Print

Air Fryer Crispy Lemon Pepper Fish Nuggets

Close-up of golden brown Air Fryer Crispy Fish Nuggets piled on a white plate, one nugget broken open showing white fish inside.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make crispy, bite-sized fish nuggets using your air fryer with a bright lemon pepper seasoning.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs firm white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock), cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1.5 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)

Instructions

  1. Pat the fish pieces completely dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick.
  2. Set up a standard breading station: place flour in the first shallow dish, beaten eggs in the second, and Panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning and salt/pepper in the third.
  3. Dredge each fish piece first in the flour, shaking off excess.
  4. Dip the floured piece into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off.
  5. Press the piece firmly into the Panko mixture until fully coated. Place the coated nuggets on a plate.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  7. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Work in batches if necessary.
  8. Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray.
  9. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through the cooking time.
  10. Remove nuggets when golden brown and crispy. Toss immediately with the remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, chill the breaded nuggets for 15 minutes before air frying.
  • Tilapia works well for a milder flavor, while cod provides a flakier texture.
  • Serve with a simple Greek yogurt dip mixed with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/air-fryer-crispy-fish-nuggets-with-lemon-pepper/