How To Cook Halibut In An Air Fryer

Looking to use your new air fryer for a quick and healthy weeknight meal? Try this Air Fryer Halibut Recipe with Lemon Butter for a crisp and flaky fish with tangy golden lemon butter sauce. This recipe is an Air Fryer Halibut Recipe with No Breading made in just 30 minutes. Honestly, there are so many reasons to love this recipe!

If you just love a good and healthy fish recipe for dinner, check out my similar fresh fish recipes like Easy Panko Parmesan Baked Cod or this gorgeous Healthy 3-Ingredient Raspberry Glazed Salmon. For a smaller crowd, these are all excellent meals for 2 or three people.

Two halibut filets cooked on white plate with steak fries and garnished with parsley.

For those of you with kids in the house, I know you don’t have much time to stay in the kitchen now that school is back in session! This air fryer recipe is an easy weeknight meal, taking only 5 minutes prep and 10 minutes cook time.

Here’s an idea… If your kids are picky eaters, make this meal fun for them by cutting the fish into vertical pieces and making it into sticks. I guarantee they’ll be asking for a second helping.

Simple Key Ingredients

For the measurements and instructions print the recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients for Air Fried Halibut

Halibut Filets | Halibut is a mild white fish with a gentle flavor. You will want to go to your local grocery store and ask for fresh halibut filets about ½ inch thick. If using frozen halibut fish fillet, see notes.
Salt | Salt boosts the flavor of any dish. Try using a salt without MSG.
Kosher Salt | Kosher salt is sprinkled nicely on top of the flaky good fish filets. And Kosher salt helps to avoid clumping and awakens the flavor.
Pepper | Fresh ground black pepper from a grinder or shaker will work.
Paprika | Use smoked paprika for added flavor if you like a little depth and spice.

Lemon Butter Sauce Ingredients

Butter | From a stick of butter, measure out ¼ cup to make the sauce creamy good.
Garlic | Mince a fresh garlic clove or replace fresh with garlic powder. Since garlic powder isn’t very strong, you can also throw in some onion powder for even more flavor.
Lemon Juice | Add a little more oomph to your fish by zesting the lemon first and using it to sprinkle on top, then use the rest for the sauce and a few wedges to squeeze on the fish.

How to Make Air Fryer Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce

Step 1 | Prepping the Fresh Halibut

Start out by preheating your Air Fryer as directed in the recipe card. Remember, this recipe takes very little time, so you will want to have the rest of the meal prepared by this time.

Now, rinse the fresh Halibut and pat it dry with a paper towel – that way, you avoid soggy fish. Lightly brush or spray the fish with olive oil for the best crispy outside. You may choose to coat the tops and bottoms; I just did the tops, as my filets had skin on the bottom.

Hand patting dry halibut filet with paper towel. — Pat dry halibut filet

Brushing on olive oil to filet. — Pat dry halibut filet

Step 2 | Adding Seasoning

Sprinkle on your dry seasonings of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. I like to mix them together first so they go on evenly. Then use your hands or a bbq brush to gently rub in the spices.

Adding salt, pepper and paprika to filet. — Season with salt and pepper

Fish filet sprinkled with salt, pepper and paprika. — Season with salt and pepper

Step 3 | Cooking the Halibut

Carefully place Halibut in the air fryer basket and air fry for the recommended amount of time according to the instructions for the thickness of the filet. Good news—Air fryers cook all around the food- so you won’t even have to turn the fish.

Halibut filets placed into basket of air fryer. — Place filets uncrowded in basket

Cooked halibut in air fryer. — Place filets uncrowded in basket

Step 4 | Make Brown Butter Lemon Sauce

Before you start the fish or while it is air frying, make your lemon butter sauce.

Heat butter over medium-low heat until it is fully melted and foamy.
If brown butter is what you are after, the best way is just to keep it on low and swirl the melted butter until brown and nutty, then add in the fresh garlic, stirring for one minute until the garlic flavor blooms.
If you don’t have the minced garlic go ahead and add in a little garlic and onion powder.
Stir in lemon juice and serve the mix in a pretty glass serving pitcher or small gravy boat, or ladle it over the completed plates as you serve.

Melting butter in small saucepan. — Melt butter

Adding garlic to browned butter. — Melt butter

Step 5 | Checking the Progress

Want to know when the fish is done? The perfect filet flakes easily with a fork when done.

Remove and place the Halibut on a plate to serve with a drizzle of lemon butter sauce, add some lemon wedges to the plate with your favorite side dish.

Step 6 | How to tell if halibut is cooked

The fish should flake easily if it’s done and the internal temperature reaches 130-135ºF. You can check this by using a meat thermometer.

Additional cook time may be needed as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of fish, high altitude, and your air fryer.

Fried halibut on pretty plate with steak fries nearby.

Serving Suggestions

Personally, I love to pair this easy recipe “Fish and Chips” style (really, fish and french fries) with some tartar sauce, a side of my Air Fryer Steak Fries, and a small salad on the side.

If you are not cutting carbs out of your diet, a nice bed of coconut rice is a great way to enjoy this delicate fish. Add a sprinkling of lime juice over the top, and you are in for a treat. And don’t forget about that favorite, Cilantro Lime Rice from Chipotle. – yum!

My dieting friend likes to place this delicious air fryer fish over Palmini Rice from Amazon, my Air Fryer Asparagus, or a simple shredded cabbage.

Then for the kids, I recommend pairing it with tater tots and sliced cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes to keep the simplicity of the meal flowing.

Close up of flaky cooked halibut on plate.

Variations and Substitutions

No Halibut? Try this recipe with other white fish like haddock, mahi-mahi, or tilapia.
Seasoning Substitutes | Use spice mixes instead of paprika but watch the salt content and adjust the salt in the recipe if necessary. Or, try Taco Seasoning, Chili Lime Seasoning, Creole Seasoning, or any other seasoning you are keen on.
Like a heartier meal? You can also use this recipe in fish tacos and add all the veggies and toppings!

Pouring lemon butter sauce on halibut filets.

Storage

Leftover fish isn’t easy; however, you may reheat leftover fish back in the air fryer, it will warm it and crisp it nicely.

Preheat the air fryer to 320F / 160C. Place fish filets in the air fryer basket or tray, leaving space between them, and reheat for 5-7 minutes.

Dice fish into chunks and sauté quickly in a bit of butter in a hot sauté pan. Then, if desired, sprinkle with your favorite seasoning and use in fish tacos or a salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two halibut filets on white plate with steak fries as a side.

More Healthy Meal Options

If healthy, fast, and simple meals are what you go for, you might also enjoy these.

One Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe
Air Fryer Salmon
Easy Instant Pot Jambalaya
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Rice Recipe
Air Fryer Chili Lime Cod
Maple Balsamic Chicken Breasts and Veggies
Air Fryer Steak Tips (Bites)
Best Cheesesteak Sandwich Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Fish Sticks
One Pan Tuscan Chicken in Parmesan Cream Sauce
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Salmon
Easy Tamale Pie Recipe with Cornmeal Crust
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

And there are plenty more Air Fryer Recipes on my blog as well. Check them all out.

I hope you loved this Air Fryer Halibut Recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!