Crispy Cod Fish Sandwich with Homemade Tartar Sauce
May contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
Make your favorite fish sandwich at home with this extra crispy air fryer Cod Fish Sandwich. It’s got melted cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, and homemade tartar sauce. This is an amazing summertime sandwich to whip up for lunch or dinner!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cod Fish Sandwich
This sandwich tastes like a sunny day spent on the beach. It’s crispy, flaky, cheesy, and so fun to eat. The crunchy coating on the fish, warm melty cheese, and crisp toppings come together in the best way. On the hottest days, a cod fish sandwich is a perfect substitute for a greasy hamburger. Still satisfying, but not so heavy! We love adding some Korean pickles for a zippy, refreshing crunch.
Once we started making cod in the air fryer, sandwiches were the obvious next step. You get all the texture and flavor of a fried cod sandwich, without needing hot oil or heating up the kitchen. This version features double coated panko fish for extra crispiness, fresh lettuce and tomato, and a tangy, creamy homemade tartar sauce. Stack it all on a soft brioche bun, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes.
Try this crispy fish sandwich with Air Fryer Potatoes for a fun combo or this Easy Caesar Salad for a lighter lunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cod Fillets:
- Fresh cod fillets: Thick, mild white fish that flakes easily. Halibut or tilapia can also be used.
- Flour mixture with Old Bay: A seasoned base that helps the breading stick and adds classic seafood flavor.
- Eggs: Acts as a binder between the flour and breadcrumbs.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Create a crisp, golden brown coating in the air fryer.
- Olive or canola oil spray: Keeps the breading brown and crisp without deep frying.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Basic seasoning for the fish before dredging.
- White American cheese: I can’t help myself, I love American cheese on a fish sandwich. You can use white or yellow American cheese, or substitute cheddar if you prefer. But nothing melts quite like American!
For the Tartar Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy, tangy base of the sauce.
- Bread and butter pickles + dill pickles: Add both sweetness and tangy bite for a well-balanced flavor.
- Garlic and lemon juice: Bring brightness and depth to the mix.
Cod Sandwich Toppings:
- Fresh lettuce
- Red onion
- Tomato
- Pickles
- Soft brioche buns: Lightly sweet and perfect for toasting, these hold everything together without getting soggy.
Want another sandwich idea? Try this Grilled Skirt Steak Sandwich next.
How to Make a Cod Fish Sandwich
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Set out three shallow bowls: the first shallow bowl with the flour mix, one with whisked eggs, and one with panko. Pat the cod dry. Add salt and black pepper. Dip a fillet in the flour.
Step 2: Then, dip the fillet into the egg mixture.
Step 3: Finally, dip into the panko. Repeat each step again to make it extra crispy. Do this for all the fillets.
Step 4: Spray both sides with oil. Place the coated fish fillets in the air fryer in one layer.
Step 5: Cook 4 minutes. Flip and cook 3 to 4 more minutes.
Step 6: Add cheese on top for the last minute.
Step 7: Mix mayo, pickles, garlic, and lemon juice to make tartar sauce. Add sea salt and pepper to taste. Toast the buns, if desired. Spread both sides with tartar sauce, then add lettuce, fish, tomato, onion, and pickles and close.
Tips for Super Crispy Air Fryer Cod
- Double dip for crunch: Dip the cod in flour, egg, and panko twice for a thicker crust. This creates more texture and helps the coating hold up better in the air fryer for maximum crispiness.
- Use the right oil spray: Stick with olive, avocado, or canola oil spray, which helps the coating brown evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd: Give each fillet space so hot air can circulate. Crowding the basket can lead to steaming instead of crisping, which softens the coating.
- Let it rest on paper towels: After cooking, place the fish on paper towels for about 30 seconds and then rest on a wire rack. This soaks up any extra moisture and helps preserve the crunch as you assemble the sandwich.
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
- The tartar sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Store any leftover fish in a container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to re-crisp the fish.
Cod Sandwich FAQs
Soft brioche buns are a top choice because they’re slightly sweet, sturdy enough to hold all the fillings, and toast beautifully. Their pillowy texture balances the crispiness of the fish. That said, you can use a potato bun or other hamburger bun of your choice.
Cod should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. At this point, it will be opaque and flake easily with a fork, ensuring it’s safe and tender.
Yes, you can. If using plain frozen cod, thaw it completely and pat it dry before coating. You can also use frozen pre-breaded fish fillets and simply adjust the cook time in the air fryer.
Place any leftover fish in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the fish separately in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back that crispy texture before reassembling the sandwich.
This crispy cod fish sandwich is flaky, cheesy, and full of flavor. It gives you all the crunch and satisfaction of a fried fish sandwich, without the hot oil or cleanup. With flakey fish fillets, creamy tartar sauce, and fresh toppings, it’s a quick and easy meal that feels just a little bit special. You can also try swapping out the cod with these Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops.
More Sandwich Recipes
- Prime Rib Sandwich
- Shredded Beef Sandwiches
- Turkey Avocado Sandwich with Chipotle Mayo
- Portobello Mushroom Sandwich
- The Best Veggie Sandwich
Join the NeighborFood email community to get recipes in your inbox ad-free! Or consider becoming a paid subscriber to access exclusive content and conversations with us. You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest. Made our recipe? Leave us a star rating or comment below!
Air Fryer Cod Fish Sandwich
Ingredients
For the cod:
- 4 cod fillets (4-6 oz. each)
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 cup flour
- ¾ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 3 eggs
- 1 ¾ cups panko bread crumbs
- Olive or canola oil spray
- 4 slices White American cheese
For the tartar sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup finely chopped bread and butter pickles
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For the sandwiches:
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 large tomato (sliced)
- Bread and butter pickles
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Get three shallow bowls and fill the first with the flour + Old Bay seasoning, the second with eggs (give them a quick whisk), and the third with panko breadcrumbs.
- Season the cod fillets with salt and pepper.
- Dip a fillet in the flour, coating all sides, then shake off any excess. Dip in the eggs, shaking off excess, then dip in the panko, coating all sides. For extra crispiness repeat each step, dipping back in the flour, eggs, and panko a final time. Repeat with remaining fillets.
- Spray the filets on both sides with olive oil spray then place in the air fryer. Fry for four minutes, flip, then fry an additional 3-4 minutes, adding cheese slices during the last minute to melt.
- Meanwhile, make the tartar sauce: Whisk together all ingredients. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Spread tartar sauce on each side of the buns then stack with lettuce, cod fillets, tomato, onions, and pickles. Enjoy!
Notes
- The tartar sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Store in the fridge.
- Store leftover fish in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to crisp the outside.
- I love pickles on mine, but you can feel free to use any sort of toppings you prefer.