Crispy whole hake cooked in an air fryer served on a plate with savory gravy poured over it

Crispy Air Fryer Whole Hake with Savory Gravy

Name: Crispy Air Fryer Whole Hake with Savory Gravy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 1 piece (about 400-500 g) Whole hake fish (cleaned and gutted) - choose fresh with clear eyes and firm flesh; 1 tbsp Olive oil - extra virgin is best for flavor; 1 tsp Salt; 0.5 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground; 0.5 tsp Garlic powder; 0.5 tsp Paprika; 2 tbsp Butter; 1 medium Onion, finely chopped - choose firm, fresh onion with no bruises; 1 tbsp All-purpose flour; 250 ml Fish stock or water; 1 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh; 1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Home Page / Air Fryer Cooking Recipes / Cooking Hake in an Air Fryer

easy

18 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories300kcal

Carbs8gram

Fat7gram

Protein35gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Whole hake fish (cleaned and gutted) - choose fresh with clear eyes and firm flesh1 piece (about 400-500 g)
Olive oil - extra virgin is best for flavor1 tbsp
Salt1 tsp
Black pepper, freshly ground0.5 tsp
Garlic powder0.5 tsp
Paprika0.5 tsp
Butter2 tbsp
Onion, finely chopped - choose firm, fresh onion with no bruises1 medium
All-purpose flour1 tbsp
Fish stock or water250 ml
Lemon juice, fresh1 tbsp
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)1 tbsp

This recipe for air fryer whole hake with gravy is a simple, beginner-friendly way to make a flavorful and healthy fish dish with minimal effort. The air fryer crisps the skin nicely without excess oil, while the gravy adds a delicious depth of flavor. Total cost of ingredients is approximately $12, €11, £9, and ₹900. The dish contains around 300 calories per serving. It suits a pescatarian diet and is considered easy to prepare. Total cooking time is about 30 minutes.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the hake

1Pat the whole hake fish dry with paper towels both inside and out. This ensures crispiness when cooking.

Season the fish

2Lightly rub the hake with olive oil all over. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika evenly on both sides and inside the cavity. Let it rest for 5 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

3Turn on your air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.

Cook the hake in air fryer

4Place the seasoned hake in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 200°C (392°F) for 15-18 minutes. Halfway through, gently flip the fish for even cooking. The internal temperature in the thickest part of the fish should reach 63°C (145°F) to be safe to eat.

Make the gravy

5While the fish cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove raw taste.

Add liquids and thicken gravy

6Gradually whisk in the fish stock or water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy thickens. Add lemon juice and check seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Serve

7Remove the cooked hake carefully from the air fryer. Serve on plates and pour the warm gravy over the fish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Cooking Tips

1Always check the internal temperature of fish with a reliable food thermometer to ensure it is safely cooked to 63°C (145°F).

2To avoid cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards for fish and other ingredients, and wash hands thoroughly after handling raw fish.

3If you don’t have fresh whole hake, you can use whole trout or snapper as a substitution with similar cooking times.

4For a gluten-free gravy, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.

Equipment Needed

Air fryer
Small saucepan
Cooking tongs
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Measuring spoons
Paper towels
Food thermometer (recommended for safety)

Shopping List

[ ] Whole hake fish (~$8) - Choose a fresh, firm, and clean fish with clear eyes
[ ] Olive oil (~$0.50) - Extra virgin olive oil for best flavor
[ ] Garlic powder (~$0.20) - For seasoning
[ ] Paprika (~$0.20) - Adds color and flavor
[ ] Butter (~$0.70) - For gravy base
[ ] Onion (~$0.30) - Fresh and firm
[ ] All-purpose flour (~$0.10) - To thicken gravy
[ ] Fish stock or bouillon cubes (~$1) - For gravy (or water as substitute)
[ ] Lemon (~$0.30) - Fresh juice for acidity
[ ] Fresh parsley (optional) (~$0.50) - For garnish

Total Approximate Cost: $12.00

FAQ

How do I know when the hake is fully cooked?

Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the fish. It should reach 63°C (145°F). The flesh should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.