Air Fryer Walleye

Air Fryer Walleye — Do you love the taste of walleye but hate the hassle of cooking it? If so, you need to invest in an air fryer! Air frying is a healthy and easy way to cook your favorite fish. Your air fryer will produce a delicious and crispy walleye filet in just minutes. So why not give it a try tonight?

Have you ever tried walleye? If not, you’re missing out! This delicious fish can be cooked in many ways, but my favorite is using an air fryer. Walleye is a lean fish that’s low in calories and high in protein, making it the perfect meal for anyone looking to eat healthily. Keep reading for my easy air fryer walleye recipe. You won’t regret it!

What Is Walleye?

When you hear the word “walleye,” what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, you probably think of a delicious fish that can be found in many parts of the country.

You may not know that walleye actually has a few names such as yellow pike or yellow pickerel. Walleye is a freshwater fish that is found in either the Northern United States or is widely sold in Canada.

So if you have been looking for some great walleye recipes, below is one of my favorites!

Reasons To Try This Walleye Air Fryer Recipe

• Simple steps to make juicy and flavorful walleye every single time!
• Quick cook time so you have lunch or dinner in about 20 minutes.
• A healthy meal that has omega-3 fatty acids which is incredible to incorporate into your diet.
• This is a wonderful air fryer starter recipe if you are new to cooking in the air fryer. Very easy to follow.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Walleye

There are two ways to make walleye, one with a traditional fish fry coating, with breading and the other one, is a keto and low-carb option, without breading. The recipe for the air fryer breading walleye recipe is below. I think the best way to cook walleye is an air fryer. It’s easy and you don’t have a lot of oil in the recipe. Making it a heart-friendly recipe.

• Walleye Fillet: Try to air fry up two of the same-sized fillets, so they cook evenly.
• Seasoning: Salt, Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder
• Olive Oil: You can also use any high-heat oil, such as avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or even coconut oil.

How To Cook Walleye In The Air Fryer

Below are the two versions, one is walleye in air fryer no breading (perfect for a keto or low carb diet) and the second is breaded walleye in air fryer. Either of the recipes can be quickly adapted for air fryer walleye bites, by dicing the walleye in bite size pieces, for these recipes will used walleye fillets.

How To Make Walleye Fish Air Fryer (No Breading)

Rub the olive oil over the fillets, then season. Place your fish into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 350 degrees F, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Before you remove the walleye, check the internal temperature of the fish. When the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, you can safely remove the fish.

How To Make Air Fryer Breaded Walleye

This is the fish fry that I usually use.

• Pour the batter into a large sealable bag.
• Place your fish inside the bag and then shake a few times (make sure you seal the bag first)
• As your coat your fish, place them either on a greased air fryer basket or air fryer tray.
• Set the temperature to 400 degrees F for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, flip and air fry for another 8 minutes. The key to golden brown is to coat your batter with olive oil generously; it will crisp up nicely. (air fryer setting)

Variations to Recipe

Check out these easy ways to change up the recipe to alter the flavor a bit. Feel free to make this seafood recipe the exact way as the recipe card, or add in a few changes to create your own custom dish.

• Type of Fish: You are welcome to swap out the walleye with any other type of white fish for this recipe. Just know that depending on the thickness of the fillets and type of fish the air frying time can vary.
• Cooking A Whole Fish: You can cook a whole walleye if you choose. Simply prepare the fish and then adjust the cooking time until it is fully cooked.
• Parmesan Cheese Crusted: Add in 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese to the seasonings you are using, and use the mixture to coat the fish. Gently press the mixture onto the that has been sprayed with cooking oil, that way it helps the mixture stick. Then air fry the same.
• Lemon: Once you are done cooking your fish add a drizzle of fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice adds a nice kick of citrus but is also great for reducing a fishy flavor.
• Seasonings: You can use all types of spices and herbs. From Cajun spices to parsley, oregano, basil, etc. Feel free to play around with spices to make a blend of flavors to coat your fillets in.
• Tzatziki Sauce Topper: Once your fish is done you can drizzle with some of this Mediterranean sauce for a light paring.
• Mango Salsa: Whip up this mango salsa or go spicy with a mango habanero salsa. Then serve over the top of this walleye, or make tacos with warm tortillas.
• Oven Bake: Prepare your fish on a prepared baking sheet. Then you will bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for around 12-15 minutes or until the fish is done, and reads 145 degrees internal temperature.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Walleye Fillets

• Prep Fillets: Take a paper towel and pat down your fillets to dry them off before you add seasonings and such to your fillets.
• Don’t Overlap: Make sure all your fish is in a single layer in the air fryer. You do not want to overlap or crowd the basket. Otherwise the fish will not air fry up evenly.
• Meat Thermometer: Using a meat thermometer is a wonderful way to tell if the fish is fully cooked. You want the thermometer to read 145 degrees F in the thickest part of the fillets.
• Resting: Allow the fish to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This helps lock in moisture so you serve juicy and flaky fish.
• Parchment Paper: Line your air fryer with parchment paper before you place the fish in the air fryer. You can buy air fryer parchment paper liners and this is great to help the fish from not sticking in the air fryer.

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to not eat all the fish you can store in the fridge in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Then reheat in the air fryer, microwave or even a skillet on the stovetop.

Or you can freeze the leftover fish by wrapping each fillet with plastic wrap. Then place in a freezer bag or freezer container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Then thaw in the fridge overnight.

To reheat in the air fryer preheat the air fryer to 350 and reheat for a couple of minutes until the fish is warmed all the way through.

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Air Fryer Walleye Recipe Faqs

Should Walleye Be Cooked With the Skin On? Some people love to remove the skin, while some love to keep the skin on. It’s a personal preference. I tend to remove the skin. But if you use a frozen walleye, you can toss it in with the skin on. Then you can remove the skin before serving or keep it on.

How To Cook Frozen Walleye In Air Fryer: Nothing beats a simple seafood recipe in the air fryer, and cooking frozen walleye in the air fryer is so simple. Place the frozen walleye into the air fryer basket and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Spray with cooking spray. Then set the temperature to 380 degrees F, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the fish’s internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.

How can I make the fillets crispy in the air fryer? Patting the fillets with a little oil before adding the seasonings is a great way to help ensure you get a crispy texture. The other thing is to lightly spray the fish with oil before air frying to help create a crispy texture. A little oil will go a long way.

What seasonings work well with air fryer walleye fillets? Walleye is a mild fish that is very versatile in how you can flavor it. From simple spices like salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, etc. Then for herbs you can use fresh or dried: dill, parsley, thyme, etc.

Why did my walleye fillet fall apart when I flipped it? There are a handful of reasons as to why it could have fallen apart. From overcooking the fish, or your fillets being thinner and more delicate. Make sure to be gentle with your filets when you are working with them, use a greased or prepared surface, and reach for medium thickness fillets instead of super thin.

What To Serve With Air-Fried Walleye

This is such a light fish that you can serve with anything. Some of my favorite air fryer side dishes to serve along with walleye are:

• Parmesan Crushed Walleye Recipe
• Grilled Waleley Recipes
• Broiled Walleye Recipes
• Blackened Walley Recipes

Other Ways To Prepare Walleye

Cooks who are lucky enough to reel in a Walleye they’re looking for new ideas on what to serve with this delicious fish. While many folks enjoy simply breading and air frying their Walleye, there are plenty of other great ways to prepare it.

Some great options are:

• Parmesan Crushed Walleye Recipe
• Grilled Walleye Recipes
• Broiled Walleye Recipes
• Blackened Walley Recipes

How To Make Keto Air Fryer Walleye

The breading can easily be changed out to crushed pork rinds if you are following a low-carb and keto-friendly diet. This is an excellent 5 ingredient keto recipe that the entire family will love!

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER ROCKFISH
• AIR FRYER SWAI FISH
• AIR FRYER AHI TUNA

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