Introduction
Every town in Britain has a fish shop that people swear is the best. The batter’s always better. The chips are always crispier. The bloke behind the counter has apparently been frying fish since the Battle of Hastings. This recipe takes everything good about a proper British fish supper and turns it into easy air-fryer cod goujons with a crisp golden coating, flaky fish, and a proper chip-shop-style curry mayo that disappears frighteningly quickly. Crunchy outside. Soft flaky cod inside. Exactly what fish should be.
You’ll Need
500g cod loin or cod fillets, cut into thick goujons
80g plain flour
40g cornflour
2 eggs, beaten
100g panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
Oil spray
For the Curry Mayo
4 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp mild curry powder
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp lemon juice
Small pinch sea salt
Optional but Dangerous
Chunky chips
Mushy peas
Pickled onions
Lemon wedges
Crusty bread roll
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.
Pat the cod completely dry using kitchen paper.
In one bowl place the flour and cornflour.
In a second bowl beat the eggs.
In a third bowl mix together the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Coat each cod goujon in the flour mixture, then egg, then the breadcrumb mixture.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Arrange the goujons in a single layer and spray the tops lightly with oil.
Air fry at 200°C for 10–12 minutes, turning carefully halfway through, until deeply golden and crisp.
While the fish cooks, mix together the mayonnaise, curry powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt.
Allow the fish to rest for 1 minute before serving.
Serve with curry mayo, lemon wedges, chips, or whatever chip-shop accompaniments make you happy.