Air Fryer Mediterranean Cod (Printable)

Light Mediterranean cod parcels with vibrant vegetables, herbs and lemon, air-fried for a quick, healthy main.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 oz each), skinless and boneless

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
03 - 1 small zucchini, sliced into half moons
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 8 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

→ Aromatics & Herbs

07 - 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 lemon, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the ingredients.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced red bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, sliced garlic, chopped parsley, and dried oregano. Drizzle with half of the olive oil, the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
03 - Cut 4 large sheets of parchment paper, approximately 12x16 inches each, and lay them flat on your work surface.
04 - Place one cod fillet in the center of each parchment sheet. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
05 - Divide the seasoned vegetable mixture evenly among the four fillets, mounding it on top. Arrange 2–3 lemon slices over each portion and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
06 - Fold the parchment paper over each fillet and crimp the edges tightly together to form sealed packets (en papillote), ensuring no steam can escape during cooking.
07 - Place the parchment packets in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Arrange them in a single layer.
08 - Cook for 13–15 minutes until the cod is opaque throughout and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
09 - Carefully open the parchment packets, watching for hot steam. Serve directly in the parchment for a rustic presentation, or transfer to individual plates.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The parchment locks in every drop of moisture so the fish comes out impossibly tender without any added butter or cream.
  • Cleanup is almost nonexistent since everything cooks inside the paper packets.
  • It looks elegant enough for guests but honest enough for a Tuesday night dinner alone at the counter.
02 -
  • If your parchment packets are not sealed tightly, the steam escapes and the fish dries out instead of poaching gently in its own juices.
  • Do not overlap the packets in the air fryer basket because the air needs to circulate around each one for even cooking.
03 -
  • Let the dressed vegetable mixture sit for five minutes before assembling so the salt draws out some moisture from the tomatoes and creates a light natural sauce inside the packet.
  • Always place the lemon slices on top of the fish rather than underneath so the citrus oils drip down through the vegetables and infuse every layer.

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