This Air Fryer Halibut is a delicious and easy fish recipe that is ready in about 15 minutes. Herbs and citrus are the perfect complement to wild Alaskan halibut filets that are cooked to perfection and are so juicy and flavorful. You can use fresh or previously frozen halibut to make a simple weeknight meal or an elegant dinner for date night.
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Making halibut in the air fryer is quick, healthy and delicious. Filets are coated in olive oil, herbs and a squeeze of your favorite citrus, then cooked to perfection. There’s minimal prep and clean-up and the fish comes out so tender and full of flavor.
While I love pan-frying seafood, like this Indian Spiced Salmon, air frying is one the fastest ways to cook fish and it comes out consistently moist every time. Since the air fryer circulates air around the filets, they cook quickly and much of the moisture is sealed in, keeping it soft and flaky.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Healthy low-carb – halibut is a lean, white fish and high in protein, perfect for a low-carb diet
- Fast and easy – this is made with simple, minimal ingredients you probably have in your pantry and air frying is a very quick and simple method to cook halibut
- Bright, delicious flavors – herbs and citrus pair incredibly well with fish, especially halibut
- Special diet friendly – fish is an excellent choice for many special diet plans and this recipe contains keto-friendly, paleo, Whole30 and low-FODMAP spices (just exclude the garlic)
What does halibut taste like?
Halibut is a very large deep water white fish that can weigh over 500 pounds. It has a mild flavor and is very tender, firm, and flaky, making it very versatile for use in many cuisines.
Alaskan (also known as Pacific halibut) has a slightly sweet flavor and pairs well with bold seasonings like citrus fruit and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
This easy air fryer recipe calls for simple ingredients, but makes one of the best halibut recipes:
- Halibut filets or steaks – you can use either steaks or filets for this recipe. They should be completely thawed and be similar in thickness for even cooking time.
- Lemon, lime or orange – use fresh squeezed juice from your favorite citrus. You just need enough to cover the surface of the fish. I used fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
- Olive oil or garlic-infused olive oil – to coat the filets and help the herbs adhere to the surface
- Dill – bright, aromatic and a perfect pairing with fish.
- Parsley – has a mild, fresh, herbaceous flavor.
- Red pepper chili flakes – or use Aleppo pepper for a mild hint of spice and heat. Learn more in my Aleppo Pepper Ingredient Spotlight.
- Sumac (optional) – if you have this amazing spice in your pantry, this is a great opportunity to use it! It’s tart, tangy, fruity flavors pair well with citrus and other herbs. It complements fish very well in addition to giving a bright, flavor quality to Fattoush Salad and Sumac Salad Dressing.
- Garlic powder – adds a slightly pungent, aromatic flavor. Omit for low-FODMAP and consider using garlic-infused olive oil in place of regular olive oil.
- Salt and pepper – enhances the flavor of other ingredients, provides earthiness and a bit of spice
Instructions
Coat the air fryer basket with oil. I like to use an avocado oil spray.
Combine the herbs and spices in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
Dry the filets with a paper towel.
Apply a thin layer of olive oil to the entire surface of the filets (top, sides and bottom).
Coat all sides of the fish with the herb mixture.
Place on the air fryer basket and add a squeeze of your favorite citrus to the top of each filet – lemon, lime or orange are great choices. Add just enough to cover the surface of the fish.
Air fry at 350°F for 8-12 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145°F on an instant-read thermometer. Cook time will vary based on the thickness of your filets. Very thick filets may take up to 12 minutes.
TIP: For faster clean-up, I line the air fryer tray with a piece of parchment. I have a Ninja Foodi air fryer that folds up for storage and I love it. But, if you have another style of air fryer basket and tray, lining with parchment should still work for quick cleaning.
What to serve with halibut
Try these delicious sides for halibut that will make a great meal.
How to store
Store any leftover fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Variations
- Use different herbs – other great herbs to use are thyme, oregano and basil, or top with All-Purpose Seasoning or a sprinkling of Tikka Masala
- Try different fish – you can substitute the halibut for other fish filets, such as salmon, cod or sea bass
- Make a crispy coating – add panko, keto panko (crushed pork rinds) or parmesan to the herb rub for a crisp texture
FAQ
Yes, you can air fry frozen fish without thawing and it should still come out flaky and tender. However, the dry rub in this recipe will not adhere to the frozen fish and the citrus will not penetrate into the meat.
Its higher cost is mostly due to its high quality, fishing regulations and supply. Availability varies throughout the year, influencing market demand and causing fluctuations in price. Transportation, worker shortages and weather can also be contributing factors. Halibut tends to be most affordable during peak season (June-September in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska), and varies by region (Pacific vs Atlantic halibut).
The USDA recommends an internal temp for fish of 145°F. Eating halibut medium or rare increases the risk of food-borne illness, such as bacterial or parasitic infections.
The best way to know when fish is done is by testing with an instant-read thermometer placed in the thickest portion of the filet or roast. Fish should be opaque, rather than translucent, and flake easily with a fork.
Both are flat fish found in deep water, but there are a few notable differences. Halibut has a firm, meaty texture, a rounded body shape, can be several feet long and is typically expensive. Flounder is a long, slender fish, about 18 inches in size, has a mild, sweet flavor and is considerably less expensive than halibut.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how you liked it by giving a star rating and leaving a comment!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Halibut with Herbs and Citrus
Ingredients
- 2 halibut filets or steaks
- 2 tablespoons fresh citrus juice (lemon, lime or orange are best)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (or garlic-infused olive oil)
- ¼ teaspoon dill
- ¼ teaspoon parsley flakes
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or Aleppo pepper. Read more in my Aleppo pepper ingredient spotlight)
- ⅛ teaspoon sumac (optional, but adds a floral, citrus flavor)
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder (omit for low-FODMAP and consider using garlic-infused olive oil)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Coat the air fryer basket with oil. I like to use avocado oil spray.
- Combine the herbs and spices in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Dry the filets with a paper towel.
- Apply the thin layer of olive oil to all surfaces of the filets.
- Coat all sides of the fish with the herb mixture.
- Place on the air fryer basket and add a squeeze of your favorite citrus to each filet – lemon, lime or orange are great choices. Add just enough to cover the surface of the fish.
- Air fry at 350 °F for 8-12 minutes or internal temperature is 145 °F on an instant-read thermometer. Cook time will vary based on the thickness of your filets. Very thick filets may take up to 12 minutes.
Notes
How to store
Store any leftover fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.Variations
- Use different herbs – other great herbs to use are thyme, oregano or basil
- Try different fish – while this is a halibut recipe, you can substitute with other fish filets, such as salmon, cod or sea bass
- Make a crispy coating – add panko, keto panko (crushed pork rinds) or parmesan to the herb rub for a crisp texture
Nutrition
*Net carbs = carbohydrates - fiber
Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.
Sam says
I used frozen orange juice concentrate mixed with a little water then added the herbs on top and it was like a glaze. Even my kids loved it!
Tracey Hatch-Rizzi says
Hi Sam,
That sounds like a great idea! Thank you for sharing it and I'm so happy you and your family loved it!
Best,
Tracey