Seeking a culinary adventure to tantalize your family’s taste buds? Your search ends here! Today, we’ll guide you through creating a mouthwatering Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish using an air fryer.
Love the taste of grilled fish but dread the smoky aftermath in your kitchen? Concerned about the skin peeling off during cooking? Worry no more! Our air fryer method guarantees a smoke-free, perfectly cooked fish every time. Let’s dive in!
Preparation
15 minutes Cooking
15 minutes Serves
1-2 people
Ingredients for Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish
-
800 g – 1 kg Fresh fish
-
1 Lemon
-
Air fryer, aluminum foil, seasoning brush.
Ingredients for Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish
How to Make Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish
Start by thoroughly cleaning the fish: remove scales, gills, innards, and the black membrane inside the belly to minimize fishy odors. Rub the fish with coarse salt and lemon for 3–5 minutes, rinse multiple times with clean water, and pat dry. Finally, make 3–4 diagonal cuts on both sides to allow seasoning to penetrate and ensure even cooking.
Preparing the Fish
In a mortar, combine garlic, shallots, fresh chili peppers, coarse salt, sugar, and MSG. Pound until smooth to release their natural aromas. Add chili sauce and cooking oil, mixing until a smooth paste forms. The oil helps the seasoning adhere to the fish and prevents it from drying out during air frying.
Using gloves, rub the marinade evenly over the fish. Ensure the cuts and the inside of the belly are well-coated for deep flavor penetration. Let the fish marinate for 30–45 minutes to enhance its taste and tenderness.
Making the Salt and Chili Pepper Marinade
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 5 minutes. Line the tray with aluminum foil shaped like a boat, brush with a thin layer of oil, and place the fish on top.
Grill at 180°C for 15 minutes, then flip the fish, brush with remaining marinade or a bit of oil, and continue grilling at 200°C for another 10–15 minutes. When the skin turns golden brown and crispy, and the aroma fills the air, the fish is perfectly cooked.
Final Product
After grilling, gently transfer the fish to a plate or keep it on the foil to prevent the flesh from breaking. Garnish with cucumber, herbs, or lettuce for an appealing presentation.
The finished Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish boasts crispy skin, tender and juicy flesh, perfectly balanced with the spicy and savory marinade. Serve with rice paper, fresh noodles, herbs, and dip in tamarind fish sauce or green chili salt for an unforgettable meal.
Enjoying the Dish
Ingredients for Marinating Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish in an Air Fryer
-
1 kg Golden carp
-
20g ginger
-
10g green onions
-
20g chili peppers
-
50g peanuts
Ingredients for Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish
How to Marinate Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish in an Air Fryer
Preparing the Ingredients
Peel and crush the shallots, garlic, and ginger. Use the root of the green onions, crushed, and finely chop the leaves for scallion oil. Lightly crush the peanuts.
Clean the fish thoroughly, using salted water to eliminate any fishy odors. Make 2–3 diagonal cuts on both sides to allow the marinade to penetrate deeply.
Marinating the Fish
Prepare the marinade: ¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp sugar, ½ tsp fish sauce, ½ tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp stock powder. Mix well, then brush evenly over the fish, ensuring the cuts are well-coated. Reserve some marinade for later.
Stuff the crushed shallots, garlic, green onions, and chili peppers into the fish’s belly. This eliminates fishy odors and enhances the aroma during grilling. Let the fish marinate for 20 minutes before grilling.
Grilling the Fish
Place the fish in the air fryer. Set to grill mode at 170°C for 10 minutes. After the first cycle, remove the fish, brush with the reserved marinade, and return to the fryer for another 10 minutes at 170°C. Finally, sprinkle with 1 tbsp dried chili flakes.
Drizzling Scallion Oil for a Glossy Finish
Heat 1 tbsp oil, then drizzle over the chopped green onions to make scallion oil. Add crushed peanuts for extra flavor. Drizzle this mixture over the fish for a glossy, appetizing finish.
Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish
The fish is crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, with a beautifully golden skin. The flavors are perfectly balanced, not overly spicy. Pair it with fresh herbs and rice paper for a weekend culinary masterpiece!
Choosing Fresh Fish
Select fish with firm, non-soft flesh. Check the gills: bright red gills indicate freshness, while dark red or black gills mean the fish is not fresh.
Using Cooking Oil
When air frying, lightly brush the fish with oil for even browning and to prevent sticking. Aluminum foil can be used for grilling.
Proper Marinating Techniques
Use salt, MSG, and fish sauce for marinating, avoiding sugar, garlic, or lemongrass as they can burn during cooking. These ingredients should be added after grilling for better flavor and appearance.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer for 3–5 minutes at 200°C before cooking to ensure even browning and prevent the fish from falling apart.
Tips for Marinating Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish in an Air Fryer
This article has shown you how to make Salt and Chili Pepper Grilled Fish using an air fryer—simple yet incredibly delicious. Happy cooking!
