Make your favorite fish sandwich at home with these super crispy Air Fryer Cod Fish Sandwiches, loaded with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and homemade tartar sauce!

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Air Fryer Cod Sandwich pictured on a white plate with a blue background.

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Ultimate Air Fryer Fish Sandwiches

I love a good fried fish sandwich, especially in the summer. No shade to burgers, but there’s nothing like sitting on a patio enjoying a flaky, crispy fish sandwich to get me feeling those summer vibes.

I never really wanted to make homemade fish sandwiches, mainly because standing over a blazing hot pot of oil isn’t my summer hobby of choice.

But then I started making crispy cod in the air fryer, and fish sandwiches were the logical next step.

These Air Fryer Cod Fish Sandwiches are a dream dinner, and have all my favorite fish sandwich elements:

A crispy air fried fish fillet (obviously)
Melty cheese- I’m an American cheese apologist and not ashamed of it. Nothing beats the melty, creamy richness of Cooper® Sharp.
LTO- Lettuce, Tomato, and Red Onion add some crisp texture and color.
Homemade tartar sauce- creamy, pickly, refreshing, it brings the whole thing together.
Brioche bun- The subtle, pillowy sweetness of brioche is the PERFECT compliment to the crispy fish.

Today, I’ll walk you through the steps to make the BEST Air Fryer Cod Fish Sandwiches, so you can enjoy this delicious sandwich all summer long.

Two plates each topped with an open faced air fried cod fish sandwich.

How to Air Fry Fish For Sandwiches

We’ll start by making the air fried cod fillets.

Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Get three shallow bowls and fill the first with 1 cup of flour + 3/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, the second with 3 whisked eggs, and the third with 1 3/4 cups 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. Repeat with remaining fillets.
Spray the fillets 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, add cheese slices during the last minute of frying time to melt.

To assemble the sandwiches:

Layer lettuce, cod fillets, tomato, and onion on a bun. Spread tartar sauce generously on the top bun and sandwich together. Enjoy!

Up close image of air fryer fish sandwich topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and tartar sauce.

Tips for Super Crispy Air Fried Cod

Double dip– Dredging the cod with flour, egg, and panko once will give you crispy air fryer fish, but if you love the crunchy coating as much as I do, you’ll want to repeat the process–dipping the fish a second time makes these EXTRA crunchy!
- TIP: I use my right hand to dip the fish in the flour and egg, then I drop it into the panko. Then I use my clean left hand to scoop and press the panko on all sides. This keeps one hand relatively clean and prevents the wet ingredients from clumping together on your fingers.

Panko breaded cod fillets on a cooling rack on a baking sheet.

Use an olive or canola oil spray– Spraying a light coating of oil on the breaded fish will help it crisp up AND prevent sticking. However, avoid traditional cooking sprays as they have propellants, which can damage the coating in your air fryer.
Don’t overcrowd– Air fryers work by circulating heat all around the food inside. Leave a little breathing room between each fish to ensure they get crispy on all sides.

FAQS

Cod Fish Sandwich on a white plate with potato chips on the side.

What’s the best fish for fish sandwiches?

I’ve used cod here for it’s mild flavor and affordable price point, but any white fish will work, including tilapia, halibut, grouper, or bass. Look for thicker fillets, so the fish has time to crisp up on the outside before getting overcooked.

Do you put cheese on a fish sandwich?

This is personal preference, but my enthusiastic answer is YES! Either white American or yellow American cheese works well here. I love using Cooper® Sharp American cheese for these sandwiches. It’s a top-tier deli cheese with a one-of-a-kind sharp flavor, making it a family favorite for over a century!

It melts like a dream (try it in this One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni or Creamy Mac and Cheese), makes the best Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, and is also wonderful cubed or shredded in salads, like this Doritos Taco Salad.

Cooper® cheese is available to ship nationwide or you can find them in a store near you.

Homemade vs Store Bought Tartar Sauce?

We seem to be perpetually out of tartar sauce in our house, so I’ve learned to make my own with ingredients we usually have on hand. You really can’t beat the flavor of homemade, but if you need a short cut, feel free to use your favorite store bought sauce!

Can you cook frozen fish in the air fryer?

Yes! For a SUPER fast dinner, substitute the cod fillets with your favorite frozen breaded fish. Just pop them in the air fryer straight from the freezer and air fry at 390 degrees for 4-5 minutes a side. Melt cheese on the top during the last minute of cooking.

What toppings go on fish sandwiches?

We love serving fish sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, onion, and tartar sauce. If the pickles in the tartar sauce aren’t enough for you, add some extra dill pickles. For a twist, try it with these Quick Korean Pickles!

Crispy Cod Fish Sandwich with melted cheese, tomato, lettuce, and homemade tartar suace with a golden brioche bun.

More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Enjoy

This Air Fryer Asparagus would be a perfect side dish for the fish sandwiches, or go with a classic pairing of Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes.

Need more air fryer dinner ideas? Try these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops, or Southwest Air Fryer Egg Rolls.