This 5 ingredient air fryer halibut will be your new favorite weeknight meal. Fresh halibut is coated in a crunchy herb panko topping, and cooked perfectly in less than 10 minutes. It's an easy, healthy, and delicious recipe.
Don't own an air fryer? No problem! I've included oven-baked instructions for this panko crusted halibut too. This is one recipe the whole family will love. Pair this air fryer halibut with a simple butter lettuce salad and Boursin mashed potatoes for a full meal.
![Four halibut fillets on a white plate with a bowl of roasted potatoes and side salad.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-1.jpg)
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Halibut in the Air Fryer
While working on my Mediterranean Diet cookbook, I learned that fish is such an incredible food for brain health and try to work it into my diet at least once a week. But now I need easy recipes I can make quickly and that two toddlers will love - not easy!
Fish is one of my favorite things to air fry. It cooks quickly and perfectly every single time. For this air fryer halibut, I took elements that people loved from my popular baked halibut and added a little panko crunch. You'll love this recipe because:
- Easy - Very minimal cooking required! A great recipe for beginner cooks.
- 5 ingredients - Simple and straightforward.
- Family friendly - My kids love this one because it takes like elevated fish sticks with the extra crunch!
- Versatile - This recipe is migraine diet friendly, Mediterranean diet friendly, gluten free, and dairy free.
![A fork with a bite of halibut on it next to a plate with roasted potatoes.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-4.jpg)
Air Fryer Information
For this recipe I used my basic Cosori Pro 6qt air fryer (20% off with code THEDIZZYCOOK20) and it worked perfectly for 4 halibut fillets. You could also use an instant pot air fryer lid too.
I find that toaster oven style air fryers and convectional ovens tend to take a longer cooking time and not get as crispy. You may need to cook on the high end of the recipe time if using one of these.
Ingredients
![Ingredients for air fryer halibut on a white table.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-Ingredients.jpg)
This air fryer halibut has just 5 main ingredients!
- Halibut - I used wild Alaskan halibut here, but any kind you like would work. Mine was around 1 inch thick.
- Mayonnaise - This keeps the fish really tender and provides some extra flavor. Even if you dislike mayonnaise, I used Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Mayo that I got at Costco.
- Parsley - Fresh or dried parsley will work.
- Garlic - I used fresh here, but garlic powder would be a more mild flavor if you aren't a garlic fan. You could also omit it completely.
- Panko - These are just extra crunchy breadcrumbs that you can typically find in the Asian food aisle. I used Trader Joe's brand, but Kikkoman (regular) is popular too. And I recommend Jeff's for gluten free panko.
How to Air Fry Halibut
![Process for how to dry halibut, top with panko, and cook it in the air fryer.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-Process.jpg)
Step 1: Pat the halibut dry
Use fresh halibut or halibut that has been defrosted all the way through. You can do this by placing in the fridge overnight or placing in a sealed bag in cool water for about 30 minutes. It's important to pat the halibut dry on both sides, which will help with cooking and also allow the topping to adhere better.
Step 2: Make the garlic herb topping
Stir together the parsley, garlic, and mayonnaise mixture till well combined.
Step 3: Apply to the halibut
Apply an even layer of the spread to the top of the fillet, then coat with panko breadcrumbs so it adheres to the mayo mixture.
Step 4: Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the halibut fillets, skin side down if skin is on, into the air fryer and cook at 400 F for 8 minutes, or until cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 130-135 Fahrenheit for a medium temperature.
The USDA recommends fish be cooked to 145 degree Fahrenheit internal temperature, however, halibut at this temperature can get a little bit tough. Please use whatever temperature fits your personal preference. For a well-done fish, this would be about 10 minutes.
![Four halibut fillets in an air fryer.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-Done.jpg)
Can I Make This in the Oven?
This air fryer halibut translates very well to a traditional oven, it just takes a little bit longer to cook. I recommend cooking at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
What Other Types of Fish Will Work?
If you don't have halibut on hand, you can also use cod, salmon, mahi mahi, flounder, sole, or many different types of "whitefish". It's an extremely versatile recipe! Just remember the thickness of your fillet matters. For example, halibut fillets are generally thicker than flounder by about ½ inch or more. If you intend to use a fillet less than 1 inch, you will need to decrease the cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
![Panko crusted halibut on a plate with multi-colored roasted potatoes and a green salad.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-Sides.jpg)
A simple air fried halibut pairs easily with almost any side dish, but here are a few of my personal favorites.
- Boursin mashed potatoes
- Butter lettuce salad
- Roasted cauliflower with cheese sauce
- Simple green beans
- Apple fennel salad
- Mashed cauliflower
Storage and Reheating
Halibut is best enjoyed the same day, but this can be reheated in the air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. It will store well in the fridge for up to 2 days. I do not recommend freezing.
![Four panko crusted halibut fillets on a white plate with parsley.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-3.jpg)
How to Make Ahead
This air fryer halibut can be prepped up till sprinkling with panko. Arrange the fillets on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 1 day before cooking.
Air Fryer Fish Recipes
For more recipes like this air fryer halibut, try my Mediterranean Halibut or one of these favorites.
![Panko and parsley crusted halibut fillets on a white plate.](https://thedizzycook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Halibut-Main-300x300.jpg)
Air Fryer Halibut
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds fresh halibut fillets, sliced into 4 pieces
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the halibut filets dry with a paper towel. Season the flesh side with kosher salt and black pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, parsley, and garlic. Spread in an even layer on top of the halibut filets (flesh side). Sprinkle the panko on top.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully place the halibut fillets inside the air fryer basket with space between them.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes at 400F or until an internal temperature of 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit is reached for medium temperature.
- If you'd prefer the fish be well-done, cook to a 145 F internal temperature, about 10 minutes total.
Notes
- To cook this in a regular oven - Bake at 425F for about 15 minutes.
- For a toaster oven air fryer - Cooking times may take 1-2 minutes longer.
- To defrost frozen halibut, place it in the fridge overnight, or defrost quickly in a sealed bag placed in cold water for about 30 minutes.
- These times worked with a halibut fillet that was about 1" thickness. Cooking times will be longer for a thicker fillet.
- Halibut is well done at 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but that is the USDA recommendation for cooking fish. Please cook to to your own preference! The mayonnaise gives this some extra moisture. I personally prefer medium (around 130-135F)
- Use gluten free panko for a gluten free meal. Skip the added salt and consider homemade breadcrumbs for low sodium.
Super fresh and really tasty!
Delicious and very easy, thank you!
You're welcome!