Introduction
The Caribbean understands something important about fish. You don't need to bury it under heavy sauces. Give it fresh lime, coconut, a little spice, some sunshine, and let the ingredients do the work. These crispy cod bites are coated in a coconut crumb that turns beautifully golden in the air fryer while the fish stays flaky and moist inside. Finished with fresh lime, they're the sort of thing you'd happily eat beside the sea with absolutely no plans for the afternoon. Crunchy. Tropical. Ridiculously easy to keep picking at.
You’ll Need
500g cod fillets, cut into bite-sized chunks
60g plain flour
2 eggs, beaten
80g desiccated coconut
50g panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp chilli flakes
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
Oil spray
For the Lime Dip
4 tbsp mayonnaise
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp honey
Small pinch sea salt
Optional but Dangerous
Mango salsa
Pineapple chunks
Fresh coriander
Sweet chilli sauce
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.
Pat the cod pieces completely dry using kitchen paper.
Place the flour into one bowl.
Place the beaten eggs into a second bowl.
In a third bowl mix together the coconut, panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chilli flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Coat each cod piece first in flour, then egg, then the coconut mixture.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Arrange the cod bites in a single layer.
Spray the tops lightly with oil.
Air fry at 200°C for 8–10 minutes, shaking gently halfway through, until deeply golden and crisp.
While the fish cooks, mix together the mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, and salt.
Allow the fish to rest for 1 minute before serving.
Serve hot with the lime dip, mango salsa, or pineapple if using.