Looking to use your new air fryer for a quick weeknight meal? Try this Air Fryer Halibut Recipe with Lemon Butter for a crisp and flaky fish with tangy golden lemon butter sauce. This recipe is an Air Fryer Halibut Recipe with No Breading made in just 30 minutes. Honestly, there are so many reasons to love this recipe!
If you just love a great fish recipe for dinner, check out my similar fresh fish recipes like Easy Panko Parmesan Baked Cod or this gorgeous 3-Ingredient Raspberry Glazed Salmon. For a smaller crowd, these are all excellent meals for 2 or three people.
Why You’ll Love this Air Fryer Halibut Recipe
- 30-Minute Meals – The simple ingredients and fast-cooking time of an air fryer recipe make this a super quick recipe.
- Easy Weeknight Dinner – No time, no problem! This meal takes very little prep and is easy to clean up after.
- Great Meals for Two – An easy low-carb fish recipe with no breading and better for you too!
Simple Ingredients
- Halibut Filets: Halibut is a mild white fish with a gentle flavor. You will want to go to your local grocery store and ask for fresh halibut filets about ½ inch thick. If using frozen halibut fish fillet, see notes.
- Kosher Salt | Kosher salt is sprinkled nicely on top of the flaky good fish filets. And Kosher salt helps to avoid clumping and awakens the flavor.
- Pepper: Fresh ground black pepper from a grinder or shaker will work.
- Paprika: I used smoked paprika for smokey flavor, but you can use regular.
- Lemon Butter Sauce: Butter, garlic and lemon juice is all you need here!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce
Step 1 | Prepping the Fresh Halibut
Start out by preheating your Air Fryer as directed in the recipe card. Remember, this recipe takes very little time, so you will want to have the rest of the meal prepared by this time.
Now, rinse the fresh Halibut and pat it dry with a paper towel – that way, you avoid soggy fish. Lightly brush or spray the fish with olive oil for the best crispy outside. You may choose to coat the tops and bottoms; I just did the tops, as my filets had skin on the bottom.
Step 2 | Adding Seasoning
Sprinkle on your dry seasonings of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. I like to mix them together first so they go on evenly. Then use your hands or a bbq brush to gently rub in the spices.
Step 3 | Cooking the Halibut
Carefully place Halibut in the air fryer basket and air fry for the recommended amount of time according to the instructions for the thickness of the filet. Good news—Air fryers cook all around the food- so you won’t even have to turn the fish.
Step 4 | Make Brown Butter Lemon Sauce
Before you start the fish or while it is air frying, make your lemon butter sauce.
- Heat butter over medium-low heat until it is fully melted and foamy.
- If brown butter is what you are after, the best way is just to keep it on low and swirl the melted butter until brown and nutty, then add in the fresh garlic, stirring for one minute until the garlic flavor blooms.
- If you don’t have the minced garlic go ahead and add in a little garlic and onion powder.
- Stir in lemon juice and serve the mix in a pretty glass serving pitcher or small gravy boat, or ladle it over the completed plates as you serve.
Step 5 | Checking the Progress
Want to know when the fish is done? The perfect filet flakes easily with a fork when done.
Remove and place the Halibut on a plate to serve with a drizzle of lemon butter sauce, add some lemon wedges to the plate with your favorite side dish.
Step 6 | How to tell if halibut is cooked
The fish should flake easily if it’s done and the internal temperature reaches 130-135ºF. You can check this by using a meat thermometer.
Additional cook time may be needed as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of fish, high altitude, and your air fryer.
Air Frying at High Altitude
I live at a high altitude in Denver, Colorado, and this recipe worked just fine for my thick filets. I air-fried them for about 6 minutes each. Start with the lower number and check; they can always go back under for a bit if not done to your liking.
Serving Suggestions
I love to pair this easy recipe, “Fish and Chips” style (fish and French fries), with some tartar sauce, a side of my Air Fryer Steak Fries, and a small salad on the side.
If you are not cutting carbs from your diet, a nice bed of coconut rice is a great way to enjoy this delicate fish. And don’t forget our favorite, Cilantro Lime Rice. – yum!
Then for the kids, I recommend pairing it with tater tots and sliced cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes to keep it simple.
Variations and Substitutions
- No Halibut? Try this recipe with other white fish like haddock, mahi-mahi, or tilapia.
- Seasoning Substitutes | Use spice mixes instead of paprika but watch the salt content and adjust the salt in the recipe if necessary. Or, try Taco Seasoning, Chili Lime Seasoning, Creole Seasoning, or any other seasoning you are keen on.
- Like a heartier meal? You can also use this recipe in fish tacos and add all the veggies and toppings!
Pro Tips
- Altitude – High Altitudes might require an additional 1 minute of cooking, but you can always put it back in. The fish should flake easily when done.
- Large Crowd – This recipe easily doubles or triples, but make sure the fish has a little room around it in the air fryer, or do it in batches. Keep the fish warm on a baking sheet covered loosley with foil in a 200°F oven.
- Freshness—Once you purchase fresh halibut filets, you should use them within a day or two to keep their peak fresh flavor.
- Never use Cooking Spray – Cooking sprays like Pam will damage the air fryer coating. Instead, use an olive oil spray or pump.
How to Store Air Fried Halibut
Leftover fish isn’t easy; however, you may reheat leftover fish back in the air fryer, it will warm it and crisp it nicely.
Preheat the air fryer to 320F / 160C. Place fish filets in the air fryer basket or tray, leaving space between them, and reheat for 5-7 minutes.
Dice fish into chunks and sauté quickly in a bit of butter in a hot sauté pan. Then, if desired, sprinkle with your favorite seasoning and use in fish tacos or a salad.
Air Fryer Halibut FAQs
Yes! You can use frozen halibut in place of fresh fillets. Pat the frozen filet dry, add oil and spices and place the frozen fillets in the air fryer in a single layer. Then, set the temperature to 350°F (175° C) and fry for around 6-8 minutes. You will probably need to add a few additional minutes, somewhere between one to three additional minutes.
Follow the instructions below for how to oven-bake it or grill it. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375–400°F). Lightly oil the grates or brush oil on both sides of the halibut fillets to prevent sticking.
Place the fish directly on the grill (or use a grill-safe fish basket or foil packet for more delicate fillets). Grill for 3–4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
To bake in your oven vs. an air fryer, prepare fish as planned making sure to line a pan with foil and oil it lightly. Place in a preheated 400°F (205° C) oven and bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (internal temp 135-140°F). If a crispier outside is desired, place under broiler for last minute or two watching carefully.
That is totally up to you and your creativity. Feel free to toss in fresh herbs like oregano or basil. You can also use dry spices like Italian Seasoning or lemon pepper for extra lemony fish filets. Not to mention, there are all the other spice blends I mentioned earlier. But also think Asian and try this simple teriyaki glaze!
What to serve with…
- Try making your own tartar sauce or try this Whole30 Tartar Sauce!
More of our Favorite Easy Dinners
If good-for-you, fast, and simple meals are what you go for, you might enjoy these:
And there are plenty more Air Fryer Recipes on my blog as well. Check them all out.
I hope you loved this Air Fryer Halibut Recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
More from The Fresh Cooky
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 6-8 ounce halibut filets fresh preferably, frozen see notes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Garnish Chopped Parsley Lemon zest, lemon juice
Lemon Butter Sauce (optional)
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 clove garlic minced, or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F. Rinse the halibut and pat dry with paper towels. Lightly brush or spray with olive oil, may do tops and bottoms, I just did the top.
- Sprinkle on salt, pepper and smoked paprika, use hands or brush to rub in the spices.
- Carefully place fish in air fryer set for 350 degrees and air fry for 5-7 minutes* depending on the thickness of the filet. There is no need to turn the fish.
- Before you start the fish or while it is air frying, make your lemon butter sauce if desired. Heat butter over medium low heat until foamy, if brown butter is desired, swirl until brown and nutty, then add garlic, stirring one minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice and serve.
- Once fish flakes easily with a fork it’s done, remove and serve with a drizzle of lemon butter sauce and your favorite side dish. We enjoyed steak fries, french fries, broccoli, asparagus etc.
Notes
- Try with other white fish like haddock, mahi-mahi, tilapia
- Use spice mixes instead of paprika (watch the salt content): try Taco Seasoning, Chili Lime Seasoning, Creole Seasoning, etc.
- Use in fish tacos.
- Use your favorite spices! Try herbs, spice mixtures or your favorites.
Nutrition
Lois
I didn’t make this recipe, but I think air fryers are a better invention than we’ve seen in a long time! I use mine everyday, and sometimes more than once a day. Couldn’t live without it! Thanks for your recipes.
Thank you so much, Lois and I quite agree!! This is probably one of my favorite AF recipes! I hope you try it.
Camille
This was absolutely delicious! And so easy too! We used the halibut my husband caught in Alaska over the summer & made this with honey glazed carrots & beets and it was DIVINE 😋
My sister & dad made it last night after I told them about it & they loved it too! It’s in the rotation for us now and we are making it again in just a couple days😂 Definitely make this!
Awe thank you so much Camille!! Jealous you had fresh halibut!! And I love how you served it!
Barbara
This recipe makes an easy, delicious fish. My husband isn’t always happy with new preparation methods, but he likes this.
So glad he liked it!! It’s one of my husbands faves too!
Lynn B Spencer
Love so much about this recipe! It is so easy to make and helps me get my non-fish-eating hubby to eat fish. It’s quick and flavorful.
That is a huge win!!!
Laura Johnson
This dinner was epic! We love halibut and this recipe cooked it perfectly!
Thanks! So glad you loved it!
Jules
I’m still learning to use my air fryer and this recipe couldn’t have been easier or more delicious.
Thank you Julie! So glad you liked it.
Joe Booker
Wonderful! After making this the first time, I cooked it again and again.
YAY! Thanks so much Joe!
Ellen
Wonderful! So tasty!
Will definitely make this again.
Yay, thanks so much, Ellen!
Terry Geiman
Made this last night what an easy and wonderful recipe. I normally grill or smoke my fish, this was first time using air fryer, lots of flavor, moist and flaked with a fork, pared with roasted asparagus made a wonderful dinner. I’ll doing this again and looking for more from you. Terry G Las Vegas, NV
Thanks so much Terry, so appreciate your kind comments!
Mon
Cooked exactly as recommended no deviations, delicious!
So glad to hear that, thank you!!
veenaazmanov
Fish sounds yummy. Simple to make and yet so flavorful. The Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce makes it super delicious and tempting.
It really is! Thanks!
Chenée
So glad I found this! I love making halibut but never thought to try it in the air fryer!
Hope it was what you hoped!
Cara
Loved this recipe – the halibut came out perfectly, and it was super easy!
YAY! Thanks so much!
Gina Abernathy
I’m always looking for new air fryer recipes and this one was perfect. Plus, it cooks fast and is so tasty.
Best of both worlds right!!
Emily
I was amazed how crispy and flaky this turned out in the air fryer! The tangy sauce complemented it perfectly!
Glad you liked it Emily!
Tayler
I made this halibut for dinner last night and it turned out perfectly! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
You are welcome!
Sara Welch
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a hit all around the table! Turned out perfectly moist and tender with the right amount of crisp! Delicious!
Just the right amount! Thanks for your sweet words!
Claudia Lamascolo
My family just loved this fish its so flavorful and perfectly seasoned plus moist! thanks!
Thanks Claudia!
Jess
I love that this is made in the Air-fryer. So simple!
Super simple! Thank you!
Beth
Halibut is one of my favorite fish. I love its firm texture and how mild the flavor is. I can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks delicious AND easy. The perfect combo.
You are going to love it!