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Home » Dinner

Air Fryer Trout

Published: Apr 27, 2023 · Modified: Mar 1, 2024 by Lauren Woodger · Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links -This means I receive a commission for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · Leave a Comment

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Trout fillet garnished with lemon on a plate with rice and broccoli.
Two raw trout fillets garnished with herbs & lemonin an air fryer.
Two cooked trout fillets garnished with lemon in the air fryer.
Two raw trout fillets garnished with herbs & lemonin an air fryer.

Looking for a healthy and easy dinner option? Try this Air Fryer Trout!  The trout fillets are tender and flaky on the inside and are ready in just 10 minutes! This simple dinner dish is a healthier way of cooking fish compared to traditional frying methods.

Trout fillet garnished with lemon on a plate with rice and broccoli.

You may know by now that I am obsessed with my air fryer! From caramelised bananas to chicken skewers & crispy pork belly, there are so many air fryer recipes you can make, I've even made a tuna melt in it!

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Today we are going to make this air fryer trout recipe in just 10 minutes!

Cooking trout in the air fryer is an easy & tasty way to cook it. The air fryer seals in the moisture, leaving the inside flaky & moist. I love cooking sea bass in the air fryer too!

If you are a lover of salmon fillets, try this trout instead for a healthy, light dinner as trout has a similar taste and texture that is equally as delicious! Also salmon lovers, check out these salmon & sweet potato fishcakes too!

Aside from fish (which we can't really substitute in this recipe as it is the main ingredient!), this air fryer rainbow trout is free from all of the other top allergens, so you can safely enjoy it if you are following a dairy-free, gluten-free or nut-free diet.

⭐ If you are looking for more dairy-free dinner inspiration download my FREE 7 Dairy-Free Dinners E-Book! ⭐

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
  • 🥘 Ingredients You Will Need & Substitutions
  • 🤔 How Long Does Trout Take To Cook In The Air Fryer?
  • ✏️ How To Make - Step-By-Step Instructions
  • 🤔 Can I Cook Frozen Trout In The Air Fryer?
  • 💡 Tips & Tricks
  • 🥡 How To Store
  • 🍴 Serving Suggestions
  • 💬 Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 More Air Fryer Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • ✔️ Healthier Option - Air fryers use circulated hot air to cook food, meaning you don't need to use lots of oil. This makes air fryer fish a healthier option compared to traditional fried fish.
  • ✔️ Faster Cooking Time - Air fryers are known for their quick cooking times, and this air fried trout is no exception. The fish cooks in less than 10 minutes, which makes air-frying the trout ideal for those busy weeknights.
  • ✔️ Even Cooking - The hot air circulation in an air fryer helps the trout fillets cook evenly on all sides. This means no more burnt or undercooked spots, which can be a common issue when cooking fish in a traditional oven or pan. The air fryer makes it so easy!
  • ✔️ Easy Clean-up -  The basket and tray can be easily removed and washed in the sink or dishwasher, or use either baking parchment paper or an air fryer liner to contain any spills or mess.

🥘 Ingredients You Will Need & Substitutions

✋ Double check all packaging for allergens ✋

Ingredients laid out for air fryer trout.
  • Trout: Rainbow trout or steelhead trout fillets are both good options. These are available in most major supermarkets or from your fishmonger. You can substitute the trout for salmon with similar results.
  • Spices: A mixture of garlic powder, oregano, salt & pepper are blended together to make the dry rub seasoning for the trout. Swap the oregano for parsley or coriander for a different herby flavour.
  • Lemon: Fresh lemon is sliced and placed on top of the trout fillets before cooking for an extra zing. You can also squeeze a dash of lemon juice over the fillets if you prefer.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

🤔 How Long Does Trout Take To Cook In The Air Fryer?

I have cooked my trout in my trusted Instant Pot Vortex Plus Clear Cook Air Fryer so the timings in this recipe are based on cooking the trout in this particular brand of air fryer.

I preheated the air fryer to 200˚C / 400˚ F and then once preheated I cooked the trout fillets for 8 minutes.

A couple of different things can affect the timings of cooking your trout, which I have outlined below.

  • Brand Of Air Fryer - Different brands of air fryers may cook at a different rate than others so timings may vary a little. I would advise you to check your fish every couple of minutes after the first 5 minutes to see if it is ready.
  • Temperature: If you don’t preheat the air fryer you will need to add on a few more minutes of cooking time. If you decide to cook the trout fillets at a lower temperature than 200˚C they will take longer.
  • Thickness Of Trout Fillet: Thicker fillets may take a little bit longer and thinner fillets will not take as long.

✏️ How To Make - Step-By-Step Instructions

⬇️ 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 ⬇️

Two trout fillets being basted with olive oil.

Step 1: To prepare your fish fillets, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

This will ensure that the air fryer is hot enough to properly cook the fish.

Step 2: Next, in a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Cut the lemon into thin slices.

Two raw trout fillets garnished with herbs in an air fryer.

Step 3: Pat dry the trout fillets with a kitchen towel.

Removing the excess moisture will help the skin to crisp up a little. 

Step 4: Using a pastry brush, brush the trout fillets with the olive oil.

This will help the spices to stick to the fillets.

Two raw trout fillets garnished with herbs & lemonin an air fryer.

Step 5: With your hands, rub the spice mixture all over the trout fillets, making sure that the spice blend is evenly coated on both sides.

Place two slices of lemon on top of each fillet.

Step 6: If using, line the air fryer basket with baking parchment or an air fryer liner, and place the trout fillets in the basket, skin side down.

This will help the skin to get crispy while the flesh cooks evenly.

Two cooked trout fillets garnished with lemon in the air fryer.

Step 7: Cook the trout fillets for 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 63˚C / 145˚F or the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the fish.

The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets and the power of your air fryer.

Step 8: Once the trout fillets are fully cooked, serve them warm from the air fryer. Enjoy!

🤔 Can I Cook Frozen Trout In The Air Fryer?

Absolutely! The great thing about the air fryer is that lots of things can be cooked in it straight from frozen. 

While it's better to thaw the trout first for more even cooking, you can cook it from frozen if you're short on time.

Follow the recipe instructions and increase the cooking time to 10-12 minutes.

To be sure it's done, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check that the fish hits an internal temperature of 145˚F.

Trout fillet garnished with lemon on a plate with rice and broccoli.

💡 Tips & Tricks

  •  ✔️ Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating the air fryer means that the trout cooks evenly.
  •  ✔️ Use A Meat Thermometer: As mentioned above, a number of different factors contribute to the actual cooking time needed. My best tip is to buy a meat thermometer to check when the fish is cooked. As soon as the internal temperature reaches 63˚C / 145˚F the fish is ready! I wouldn't be without mine.
  •  ✔️ No Need To Flip: Place the fish fillets skin side down in the air fryer basket - you don't need to flip them halfway through as the air will circulate and crisp up the trout skin underneath.
  •  ✔️ Line The Basket: To minimise mess, line the air fryer with some baking parchment or an air fryer liner. (Don’t put this into the air fryer basket until the food is in there otherwise, the paper will blow around)
  •  ✔️ Vary The Topping: For something a bit different, top the trout with shop-bought or homemade nut free basil pesto before cooking and top with breadcrumbs for extra crunch. You can also sprinkle this Chermoula seasoning or Chinese salt & pepper rub on the trout instead before cooking.

🥡 How To Store

I'd suggest enjoying the trout straight from the air fryer while it's still warm and fresh for the best results.

If you have leftovers, you can store the cooked fillets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheating the fish may dry it out although it is perfectly safe to do so.

Either reheat in the microwave until piping hot or in the air fryer on the re-heat function for a few minutes.

The fish can be stored in the freezer in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat as above.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

Air fryer trout tastes fabulous with some rice and roasted Mediterranean vegetables like courgette (zucchini), red onion and cherry tomatoes.

Or why not try it alongside these baby hasselback potatoes with garlic & rosemary or air fryer smashed potatoes & roasted carrots and green beans?

For a cold option, simply flake the trout with a fork and mix it with some mayo—perfect for a tasty sandwich filling!

Trout fillet garnished with herbs on a plate with rice and broccoli.

💬 Recipe FAQs

What does trout taste like?

Trout has a mild, delicate flavour with a similar taste to salmon. Its flesh is tender and flaky, often described as buttery or silky. It's not considered overly fishy compared to some other types of seafood.  Trout tends to be well-received even by those who are not fond of strong fish flavours. (Like my children!)

Do you put fish skin side up or down in the air fryer?

Always place the fish skin side down in the air fryer. The circulating air will still crisp up the skin.

Is air-fried trout healthy?

Yes, air-fried trout is a healthy and low-fat way to enjoy this delicious fish. It's high in protein and nutrients, and cooking it in an air fryer means you don't need to add a lot of oil or butter to make it crispy.

Should I use parchment paper or an air fryer liner when cooking trout in an air fryer?

Yes, it's recommended to use parchment paper or an air fryer liner like this when cooking trout in an air fryer. This will prevent the fish from sticking to the basket and make cleanup easier.

📖 More Air Fryer Recipes

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Close up of cajun fries in a small metal bucket.
    Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries (Oven or Air Fryer)
  • Two chicken shish kebabs on sticks laying on top of salad and pitta bread on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
  • Sliced caramelized bananas on a palte.
    Air Fryer Bananas
  • Cooked pork belly strips on a brown chopping board.
    Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Slices

If you loved this recipe, please leave me a 5🌟 rating or comment below. I really do appreciate it. 😊

📖 Recipe

Trout fillet garnished with lemon on a plate with rice and broccoli.

Air Fryer Trout

Looking for a healthy and easy dinner option? Try this Air Fryer Trout! With just a few simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes of cooking time, you can enjoy a crispy and delicious meal that's high in omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, cooking trout in an air fryer is a healthier option compared to traditional frying methods. 
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
Preheating time: 2 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 586kcal
Author: Lauren Woodger

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Chopping board
  • Sharp knife
  • Pastry Brush
  • Air fryer liner or baking parchment

Ingredients

  • 2 medium trout fillets
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic granules or 1 x fresh garlic clove
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium lemon sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Metric - Us Customary

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  • Cut 4 slices of lemon.
  • Pat the trout fillets dry with kitchen towel.
  • Brush the trout fillets with olive oil using a pastry brush.
  • Rub the spice mixture all over the trout fillets with your hands, making sure to coat the sides.
  • Place two slices of lemon on the top of each trout fillet.
  • Place the fillets on some baking parchment or an air fryer liner in the air fryer basket, skin side down.
  • Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 63˚C / 145˚F or the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. (The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets and the power of your air fryer.) You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the fish.
  • Serve the trout fillets warm from the air fryer.

Notes

See the recipe post for more detailed guidance and instructions.
Tips & Tricks
  • Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating the air fryer means that the trout cooks evenly. If you choose to not preheat the air fryer and place the fish in straight away, you will need to take a couple of minutes off the cooking time.
  • Use A Meat Thermometer: As mentioned above, several different factors contribute to the actual cooking time needed. My best tip is to buy a meat thermometer to check when the fish is cooked. As soon as the internal temperature reaches 63˚C / 145˚F the fish is ready! I wouldn't be without mine.
  • No Need To Flip: Place the fish fillets skin side down in the air fryer basket - you don't need to flip them halfway through as the air will circulate and crisp up the trout skin underneath.
  • Line The Basket: To minimise mess, line the air fryer with some baking parchment or an air fryer liner. (Don’t put this into the air fryer basket until the food is in there, otherwise, the paper will blow around)
Serving Suggestions 
Air fryer trout tastes fabulous with some rice and roasted Mediterranean vegetables like courgette (zucchini), red onion and cherry tomatoes.
Or why not try it alongside these roasted carrots and green beans?
If you would like to eat the trout cold, flake the flesh with a fork and then mix it with some mayo for a great sandwich filler.

Nutrition

Calories: 586kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 474mg | Potassium: 1321mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 6mg

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About Lauren Woodger

I’m Lauren, the creator of The Scatty Mum. As a mum to two kids with a history of food allergies and intolerances, I know how tough it can be to cook meals that are both safe and delicious.

That’s why I share easy, allergy-friendly recipes to help families enjoy stress-free mealtimes.

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Hey, I'm Lauren!

I’m Lauren, the creator of The Scatty Mum.

As a mum to two kids with a history of food allergies, I know how challenging mealtimes can be when you’re trying to please everyone.

That’s why I share easy, family-friendly recipes and meal planning tips to help busy families enjoy tasty, stress-free dinners that work for all dietary needs.

MORE ABOUT ME

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