Frozen Haddock in Air Fryer

This simple air fryer baked haddock recipe uses frozen fillets to create a quick and tasty mid-week meal. Serve with crispy roast potatoes or air fryer sweet potato fries and your favorite veggies for a dinner that's fuss-free and full of flavor. I've added a pesto topping but I've given lots of different flavor suggestions below that will match wonderfully with the flaky haddock.

With this baked haddock recipe there's no breading or marinating. And because it uses frozen haddock fillets, it's a perfect meal to have in reserve. There's no need to defrost the fillets first so you can keep a stash in your freezer, ready for those nights when you don't know what to cook. This method also works with fresh haddock fillets or other types of white fish. Just note that if your fish isn't frozen, it won't take as long to cook. I've included cooking times for haddock from frozen or fresh below.

How long does haddock take to cook in an air fryer?

The time it takes to air fry haddock depends on how thick your haddock fillets are and whether you are cooking them from fresh or frozen. Additionally, all air fryers are slightly different so you may need to adjust the timings for your particular model. But if in doubt, check the haddock towards to end of the cooking time and then add an extra minute or two until it is cooked all the way through. You can tell haddock is cooked when it is opaque and easily flakes apart with a fork. Here are the timings I use:

For fresh haddock fillets - air fry for 8-10 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

For frozen haddock fillets - air fry for 9-12 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

If your fillets are particularly thick, add an extra minute or two.

For extra peace of mind, you can check the internal temperature of the fish which should be 145°F (63°C) when fully cooked.

For more information about cooking times for fish, check out this fish cooking guide. Just remember, if you are adapting cooking times from a traditional oven to an air fryer, you'll need to reduce the time and temperature.

Why haddock in an air fryer works

I love cooking haddock in an air fryer, especially since I tried wrapping the fillets in aluminum foil. The tin foil acts like a little steam packet, locking in moisture so the fish stays tender and juicy, not dry or overcooked. It also helps contain any fishy cooking smells. With the air fryer’s quick, even heat, the haddock cooks through beautifully, while the foil seals in all those lovely natural flavors. This method is perfect for those busy nights when you need an easy, mess-free way to get perfectly cooked fish without heating up the whole oven.

What does haddock taste like?

Haddock has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a clean, delicate taste that makes it a real crowd-pleaser. Its gentle flavor isn’t overpowering, which means it pairs beautifully with all kinds of seasonings, herbs, and sauces. Whether you want to keep it simple with just lemon and butter or get creative with spices, marinades, or zesty toppings, haddock is like a blank canvas that soaks up whatever flavors you add. Its soft, flaky texture also makes every bite feel light and satisfying, perfect for easy, versatile meals.

Ingredients for air fryer haddock

This simple fish dish uses just two ingredients as its base - and then you can get creative adding whatever seasonings or sauces you like. The ingredients I used were a pack of frozen haddock fillets from Lidl plus a drizzle of rapeseed oil.

How to cook frozen haddock in an air fryer

It's so easy to cook haddock from frozen in your air fryer. All I do is grab my haddock fillet (one per person) and place it on a piece of aluminum foil. Then I drizzle the haddock with oil (I used a rapeseed oil as it's perfect for air frying but you can use your preferred type of oil - just steer clear of fry light or extra virgin oils). Here's some more advice on the best oils to use in your air fryer.

You can also add seasonings such as salt, pepper or dried herbs at this stage. Alternatively, you can season when the fish is cooked. Next, I wrap the fish loosely in the foil and scrunch up the edges to create parcels. I like to leave it a little loose so that the fish can steam in its foil wrapping. Then place the foil parcels in the air fryer and air fry at 9-12 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

The haddock fillets are cooked when opaque all the way through and flake easily with a fork. If you're using a meat thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

When ready, unwrap the parcels and serve right away with your choice of seasoning, sauces or toppings. If there is a lot of moisture on the fish (which can sometimes appear when cooking in tin foil, you can gently pat it off with a piece of kitchen paper).

Baked Haddock with a Simple Pesto Topping

For this pesto haddock recipe, I simply combined a tablespoon of pesto with a drizzle of olive oil in a small bowl. Then I spooned it over the fish once it was cooked. This is a really low-effort, big flavor option but you can try a host of different toppings with your air fryer haddock. Here are some other ideas that you can add to your baked haddock once it is cooked:

• Lemon herb butter — melt butter with chopped parsley, dill, or chives and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
• Mango salsa — diced mango, red onion, chili, and coriander for a sweet and spicy twist.
• Honey mustard glaze — a quick brush of honey and Dijon mustard for something tangy and a little sweet.
• Capers and lemon — a handful of capers and a few lemon slices for a Mediterranean feel.
• Simple tzatziki — cool yogurt, cucumber, and mint sauce for a fresh, summery topping.
• Roasted tomatoes and olives — a spoonful of oven-roasted cherry tomatoes and black olives.
• Chili lime butter — mix softened butter with a pinch of chili flakes and lime zest for a zippy finish.
• Creamy dill sauce — a quick sauce with sour cream or yogurt, dill, lemon, and a little garlic powder.