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FRIDAY FISH: Chili Fish Nuggets with Two Sauces (Air Fryer or Oven)

These "fish fry" nuggets can be made in the Air Fryer or in the oven. I tried them both ways and while the AF nuggets are def crispier, they're both yummy. They're not too spicy at all, but you can cut the heat as needed. Serve with fries and ketchup if you like. Link to AF fries in post. Make the fries first and place in warm oven while you make the fish.
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds cod or other white fish fillets, patted dry, salted and peppered and cut into approx. 2-inch pieces (some will be smaller or larger depending on size/shape of fillets)
  • 1 cup flour whisked together with ½ teaspoon each salt, pepper, and chili powder
  • 2 eggs beaten together with 1 tablespoon water and ½ teaspoon each salt, pepper, and chili powder
  • ½ cup each fresh breadcrumbs or crushed panko and cornmeal whisked together with ½ teaspoon each salt, pepper, and chili powder
  • Sweet Chili Sauce- homemade—see link in blog or purchased
  • Sriracha Tartar Sauce -- See recipe below.

Instructions

  • PREP: Make sauces and set aside. Preheat Air Fryer to 390 degrees F. for 5 minutes. Spray cooking basket with cooking spray after preheating. If cooking in oven, preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a sheet pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • DREDGING FISH: Put the flour mixture, egg mixture, and breadcrumb-cornmeal mixture into each of three different bowls. Dip nuggets on both sides into first the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and then the breadcrumb-cornmeal mixture, shaking them off a bit after each and patting the crumbs into both sides of the fish at the end. Place nuggets an inch apart in Air Fryer basket or on prepared sheet pan if using the oven. You’ll need to “fry” the fish in the Air Fryer in batches unless you have an extra-large Air Fryer.
  • “FRYING” THE FISH: Cook the fish in the Air Fryer 6-7 minutes OR until firm and crispy, turning fish over midway through the cooking time. Repeat with a second batch of fish in the Air Fryer if needed. Alternately, cook the fish in the oven 10-12 minutes OR until firm and crispy, turning over midway through the cooking time.
  • SERVING: Serve hot with sauces and fries, if desired. (See link in post for making the fries.)
    SRIRACHA TARTAR SAUCE: Mix together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon each Dijon and Sriracha, 1 tablespoon each minced onion and dill pickles, and a pinch each salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Notes

Copyright Alyce Morgan, 2022. All rights reserved.