Air fryer walleye is one of the easiest ways to cook this mild, flaky fish while still getting that golden, slightly crispy texture on the outside. If you love fried fish but want a lighter option, the air fryer delivers incredible results with less oil and less mess.
Walleye is a popular freshwater fish known for its delicate flavor and tender texture. Cooking it in the air fryer helps lock in moisture while creating a perfectly crisp coating. This recipe takes about 10 to 12 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a simple weekend meal.
Whether you are using fresh or frozen walleye fillets, this method is reliable and beginner friendly. Serve it with lemon, tartar sauce, or your favorite sides for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
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Why You Will Like This Recipe
Walleye is a great fish to serve in the Summer here in the Midwest. This type of fish can be pan seared like my recipe for Pan Seared Lemon Pepper Walleye and then make some fresh 3 Ingredient Tartar Sauce to enjoy with it.
- Quick and easy recipe ready in about 10 minutes
- Crispy outside with a tender, flaky inside
- Uses less oil than traditional frying
- Perfect for fresh or frozen walleye fillets
- Great for weeknight dinners or simple meals
- Beginner friendly and hard to mess up
You can get walleye at a fish market or at the deli counter, or decide to catch it on your own. 😉
If you’re wondering what to serve with walleye try Air Fryer Cajun Tater Tots, Air Fryer Arby’s Frozen Curly Fries, or make some fresh cooked green beans on the side.
Ingredients Needed
- Walleye fillets - Fresh or thawed fillets work best. Walleye has a mild flavor and delicate texture that cooks quickly in the air fryer.
- Parmesan cheese is a hard, granular cheese that originated in Italy. It is typically made from cow's milk and has a sharp, nutty flavor. Parmesan cheese is often grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, and other foods.
- Breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned) - I pulverized some Ritz crackers in a zip lock bag to use as a crumb coating
- Garlic powder - is made from dehydrated garlic cloves and like the chili powder above it gets pulverized into a powder or flour consistency.
- Onion powder - Onion powder is dehydrated, ground onion that is commonly used as a seasoning. Some people do not like the taste of freshly chopped onion so onion powder is a great substitute if you have a picky eater like that in your house.
- Salt and black pepper - to taste
- Egg - The best type of eggs you can buy at the store are organic or free-range eggs, while others may prefer eggs from specific breeds of chickens
- Olive oil spray - this will help get the walleye nice and crispy in the air fryer!
How to Make Air Fryer Walleye
Step 1 Preheat air fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, pat the fish dry with paper towels.
Step 2 Coat the Fish In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Dip each walleye into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, and then press it into the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture.
Step 3 Create the Breading Mixture: In a shallow bowl or dish, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure all the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Make sure the fish is well-coated on all sides, pressing lightly to ensure the coating adheres.
Step 4 Air Fry the Walleye : Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the coated walleye in the basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Lightly spray the tops of the walleye with olive oil as well. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the walleye and air fry for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Pro Tips
- Pat the fish dry before breading for the best texture
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket
- Flip halfway through cooking for even crisping
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch
- Adjust cook time based on thickness of the fillets
- Lightly spray the coating to help it crisp up
Storage
Store leftover air fryer walleye in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat, place the fish back in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 to 4 minutes. This helps bring back the crispy texture.
Freezing cooked fish is not recommended, as the texture may become soft when reheated.
Recipe FAQS
Walleye should reach an internal temp of 145°F. It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
Dip the walleye in flour, then egg wash. Coat with your favorite bread crumbs.
Walleye typically cooks at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets.
es, but it is best to thaw the fish first for even cooking and better texture.
3 minutes.
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Air Fryer Walleye
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
This air fryer walleye is coated in bread crumbs and parmesan cheese for a super crispy fried walleye.
Ingredients
- 2 walleye fillets, with no bones
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- Olive oil spray
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the walleye: Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If the walleye are very thick, consider slicing them horizontally to create thinner fillets, which will cook more evenly.
- Coat the Fish In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Dip each walleye into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, and then press it into the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the walleye is well-coated on all sides, pressing lightly to ensure the coating adheres.
- Create the Breading Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure all the seasonings are evenly distribute. Coat the walleye in the bread crumb mixture until well coated.
- Air Fry the fish: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the coated walleyes in the basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with olive oil as well.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the walleye and air fry for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the walleye is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- Serve: Remove the walleye from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 409
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 19g
- Protein: 28g
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