Air Fryer Fish & Asparagus with Lemon Butter
Serves: 2
Time: ~15 minutes
Mood: light, tasty, I did well today
What You’ll Need
The Fish
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2 fish fillets (salmon, cod, tilapia, or flounder all work)
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1½ tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
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½ teaspoon paprika
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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¾ teaspoon salt
The Asparagus
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1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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Salt and pepper, to taste
The Finish
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Juice of ½ lemon
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Optional: lemon zest or garlic butter
How to Do It
1. Get everything ready
Pat the fish dry with paper towels—this helps it cook instead of steam.
Toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Season the fish
Brush the fish with melted butter or oil.
Sprinkle on paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Gently press the seasoning in so it sticks.
3. Preheat the air fryer
Set it to 380°F (193°C) and let it heat for about 3 minutes.
4. Start cooking
Place the fish and asparagus in the air fryer basket or a heat-safe dish.
Cook for 8 minutes.
5. Turn and finish
Carefully flip the fish and give the asparagus a shake or turn.
Cook for another 6–7 minutes, until:
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the fish flakes easily with a fork
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the asparagus is tender with a little char
(If your asparagus is thin, see the tip below.)
6. Finish with lemon
Right out of the fryer, squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything.
Add extra butter if you’re feeling kind to yourself.
7. Let it rest
Wait 2 minutes before eating so the juices settle.
How People Actually Eat This
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With rice or quinoa
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With more lemon on the side
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Straight from the dish, because dishes are annoying
Tip from Real Life
If your asparagus is thin, add it halfway through cooking so it doesn’t get too soft.
Q & A (Because Life Happens)
Q: Can I use frozen fish?
Yes. Thaw it first and pat it very dry, or it’ll release water and won’t brown well.
Q: What’s the best fish for beginners?
Salmon and cod are the most forgiving. Tilapia cooks fast, so keep an eye on it.
Q: My fish is done but the asparagus isn’t. What now?
Pull the fish out, tent it loosely with foil, and give the asparagus another 2–3 minutes.
Q: Can I swap the asparagus for another veggie?
Totally. Green beans, broccoli, or zucchini work great—just adjust thickness and timing.
Q: How do I know the fish is done?
It should flake easily with a fork and look opaque all the way through. If it’s still glossy in the middle, give it another minute.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—use olive oil instead of butter and finish with extra lemon.
Q: Why does my fish stick?
Either the basket wasn’t lightly oiled or the fish wasn’t ready to flip yet. If it resists, give it another 30–60 seconds.