fish.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

Serve the air fryer sea bass with some air fryer smashed potatoes and air fryer honey roasted carrots.

If you prefer a lighter option, it pairs really well with this Tuscan panzanella salad & dairy free coleslaw.

Or why not make a healthier takeaway at home and serve the air-fried fish with some Five Guys style cajun fries?