Air fryer rainbow trout is easy to cook to moist and flaky perfection in less than 15 minutes. Whole trout is air fried with a vibrant combination of garlic, parsley, and lemon for a delightfully flavorful dish that’s made with minimal effort. This practically foolproof recipe is terrific for a quick and delicious dinner any night of the week!
It might seem like preparing whole fish requires next-level chef skills. However, leaving fish whole actually makes them less complicated to work with! Individual fillets can become overcooked in the blink of an eye, but whole fish is heartier and much less temperamental.
Trust me when I say that seafood recipes don’t get any easier than this air fryer rainbow trout recipe with whole fish! Make it with just a handful of ingredients, no batter and no heavy breading needed.
Simply fill whole fresh fish with garlic and parsley, salt, pepper and lemon. Then quickly air fry until tender, flaky, and perfectly buttery.
Air fried rainbow trout is similar to salmon in texture and flavor, and is therefore terrific to pair with the same types of side dishes. It has more delicate white flesh rather than that signature salmon pink, but trout is also considered a very healthy fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Easy, delicious, and healthy – what’s not to love about air fried trout?
Recipe ingredients
Rainbow trout. Fresh, whole and gutted – approximately 1 lb. I got mine fresh but you can use frozen. Thaw overnight in the fridge or for couple hours just on the kitchen counter.
Salt and black pepper. I suggest freshly ground pepper as it is the most flavorful.
Cloves of garlic. Peeled and smashed to release that deliciously intense garlic aroma.
Fresh parsley. To add a refreshing earthy flavor to the fish. Fresh cilantro is also a terrific option.
Lemon. Sliced thin, and placed inside the fish with the aromatics and seasonings. This adds a hint of bright citrus flavor to the dish.
How to make air fryer rainbow trout
Start with cleaning the fish. Remove scales and remove all the guts. Rinse with cold running water and its ready to be seasoned.
Get garlic cloves and smash them on the cutting board. Place inside the fish cavity along with cilantro and lemon slices. Season well with salt and pepper from the inside and outside of the fish. You can also squeeze some lemon juice on top of the fish before adding seasonings.
Spray air fryer basket with oil spray. I used olive oil spray but any oil will work. If you don’t have spray just use the brush and brush the oil with it. Place fish on top and place air fryer basket back in to the air fryer.
Cook for about 11 minutes, but the cooking time depend on the size of your rainbow trout. My fish was just 1 pound and 11 minutes was plenty for it to cook all the way through.
Recipe notes
- If unsure, please check the internal temperature of the cooked fish. It should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for the fully cooked fish.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. You can easily fit two one-pound fish in the basket but not any more. Air fryer needs space to allow hot air to circulate properly.
- Season the fish to your taste. If you like it more spicy add cayenne or Cajun seasoning.
- Store leftovers in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
What kind of fish is trout
Rainbow trout is a freshwater white fish that’s native to north American rivers, streams, and lakes.
However, occasionally rainbow trout will migrate to oceans, similar to salmon. They are then known as steelhead trout or salmon. While they taste basically the same, the shape of the fish does tend to become more streamlined once they reach saltwater.
Whether sourced from streams, the ocean, or sustainably farmed, trout is rich in healthy fats and nutrients!
What does rainbow trout taste like
Air fried rainbow trout is delicious and decadent-tasting, but is still a rather light dish. The flavor of rainbow trout is fairly mild, and the flesh is soft and flakes beautifully when cooked well. So even those who aren’t necessarily fans of fish that “tastes like fish” love this recipe.
The slightly sweet, meaty flavor of trout is ideal for cooking with fresh herbs and lemon. And because of its lightness, air fryer rainbow trout can be paired with a great variety of side dishes!
Where to buy
Rainbow trout can typically be found at grocery stores with seafood departments.
While fillets are often prepackaged and sold in the freezer section, you should find whole trout unfrozen (previously frozen) at the fresh fish counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about rainbow trout?
These hearty fish are able to adapt quickly to new surroundings. In fact, trout are able to transition from freshwater to saltwater (however, they cannot transition back). Because of their resilience they have healthy populations throughout the United States.
Is rainbow trout a salmon?
Although they are technically not the same fish, salmon and trout do belong to the same family. When trout do migrate from freshwater to saltwater, they are then called steelhead salmon or trout.
Do you leave skin on rainbow trout when air frying?
Yes, trout is wonderful to cook skin-on! Similar to salmon, cooking trout with the skin intact keeps the fish flesh moist and delicious. It becomes lightly crisp when air fried, and can be eaten.
Does fish get crispy in the air fryer?
Air fried trout skin does get lightly crisp, but not super crunchy as there is no batter or oil used in the recipe.
Side dishes
I like to serve cooked white fish with plain white rice or simple garden salad. Just chop Romain lettuce (or use spinach or arugula), add cherry tomatoes, sliced onions and cucumbers. Drizzle some olive oil mixed with balsamic vinegar and enjoy.
Leftovers
Keep rainbow trout leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Use an air tight container. Reheat in the air fryer or on the microwave for 1 minute.
More seafood recipes
- Bluefish recipe
- Air fryer frozen coconut shrimp
- Air fryer branzino
- Sea bream recipe
- Grouper recipe
- Air fryer crab sticks
- Plaice recipe
- Tilefish recipe
Hope you will like this air fryer rainbow trout recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes
Air fryer rainbow trout is easy to cook to moist and flaky perfection in less than 15 minutes. Whole trout is air fried with a vibrant combination of garlic, parsley, and lemon for a delightfully flavorful dish that's made with minimal effort. This practically foolproof recipe is terrific for a quick and delicious dinner any night of the week!
Ingredients
- 1 whole rainbow trout ( 1 lb)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic
- handful of flat parsley or cilantro
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Rinse fish with cold running water, clean it if needed.
- Open the cavity and place smashed garlic cloves inside, parsley and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add thinly sliced lemon inside as well.
- Add salt and pepper on the outside of the fish.
- Spray air fryer basket with oil spray. Place with on top and pt the basket in to the air fryer.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 11 minutes.
Notes
- If unsure, please check the internal temperature of the cooked fish. It should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for the fully cooked fish.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. You can easily fit two one-pound fish in the basket but not more. Air fryer needs space to allow hot to circulate properly.
- Season the fish to your taste. If you like it more spicy add cayenne or Cajun seasoning.
- Store leftovers in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 180Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 1136mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 20g
