Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Mala Cumin Fish

Chunks of white fish are marinated, starch-coated, and air-fried until deeply crisp, then lightly tossed with a fragrant mala cumin oil. The finished dish is crunchy, numbing, savory, and brightened with shallot, cilantro, and lime.

Total time: 44 min • Active: 25 min • Inactive: 19 min

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Ingredients

1 count shallot
2.5 tsp kosher salt
0.5 tsp white pepper
2 clove garlic
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp rice vinegar
11 tsp neutral oil
1 tbsp vodka
1.5 lb cod fillet
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
0.5 cup potato starch
0.333 cup cornstarch
0.25 cup rice flour
0.25 tsp baking powder
4 count dried red chilies
0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
≈0.125 tsp (tiny pinch) sugar
≈0.125 tsp (tiny pinch, optional) MSG
≈0.5 cup (for garnish) cilantro leaves
≈0.25 cup (optional garnish) crispy fried shallots
1 count lime

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Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Mala Cumin Fish

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Combine the salt, white pepper, grated garlic, optional grated ginger, rice vinegar, neutral oil, and vodka to make the marinade.

Coat the fish chunks with the marinade and let them marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.

Mix the potato starch, cornstarch, rice flour, salt, and baking powder to make the coating mixture.

Remove the fish from the marinade and pat it very dry.

Coat the dried fish thoroughly with the coating mixture, lightly oil it, then dust it very lightly with more coating and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

Toast the cumin seeds and Sichuan peppercorns in a dry pan until fragrant, then crush them coarsely.

Thinly slice the shallot.

Air fry the coated fish at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until deeply crisp and golden.

Rest the cooked fish on a wire rack for 1 to 2 minutes.

Heat the oil over medium-low heat, then add the toasted spices, dried red chilies, optional chili flakes, salt, sugar, and optional MSG; cook just until fragrant without burning.

Toss the fish lightly with the mala cumin oil, then top with the sliced shallot, cilantro leaves, optional crispy shallots, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

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Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Mala Cumin Fish

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