Air-Fryer Fish Cakes

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Typically deep-fried, these tasty air-fryer fish cakes get a little zip from sweet chili sauce and fresh cilantro. The squeeze of lime at the end brings everything together perfectly, so don't skip it.

air-fryer fish cakes on plate
Cook Time:
10 mins
Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
2
Yield:
4 cakes
Nutrition Profile:
The ingredients for the air-fryer fish cakes recipe

Photographer: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

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Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 10 ounces finely chopped white fish (such as grouper, catfish or cod)

  • cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

  • 2 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce

  • 2 tablespoons canola mayonnaise

  • 1 large egg

  • teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 2 lime wedges

Directions

  1. Coat the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray.

  2. Combine fish, panko, cilantro, chili sauce, mayonnaise, egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl; stir until well combined. Shape the mixture into four 3-inch-diameter cakes.

    Hands shaping cakes for the the air-fryer fish cakes recipe

    Photographer: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

  3. Coat the cakes with cooking spray; place in the prepared basket. Cook at 400°F until the cakes are browned and their internal temperature reaches 140°F, 9 to 10 minutes. Serve with lime wedges.

    Four air-fryer fish cakes getting sprayed with cooking oil

    Photographer: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Equipment

Air fryer

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is this recipe healthier than other fish cake recipes?

    Unlike other fish cake recipes that tend to be fried, we use the air fryer for our fish cake recipe, which lowers the amount of fat in it. Using whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs also boosts the fiber content a bit compared to breadcrumbs made with white flour.

  • Does white fish have omega-3s?

    White fish is a great source of protein and is low in calories, fat and carbs. While certain types of white fish may have some omega-3 fatty acids, you'll find those most abundantly in "fatty fish" like salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and rainbow trout.

  • What type of white fish can I use?

    Any white fish will work, such as grouper, catfish or cod. When shopping for fish, make sure it's firm to the touch and select what looks freshest at the best price. You can also use frozen white fish that's defrosted properly and patted dry before using.

  • I don't have Thai sweet chili sauce. Is there a substitute?

    Thai sweet chili sauce is a sweet and spicy condiment made with red chiles and garlic with a texture similar to honey. If you don't have Thai sweet chili sauce, you can combine honey and Sriracha or honey and crushed red pepper as a substitute.

  • What do you serve with Air-Fryer Fish Cakes?

    Serve with homemade Lemon Aioli, Tzatziki or Green Goddess Sauce on the side for dipping. Make it a meal with Air-Fryer Baby Potatoes, Air-Fryer Cauliflower or Air-Fryer Zucchini and a crisp green salad. You can also add air-fryer fish cakes to rice bowls, grain bowls or meal-prep bowls for healthy lunches or dinners during the week.

  • How do I keep the fish cakes from falling apart?

    After shaping the fish cakes in Step 2, refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up before air-frying.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, January 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

399 Calories
16g Fat
28g Carbs
35g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Serving Size 2 cakes
Calories 399
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 5g 10%
Protein 35g 69%
Total Fat 16g 20%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 150mg 50%
Vitamin A 441IU 9%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Folate 26mcg 6%
Sodium 537mg 23%
Calcium 55mg 4%
Iron 3mg 15%
Magnesium 48mg 11%
Potassium 731mg 16%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Jan Valdez

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.

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