If you’re like me, then you know there’s absolutely nothing better than biting into some delicious and delectable fried fish dinner in the summer.

If you’re new to making this tasty entree, then you might have a few questions such as how long to fry fish or what the ideal temp for deep frying fish actually is. If so, don’t stress.

We have answers to all the most commonly asked questions about making fried fish for dinner, including the ideal deep fry fish time.

This dish is perfect for those long, summer days when you wish you were at the shore hanging out with your friends. Best of all, it doesn’t take that long to cook, either. In fact, your batch of tasty fish will be ready to consume and enjoy in only a few minutes.

That’s what I love about a deep fryer; it makes the cooking process so fast. Plus, sometimes fried food just tastes better, right?

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about frying fish (and yes, pun definitely intended):

What is the Best Fish to Fry?

Ah, this is probably one of the most important questions you should ask. After all, choosing the wrong fish can leave a bad taste in your mouth (both literally and figuratively).

When it comes to frying fish, you should opt for any of the following types of fish:

• Striped Bass
• Perch
• Tilapia
• Catfish
• Halibut
• Alaskan Cod

If tilapia being mentioned on this list concerns you, let me break down why. Though tilapia by itself can be a little bit of a hit or miss in terms of flavor, it actually provides a pretty great base you can build flavors on, especially when deep fried.

In any fried tilapia recipe, you’ll want to use a little bit of Old Bay seasoning to ramp up the flavors. If you don’t have Old Bay, you can, of course, swap it out with some paprika for a little kick.

Whichever you use, both can be considered the secret ingredient to making tilapia jump off the plate (flavor-wise, of course).

The same can be said for halibut. While a little sweeter than tilapia, halibut is mild enough to pair really well with bold flavors like lemon juice.

When it comes to frying fish, choosing something with a mild flavor gives you versatility. Plus, it won’t take away from the fried texture being the star of the show.

Ways to Fry Fish

So, you want to fry up some fish, right? The most common way to fry fish is, of course, with an actual deep fryer. After you cover your fish in a batter, you’ll place it in a deep fryer that’s filled with oil in order to fry it.

Though this is a very popular method, it is also one of the unhealthiest. People are much more health conscious today, which is one of the main reasons why appliances such as air fryers have sprung into popularity over the past few years.

An air fryer achieves the same fried results but without the oil, allowing you to feel a bit better about the kinds of food you’re consuming.

Keep in mind that seasoning is key if you’re opting for the air fry method. Douse a little salt, pepper, and the secret ingredient – lemon juice – on your filets before placing them in the air fryer. If you prefer to not use lemon juice, use some cajun seasoning instead for a little kick.

Another popular way to fry fish is to cook it in a pan. This will take longer than the deep fryer/air fryer methods but is a good option if you don’t own the two appliances referenced above.

How to Season Fish Before Frying?

C’mon, we all want to know! Part of what makes a fried fish recipe taste so great is the kind of seasoning that’s used to elevate the flavor.

As such, one of the most important parts of learning how to make fried fish is knowing what seasonings to use and the best methods for doing so.

Before ever adding oil to your fish, first, add all of your herbs and spices. Adding seasoning on top of oil creates a slick surface and you may lose a lot of your seasoning during the cooking process.

By adding it before the oil, you’re guaranteeing more flavor because the seasoning is more likely to stay on once it gets submerged in the deep fryer.

There are a few ways you can season your fish before frying. The first is to add salt and pepper. Though simple, it tastes great. Other excellent seasonings include beer, garlic, cayenne pepper, and onion powder.

Beer, for example, tastes great when paired with tilapia, whereas garlic and cayenne pepper pair beautifully with catfish.

Regardless of which seasoning you go with, always slice your fish into strips about 3” wide. This makes it easy for them to get fully coated in the seasoning.

Then, when it comes to seasoning them, go as light or as heavy as you want. This is where personal preference comes in, so do whatever you think is best.

How Long Should You Fry Fish?

How long does it take to fry fish? The answer to this common question will depend on whether or not you’re using an air fryer, deep fryer, or regular pan, as these are the most common methods of frying fish.

Are you using a deep fryer? If so, fry your fish for approximately five minutes on each side until golden brown. Using a frying pan? Cook them for about two minutes on each side.

The only cooking method that will take the most amount of time will be if you’re using an air fryer. This method takes about 20 minutes to complete, when flipping your filets about halfway through to make sure they’re evenly cooked.

But once it’s done, you’ll be able to enjoy some delicious deep-fried fish for dinner. Serve with a little tartar sauce and white wine and you’ve got the perfect meal.

Deep-Fry Fish at the Right Temperature

If you’re using a deep fryer or pan, the ideal deep fryer temperature for fish is between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s critical that you fry your fish between this range because anything higher than this will burn your filets. And trust me when I say that there’s nothing worse than a burnt, uber-chewy fish filet.

The deep fry fish temp for an air fryer, on the other hand, is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking for the best-fried fish recipe to use with an air fryer, pair either cod or catfish with breadcrumbs, olive oil, onion powder, and chili powder (the secret ingredient for a little pop of heat).

If you don’t have breadcrumbs, granola actually makes a fabulous (albeit surprising) alternative.

How Do You Know When Fish is Done Frying?

If this is your first attempt at making fried fish, you’re going to have questions such as how long to deep fry fish and how long to fry fish in oil.

However, another question you should be asking is how to recognize when your filets are done frying and ready to serve.

While, sure, you can use the cooking times above for guidance, accidentally serving soggy, greasy fish because it’s undercooked is a big no-no.

When fish is done frying, the filets will actually float up to the surface. This applies to deep frying only, as rising to the top isn’t possible in either a pan or air fryer.

If you’re using either a pan or air fryer, you can tell that your fish filets are fully fried if they’re golden brown and flake rather easily. If they don’t flake a little, cook them for a minute or so longer until they do.

Ways to Tell if Deep-Fried Fish is Done

Are your fish fully fried? As mentioned above, easy ways to tell is if they’re golden brown, flaky, or, if cooked in a deep fryer, rise to the surface of the oil.

Another easy way you can determine if your fish is fully fried is to measure its internal temperature.

Most fish should reach an internal temperature between 140-145 degrees. Tilapia is a bit of an outlier as its internal temperature can be a bit above 145 degrees.

In order to measure the internal temperature of your fish, you’ll need to buy a digital thermometer. Insert this into the thickest part of your fish to get an accurate temperature reading.

You can purchase an internal thermometer at your local grocery store or online at many popular retailers.