{"format":"dagwood/rgf@1","slug":"fish-tacos","title":"Crispy Fish Tacos","blurb":"Crisp, spiced fish in warm corn tortillas with lime slaw, smoky chipotle crema and quick pickled onions.","servings":4,"yield":"12 tacos","tags":["tacos","seafood","weeknight","air fryer"],"cuisine":"Mexican","difficulty":"easy","image":"/img/fish-tacos.webp","imageAlt":"Three fish tacos topped with crispy fish strips, red and green cabbage slaw, avocado slices, pickled red onion, cilantro and a drizzle of chipotle crema, with lime wedges on the side","methods":[{"id":"pan","label":"Pan-seared"},{"id":"airfryer","label":"Air fryer"}],"lines":[{"id":"fish","name":"Crispy fish"},{"id":"slaw","name":"Lime slaw"},{"id":"crema","name":"Chipotle crema"},{"id":"tortillas","name":"Tortillas"},{"id":"toppings","name":"Toppings"}],"ingredients":[{"id":"fish","name":"cod fillets","qty":1.5,"unit":"lb","prep":"skinless","line":"fish","subs":[{"name":"mahi-mahi fillets","qty":1.5,"unit":"lb","note":"Firmer and meatier, holds together well"},{"name":"tilapia fillets","qty":1.5,"unit":"lb","note":"Thinner and milder, cooks a minute or two faster"}]},{"id":"flour","name":"all-purpose flour","qty":0.33,"unit":"cup","line":"fish"},{"id":"cornstarch","name":"cornstarch","qty":2,"unit":"tbsp","line":"fish","subs":[{"name":"rice flour","qty":2,"unit":"tbsp","note":"Just as crisp, a little lighter"}]},{"id":"chili-powder","name":"chili powder","qty":1.5,"unit":"tsp","line":"fish"},{"id":"cumin","name":"ground cumin","qty":1,"unit":"tsp","line":"fish"},{"id":"garlic-powder","name":"garlic powder","qty":0.5,"unit":"tsp","line":"fish"},{"id":"fish-salt","name":"kosher salt","qty":1,"unit":"tsp","line":"fish"},{"id":"fish-oil","name":"neutral oil","qty":3,"unit":"tbsp","prep":"such as avocado or canola","line":"fish"},{"id":"cabbage","name":"cabbage","qty":3,"unit":"cup","prep":"green, red or a mix","line":"slaw","subs":[{"name":"coleslaw mix","qty":3,"unit":"cup","note":"Skips the shredding, slightly less crunchy"}]},{"id":"slaw-lime","name":"lime juice","qty":2,"unit":"tbsp","line":"slaw"},{"id":"slaw-oil","name":"olive oil","qty":1,"unit":"tbsp","line":"slaw"},{"id":"slaw-salt","name":"kosher salt","qty":0.5,"unit":"tsp","line":"slaw"},{"id":"sour-cream","name":"sour cream","qty":0.5,"unit":"cup","line":"crema","subs":[{"name":"Mexican crema","qty":0.5,"unit":"cup","note":"Thinner and milder, easy to drizzle"},{"name":"plain Greek yogurt","qty":0.5,"unit":"cup","note":"Tangier and thicker"}]},{"id":"chipotle","name":"chipotle pepper","qty":1,"unit":"","prep":"canned in adobo, minced","line":"crema","subs":[{"name":"chipotle powder","qty":0.5,"unit":"tsp","note":"Smoky heat, less tang"}]},{"id":"adobo","name":"adobo sauce","qty":1,"unit":"tsp","prep":"from the can","line":"crema"},{"id":"crema-lime","name":"lime juice","qty":1,"unit":"tbsp","line":"crema"},{"id":"crema-salt","name":"salt","line":"crema","toTaste":true},{"id":"tortillas","name":"corn tortillas","qty":12,"unit":"","prep":"6 inch","line":"tortillas","subs":[{"name":"flour tortillas","qty":12,"unit":"","note":"Softer and milder, and they won't crack"}]},{"id":"red-onion","name":"red onion","qty":0.5,"unit":"","prep":"thinly sliced","line":"toppings"},{"id":"pickle-vinegar","name":"apple cider vinegar","qty":0.33,"unit":"cup","line":"toppings","subs":[{"name":"lime juice","qty":0.33,"unit":"cup","note":"Softer and more citrusy"}]},{"id":"pickle-sugar","name":"sugar","qty":1,"unit":"tsp","line":"toppings"},{"id":"pickle-salt","name":"kosher salt","qty":0.5,"unit":"tsp","line":"toppings"},{"id":"avocado","name":"avocado","qty":1,"unit":"","line":"toppings"},{"id":"cilantro","name":"fresh cilantro","qty":0.25,"unit":"cup","prep":"leaves and tender stems","line":"toppings"},{"id":"lime","name":"lime","qty":1,"unit":"","line":"toppings"}],"steps":[{"id":"preheat-af","line":"fish","verb":"Preheat","text":"Heat the air fryer.","min":3,"hands":"off","after":[],"uses":[],"method":"airfryer","heat":"400°F","tool":"air fryer"},{"id":"cut","line":"fish","verb":"Cut","text":"Cut {fish} into 12 finger-size strips and pat them very dry.","min":4,"hands":"on","after":[],"uses":["fish"],"why":"Dry fish takes a thin, even coating that fries up crisp."},{"id":"dredge","line":"fish","verb":"Dredge","text":"Mix {flour}, {cornstarch}, {chili-powder}, {cumin}, {garlic-powder} and {fish-salt} in a shallow dish. Coat the strips and shake off the excess.","min":4,"hands":"on","after":["cut"],"uses":["flour","cornstarch","chili-powder","cumin","garlic-powder","fish-salt"]},{"id":"sear","line":"fish","verb":"Sear","text":"Heat {fish-oil} in a large skillet until shimmering. Cook the fish in two batches until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side.","min":12,"hands":"on","after":["dredge"],"uses":["fish-oil"],"method":"pan","heat":"medium-high","tool":"large skillet"},{"id":"oil-af","line":"fish","verb":"Oil","text":"Brush the coated strips on all sides with {fish-oil}.","min":2,"hands":"on","after":["dredge"],"uses":["fish-oil"],"method":"airfryer","why":"Any flour left dry stays pale and powdery in the air fryer."},{"id":"air-fry","line":"fish","verb":"Air fry","text":"Cook the fish in a single layer, in two batches, until golden and crisp.","min":18,"hands":"off","after":["oil-af","preheat-af"],"uses":[],"method":"airfryer","heat":"400°F","tool":"air fryer","checks":[{"at":4,"text":"Flip the first batch"},{"at":9,"text":"Move the first batch to a plate and add the second"},{"at":13,"text":"Flip the second batch"}]},{"id":"slaw","line":"slaw","verb":"Toss","text":"Thinly shred the {=cabbage}, then toss it with {slaw-lime}, {slaw-oil} and {slaw-salt}.","min":5,"hands":"on","after":[],"uses":["cabbage","slaw-lime","slaw-oil","slaw-salt"]},{"id":"slaw-rest","line":"slaw","verb":"Rest","text":"Let the slaw sit so the cabbage softens slightly and soaks up the lime.","min":10,"hands":"off","after":["slaw"],"uses":[]},{"id":"crema","line":"crema","verb":"Stir","text":"Stir {sour-cream}, {chipotle}, {adobo} and {crema-lime} together. Season with {=crema-salt} and thin with a splash of water if needed.","min":3,"hands":"on","after":[],"uses":["sour-cream","chipotle","adobo","crema-lime","crema-salt"]},{"id":"warm-tortillas","line":"tortillas","verb":"Warm","text":"Heat {tortillas} in a dry skillet, about 30 seconds per side, and stack them in a clean kitchen towel.","min":6,"hands":"on","after":[],"uses":["tortillas"],"heat":"medium-high","tool":"skillet","why":"Heat makes corn tortillas pliable, and the towel keeps them soft."},{"id":"brine","line":"toppings","verb":"Make brine","text":"Stir {pickle-vinegar}, {pickle-sugar} and {pickle-salt} in a small jar until dissolved. Add {red-onion} and press it under the liquid.","min":4,"hands":"on","after":[],"uses":["pickle-vinegar","pickle-sugar","pickle-salt","red-onion"],"optional":true},{"id":"pickle","line":"toppings","verb":"Pickle","text":"Let the onion pickle until bright pink and softened.","min":20,"hands":"off","after":["brine"],"uses":[],"optional":true},{"id":"slice-avocado","line":"toppings","verb":"Slice","text":"Halve, pit and thinly slice {avocado}.","min":2,"hands":"on","after":[],"uses":["avocado"],"optional":true},{"id":"chop-cilantro","line":"toppings","verb":"Chop","text":"Roughly chop {cilantro}.","min":1,"hands":"on","after":[],"uses":["cilantro"],"optional":true},{"id":"serve","line":"fish","verb":"Serve","text":"Fill each tortilla with fish, slaw and a drizzle of crema, then add the toppings. Serve with {lime}, cut into wedges.","min":4,"hands":"on","after":["sear","air-fry","slaw-rest","crema","warm-tortillas","pickle","slice-avocado","chop-cilantro"],"uses":["lime"]}],"serve":"serve","notes":["Use fillets at least 3/4 inch thick so the strips stay juicy while the coating crisps.","A large air fryer may fit all the fish in one layer. If so, cook it in one batch for 9 to 10 minutes.","Leftover pickled onions keep for 2 weeks in the fridge."],"license":"CC BY 4.0"}