This easy air fryer barramundi recipe cooks perfectly flaky and moist fillets in under 10 minutes! We briefly marinate the fish in a delicious combination of butter, garlic, briney capers, and bright lemon. Together they create a rich and flavorful marinade that makes even a casual weeknight dinner feel like a special occasion!
While there are many great ways to prepare skin-on fish, air frying is one of my all time favorite methods. The convenient appliance cooks fillets evenly on all sides and practically guarantees crispy skin with moist meat. You'll love how foolproof it is to cook flaky and flavorful barramundi in an air fryer, with barely any effort!
There are only 5 simple ingredients in this Asian sea bass recipe, including melted butter and capers for an irresistible balance of rich and salty flavors.
Thick fillets are marinated for just 30 minutes to infuse the barramundi with all of the deliciousness... Then air fry for less than 10 minutes. Done! You don't even need to flip the fish.
Buttery, fork-tender, and lightly crisp barramundi fillets are a sumptuous main dish to serve at dinner parties. Or enjoy any night of the week when you want a meal that's easy but with a touch of elegance!
Recipe ingredients
Barramundi fillets. Skin-on fillets, either fresh or previously frozen and thawed in the fridge overnight.
Butter. Melted butter has more rich yet mild flavor versus olive oil. Capers included in this recipe are naturally salty, so use unsalted butter to control additional salt.
Capers. Chopped capers adds a briney seafood flavor to the otherwise mild-tasting barramundi.
Lemon juice. Fresh squeezed lemon juice emulsifies the marinade, and the vibrant citrus taste balances the other rich and salty ingredients.
Garlic. Earthy, savory, and delicious to combine with capers and lemon.
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Lemon pepper seasoning and dried thyme
What is barramundi
Barramundi is also called sea bass (or seabass) or perch. It is a white fish that is wild caught in warmer saltwater around Asia and Australia. But most barramundi is farm-raised and can be sourced around the world.
You likely can find frozen fillets at local grocery chains like Costco and Whole Foods, or you can easily purchase them online.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, this lean fish is rich in protein and good fats!
Wild-caught perch can potentially contain higher levels of mercury. This is in part because it is a carnivorous fish, meaning that it eats other smaller fish that are high in mercury. However, farm raised fish are fed a controlled diet and therefore are a low risk for containing mercury.
Barramundi fillets are meaty, with thick but melt-in-your-mouth delicate flakes. The whitefish flesh has a mildly sweet and buttery flavor, without a very "fishy" taste.
Sea bass most closely resembles the texture and flavors of other white fish like cod, halibut, and tilapia. And like cod and halibut, barramundi is considered a great seafood option for those that aren't typically fans of fish.
Both of these fish are packed with good fats and vitamins. Barramundi has fewer calories and less protein, but more vitamin D. If you are looking for a deliciously lean and nutrient-rich main protein, you really can't go wrong either way!
Flavor-wise, salmon and sea bass are quite different. Salmon is known for its robust fish taste, while barramundi is more mild in flavor.
Take care to thoroughly pat the barramundi fillets dry before placing in the air fryer, as any moisture can make the fish soggy. Also be sure that the basket is not overcrowded and the fish fillets do not touch.
Using the right amount of oil should keep the fish from sticking. To be extra sure and help cut down on mess, I suggest lining the basket with parchment paper. Add the paper after preheating the air fryer, right as you're adding the fish.
More air fryer fish recipes
Hope you will like this air fryer barramundi recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Recipe
Air Fryer Barramundi
Ingredients
- 1 large barramundi fillet
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon chopped capers chopped
- ½ lemon juiced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon thyme dried
Instructions
- Make marinade. Combine melted butter, chopped capers, lemon juice and garlic. Add fish to the mixture and let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Season with lemon pepper seasoning and thyme.
- Cook fillets skin side down in the air fryer at 380 degrees for 8 minutes.
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