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    Home » Recipes » Seafood

    Published: Mar 18, 2021 · Last Updated: Mar 18, 2021 by Kyndra Holley

    Crispy Fish Nuggets - Air Fryer - Keto

    This post may contain affiliate links

    6261 shares
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    These air fryer Crispy Fish Nuggets are not the frozen fish sticks of your youth. They are breaded with a low carb, gluten free breading, seasoning with lemon pepper, air-fried until perfectly crispy and then served with a deliciously savory tartar sauce recipe. Best of all, they only have 5 ingredients and can be made in under 30 minutes.

    a wire basket lined with parchment paper, filled with keto fish sticks, tartar and lemon
    Table of Contents show
    Ingredients from Crispy Keto Fish Nuggets
    Ingredient Notes
    How to Make Crispy Keto Fish Nuggets
    Step by step instructions
    Alternate Cooking Methods
    Recipe Tips and Variations
    Frequently asked questions
    Other recipes you might enjoy
    Sign up for our newsletter
    Crispy Fish Nuggets

    Ingredients from Crispy Keto Fish Nuggets

    ingredients for air fryer fish nuggets - cod, breading, eggs, seasoning, coconut flour

    Ingredient Notes

    • Cod - I use a wild-caught cod for these crispy fish nuggets. Halibut and haddock are also great options. (More keto seafood recipes)
    • Coconut flour - This is used to help coat the fish in order to help the breading stay on. You can omit it if you have a coconut allergy, but just know that the breading might not stay on as well. (More nut free keto recipes)
    • Eggs - The eggs in this recipe are to make an egg wash to dredge the fish in and help bind together and hold on the breading.
    • Lemon pepper seasoning - This is to add a little extra flavor to the fish. You can omit it or just use salt and pepper. Sprinkling the cod nuggets with a little dill is also delicious.

    How to Make Crispy Keto Fish Nuggets

    cod seasoned with lemon pepper, next to three bowls - breading, egg wash, and coconut flour

    Step by step instructions

    STEP 1 - Preheat the air fryer or convection oven to 400°F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet or the tray of your air fryer with spray avocado oil. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel to grease the baking sheet with a little avocado oil. (If you are using an air fryer with a basket, spray both sides of the breaded fish nuggets before putting them into the basket.) Pat the cod fillets dry and season with the lemon pepper seasoning. Cut into 1 ½ inch chunks. 

    STEP 2 - Set up 3 shallow bowls. Add the coconut flour to the first bowl, eggs and water to the second bowl, and the breading to the third bowl. Use a fork to whisk the eggs and water together.

    Bowls of breading, egg wash, and coconut flour next to breaded cod

    STEP 3 - Coat a piece of cod in the coconut flour, then dredge it in the egg wash, then coat it in the breading mixture. Repeat this process with all of the cod pieces. Place the breaded cod on the prepared baking sheet. If you are using the cooking spray, lightly spray the tops of the nuggets. 

    STEP 4 - Bake at 400°F, on the middle rack for 10 to 12 minutes (if using a convection oven). Cook on broil for an additional 2 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown. If you are using an air fryer with a basket, gently place the breaded nuggets into the basket and cook for 10 minutes. If you are using a toaster oven, air fryer combo, place the breaded cod on the air fryer tray and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.

    a wire basket lined with parchment paper, filled with fish nuggets, tartar and lemon

    Alternate Cooking Methods

    • Oven Baked - For a crispy oven-baked fish recipe, preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Lightly spray the paper with cooking spray or grease. Lay the low carb fish nuggets across the prepared baking sheet. Spray the top with cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. For extra crispiness, you can hit it on broil for a couple minutes to finish.
    • Skillet Fried - To skillet fry these crispy fish nuggets, simply heat about ½ inch of your favorite high-temp cooking oil over medium-hight heat and fry the nuggets, flipping only once, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
    • Deep Fried - fill a dutch oven with enough oil to cover the nuggets. Place a deep frying thermometer in the oil and heat it over medium-high heat until it has reached a temperature of 360°F. Gently drop the breaded cod pieces into the oil and cook, turning occasionally until they are golden brown and crispy.
    a wire basket lined with parchment paper, filled with crispy fish nuggets, tartar and lemon

    Recipe Tips and Variations

    • Make ahead - You can save time by preparing the Nut Free Keto Breading and the Garlic Dill Tartar Sauce the night before. You can even pre-make the crispy fish nuggets and store them in the freezer. Then when you are ready to cook them, simply add 5 minutes onto the cooling time.
    • Storage - Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
    • Reheating - I recommend reheating these crispy fish nuggets in the oven to maintain crispiness.
    • Spice it up - To add a nice hint of smoky flavor or a hint of sweet pepper flavor to these air fryer fish nuggets, add a pinch of smoked or sweet paprika to the breading.
    • Dill pickle brined - In my book Craveable Keto, I have a Dill Pickled Brined Keto Fish and Chip recipe. To make a variation of this, skip the lemon pepper seasoning and marinate your cod in dill pickle juice over night before making.
    • Make it a big dill - omit the seasonings from the keto breading and add a little finely chopped dill instead.
    a basket of fish nuggets with one nugget in tartar, served with lemons

    Frequently asked questions

    Is a convection oven the same thing as an air fryer?

    If you have a convection or true convection setting on your own, this is basically the same as having a huge air fryer. An air-fryer is not actually frying food. It is cooking the food with convection baking. However, because air fryers are much smaller than ovens, they can cook the same amount of food in a shorter time. This is the air-fryer I have.

    What is the best fish for fish and chips?

    My favorite fish for making keto fish and chips is cod or halibut. Haddock and pollock are also good options. Any thick, flaky white fish will work. I get all my sustainable, wild-caught seafood here.

    What can I use for breading if I do not like pork rinds?

    There are a couple of different options here. You can substitute the crushed pork rinds for blanched almond flour to make almond flour fish nuggets. Alternately, you can use a mix of equal parts of parmesan cheese, almond flour, and golden flaxseed.

    What are good oils for frying?

    Some healthy fats that are good for high-heat cooking are coconut oil, tallow, ghee, avocado oil, and olive oil.

    a wire basket lined with parchment paper, filled with fried cod, tartar and lemon

    Other recipes you might enjoy

    • Creamy Tuscan Salmon
    • fish taco bowls with seasoned cod, olives, jalapenos, peppers, tomatoes, lime, cilantro, and cauliflower rice.
      Fish Taco Bowls
    • grilled prawns on top of an avocado feta salsa, plated with lime wedges.
      Chili Lime Prawns with Avocado Feta Salsa
    • a skillet full of low carb tuna casserole, rich and creamy sauce, baked golden brown with cheese.
      Keto Tuna Casserole

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    a wire basket lined with parchment paper, filled with keto fish sticks, tartar and lemon.

    Crispy Fish Nuggets


    ★★★★★

    5 from 5 reviews

    • Author: Kyndra Holley
    • Total Time: 32 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    These Crispy Fish Nuggets are not the frozen fish sticks of your youth. They are breaded with a low carb, gluten free breading, seasoning with lemon pepper, air-fried until perfectly crispy and then served with a deliciously savory tartar sauce recipe. Best of all, they only have 5 ingredients and can be made in under 30 minutes.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 ½ pounds cod fillets (I get my wild-caught cod here)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
    • ½ cup coconut flour (I use this brand)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 3 tablespoons water
    • 1 batch Nut Free Keto Breading (get the recipe here)
    • avocado oil, for the baking sheet
    • Garlic Dill Tartar Sauce, for serving (get the recipe here)
    • lemon slices, for serving

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the air fryer or convection oven to 400°F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet or the tray of your air fryer with spray avocado oil. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel to grease the baking sheet or tray with a little avocado oil. (If you are using an air fryer with a basket, spray both sides of the breaded fish nuggets before putting them into the basket.)
    2. Pat the cod fillets dry and season with the lemon pepper seasoning. Cut into 1 ½ inch chunks. 
    3. Set up 3 shallow bowls. Add the coconut flour to the first bowl, eggs and water to the second bowl, and the breading to the third bowl. Use a fork to whisk the eggs and water together. 
    4. Coat a piece of cod in the coconut flour, then dredge it in the egg wash, then coat it in the breading mixture. Repeat this process with all of the cod pieces. 
    5. Place the breaded cod on the prepared baking sheet. If you are using the cooking spray, lightly spray the tops of the nuggets. 
    6. Bake at 400°F, on the middle rack for 10 to 12 minutes (if using a convection oven). Cook on broil for an additional 2 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown. If you are using an air fryer with a basket, gently place the breaded nuggets into the basket and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. If you are using a toaster oven /air fryer combo, place the breaded cod on the prepared air fryer tray and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. 
    7. Serve with tartar sauce and fresh lemon slices. 

    Notes

    • net carbs per serving: 4g
    • If your oven has a convection setting or a true convection setting, this is the same as air frying. Using one of these settings will get your nuggets nice and crispy. 
    • If you do not like coconut flour, or you are allergic, you can omit it. However, it does help the breading stay on. 
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 12 minutes
    • Category: Seafood
    • Method: Air Frying
    • Cuisine: English

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¼ of the recipe
    • Calories: 328
    • Fat: 11g
    • Carbohydrates: 6.9g
    • Fiber: 2.8g
    • Protein: 43.4g

    Keywords: keto fish and chips, low carb fish nuggets, keto fish sticks, gluten free fried fish, keto seafood recipes

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @kyndraholley on Instagram and hashtag it #peaceloveandlowcarb

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Addie says

      March 26, 2023 at 3:10 pm

      I would really like to try this recipe, and I'm wondering if there's any way I can make use of some dover sole "scraps'? I have about ten and a half ounces of them. The problem is, I think, that they are quite thin, but I'd love to find a way to use them up.

      BTW, I love what you did with that charming little house!

      Reply
    2. Dee says

      July 12, 2021 at 3:52 pm

      These are fantastic! Made it exactly as written and we both loved it! Thanks for sharing such great recipes!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Jodie says

      May 04, 2021 at 5:02 pm

      Very easy and delicious! Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Sandy Scanlon says

      April 18, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      Made these today, they were amazing! Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. anwitasinha says

      April 05, 2021 at 5:09 am

      nice recipe

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Penelope Wright says

      March 19, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      I made these as soon as you posted them last night. I've been waiting for you to post the recipe since you teased it on Instagram. I took your advice from the breading post and reduced some of the spices and it was perfect. Thanks for another amazing recipe

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    About Kyndra


    Kyndra
    Hey there! Welcome to my site! I am Kyndra Holley - International Best Selling Cookbook Author, and the face behind this blog. I am an avid lover of all things low carb, keto and gluten free. I focus on real, whole food ingredients that you can find at your local grocer. Read more about Peace Love and Low Carb...

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