Easy Crispy Air Fried Sardines
Achieve restaurant-quality crispy sardines at home in under fifteen minutes. By utilizing air fryer convection technology, these sardines turn golden and crunchy on the outside while remaining tender and succulent on the inside. This nutritious, omega-3 rich dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, avoiding the mess of traditional deep frying while delivering satisfying savory flavor.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 15
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Pescatarian
Ingredients
1 lb fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
1/2 cup fine-grind cornmeal
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil spray
Instructions
Rinse the sardines thoroughly under cold running water to remove impurities.
Pat the fish completely dry with clean paper towels.
Combine the cornmeal, smoked paprika, and salt in a shallow bowl.
Drizzle the oil over the fish and toss to coat lightly.
Press each fish into the cornmeal mixture until fully coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
Place the coated sardines in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crisping.
Notes
Ensure the fish is patted completely dry before coating to guarantee maximum crispness. Use avocado oil if you prefer a higher smoke point for high-heat air frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Find it online: https://www.blinkitchen.com/easy-crispy-air-fried-sardines/