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Air Fryer Sardines

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These air fryer sardines come out perfectly crispy and golden every time. A simple weeknight dinner that's ready in minutes.
Air Fryer Sardines
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4 servings
Calories 188 kcal
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Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Whole Fresh Sardines, gutted and scaled
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • Lemon Wedges, for serving
  • Flaky Sea Salt, for finishing

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the sardines under cold water and pat them completely dry inside and out with paper towels. Dry sardines will crisp much better.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
  • Drizzle the olive oil over the sardines and rub it into the skin. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over all sides of each fish, pressing gently so it adheres.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes.
  • Arrange the sardines in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in two batches. Do not stack the fish.
  • Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, carefully flipping once halfway through, until the skin is crispy and golden and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Transfer to a serving plate, finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt, and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 188kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 18gFat: 12g
Keyword air fryer, crispy fish, healthy seafood, sardines
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