Air-Fryer Beer-Battered Fish

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb skinless cod fillet, about 1 inch thick, cut into 8 portions
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp paprika
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt, divided
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 cup beer, preferably lager
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Instructions

1. Pat 1¼ pounds of fish dry; refrigerate while making batter.
2. Whisk ¾ cup flour, 1½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1½ teaspoons paprika, pinch of cayenne, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish; set aside. Whisk the remaining 1 cup flour and ½ teaspoon baking soda in a medium bowl. Add ¾ cup beer and 1 egg and whisk until smooth (the batter should be thick). Refrigerate the batter.
3. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (see Tip). Coat the basket generously with cooking spray. Remove the fish and batter from the refrigerator and set a large rimmed baking sheet on the counter. Pat the fish dry again. Lightly dredge each piece of fish in the flour-spice mixture, tapping off excess, and transfer to one half of the baking sheet. Spread the remaining flour-spice mixture on the other half of the baking sheet.
4. Using 2 forks, dip a piece of fish into the batter, letting excess batter drip off, then place in the flour-spice mixture, gently flipping until well coated. Repeat with the remaining fish. Once all the fish is coated, spray the top side with cooking spray until no dry flour remains. Arrange the fish pieces sprayed-side down in the air-fryer basket, without touching. Generously spray the tops and sides of the fish with cooking spray. Cook until the coating is golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 13 minutes. Gently remove the fish with a flexible spatula (some batter may stick to the bottom of the basket). Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and serve immediately.