Air Fryer Mediterranean Cod (Printable)

Tender cod with Mediterranean vegetables cooked in parchment in the air fryer for a light, flavorful 30-minute main.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 oz each), skinless and boneless

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
03 - 1 small zucchini, cut into half-moon slices
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 8 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

→ Aromatics & Herbs

07 - 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 lemon, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
12 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
13 - ½ tsp kosher salt
14 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine the bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic, parsley, and dried oregano. Drizzle with half the olive oil and the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
03 - Cut 4 large sheets of parchment paper, approximately 12 × 16 inches each.
04 - Place one cod fillet in the center of each parchment sheet. Season generously with salt and pepper.
05 - Spoon the seasoned vegetable mixture evenly over each fillet. Arrange 2–3 lemon slices on top of each portion, then drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
06 - Fold the parchment paper over each fillet and crimp the edges firmly to create tightly sealed packets (en papillote style).
07 - Place the sealed packets in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Cook for 13–15 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
08 - Carefully open the parchment packets and serve immediately, either directly in the parchment for presentation or transferred to plates.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • Cooking fish in parchment traps every drop of moisture and flavor, so even if you usually find cod a bit dry, this method changes everything.
  • The entire meal comes together in half an hour with almost no cleanup, which makes it perfect for those evenings when you want something beautiful but cannot face a sink full of dishes.
  • It is naturally gluten free, low carb, and dairy free, so you can serve it to almost anyone without a second thought.
02 -
  • Do not skip crimping the edges tightly, because a loose parcel lets all the steam escape and you will end up with dry fish and crunchy vegetables.
  • Check the cod at 13 minutes rather than 15, since thinner fillets cook faster and overcooked cod turns rubbery in seconds.
03 -
  • Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels before seasoning, because excess moisture prevents the fish from absorbing the olive oil and lemon properly.
  • If your air fryer basket is small, fold the parchment parcels into a slightly flatter shape rather than cramming them in, since air circulation is what makes everything cook evenly.

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