First, wash and pat dry the fish filets. Then cut each filet into long strips keeping the thickness of about 1 inch.
Now season the filets with salt on both sides and brush or massage them using your hands so that the seasoning is spread evenly. Set them aside.
Next take a large plate or a mixing bowl and add all the other dry ingredients to it - breadcrumbs, garlic & onion powder, red chilli powder, salt & black pepper.
Give a good mix so that the breadcrumb is evenly mixed with all the seasoning and aromatics. Take time at this step so that you are not left with pockets of spices clumped together; everything must be uniformly distributed.
If you have mixed the breadcrumbs in a bowl, then transfer it to a shallow plate now for the breading process.
Break the egg in another shallow plate and beat it evenly along with a pinch of salt.
Now it’s time to start the process of coating your air fryer fish fingers. Take one fish filet at a time using either a fork or your one hand keeping the other hand dry and dip it in the beaten egg a few times, then lift it up and let the excess liquid drip off.
Then immediately place it on the breadcrumb mixture and using your dry hand coat it evenly with the breadcrumbs on both sides. Press the breadcrumbs lightly over the filets using your fingers so that it sticks evenly all over the filet.
Once you are happy with your coated fish filet, transfer it to another clean plate. Bread all the other fish filets similarly and arrange them on a clean plate in a single layer.
Refrigerate the coated fish fingers for about 30 minutes; this chilling time will suck the excess moisture out from breadcrumbs making the fish fingers even crisper than your imagination!
When you are ready to air fry, brush the bottom of your air fryer basket with some oil to avoid sticking and put the basket inside the machine.
Set the temperature at 190 C / 375 F & timer for 10 minutes and start the air fryer to preheat.
Once preheated, carefully place the breaded fish fingers on the basket in a single layer keeping a tiny gap between two to ensure even air flow. You may have to air fry your fish fingers in batches; otherwise they will not turn out crispy.
After placing the breaded fish filets, brush the top lightly with oil using a brush. If you have an oil sprayer, then use it to lightly coat the top of your fish fingers with oil.
Air fry the fish fingers half way through the cooking time and then take the basket out and flip each one over.
Brush or spray the other side with oil too and continue air frying them for the remaining time and your insanely crispy air fryer fish fingers are ready!
Serve your crispy & tender fish fingers with tartar sauce or any other favorite dip of yours! Enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: If you have any left over seasoned breadcrumbs, you can store them in an air-tight jar and leave it in your freezer. It will stay good for at least a month!
Note 2: If you don't have an air fryer yet, you can still replicate this recipe! Just flash fry the breaded fish filets in any oil of your choice in a deep wok for 3 to 4 minutes on medium-low flame and take them out as soon as they turn golden brown!
Recipe by Flavor Quotient at https://flavorquotient.com/2024/07/air-fryer-fish-fingers/