This Air Fryer Branzino recipe is light, lip-smackingly good, and so simple that even my kids asked for seconds (yes, fish!). Branzino is a fish dinner that’s elegant, flavorful, and unbelievably easy to make—this is the best oven or air fryer recipe for roasted branzino and you’re going to fall in love with it.
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This air fryer branzino recipe is foolproof and whips up very fast, but it feels like a special meal. As someone raised on fish by a strong, single Filipino mom, recipes like this feel close to my roots. Fish was always at the center of our table—nourishing, simple, and full of love.
If you’ve never cooked a whole fish before, start with this one. It’s easy, impressive, and deeply satisfying. Your guests (and your kids!) will ask for it again and again.
What is Branzino?
Branzino (also known as European sea bass) appeals to so many because it’s meaty, mild, and cooks beautifully in the air fryer—with perfectly golden, never-burnt skin, and a moist, flaky, meaty inside.
Whether you’re serving it as a weeknight meal or a dinner-party showstopper, this recipe delivers impressive flavor with minimal effort, cleanup, and ingredients.
It truly is an awesome “beginner friendly fish” for kids when they are trying fish because the fish has such a good flavor and needs little seasoning and preparation. Branzino is everything you want in a fish and more. I serve it all the time because we all love it, and when I see my kids eat fish…I feel even happier haha!
Taste & Texture of Branzino
Branzino is a mild, sweet white fish with a soft, tender flake. It’s not fishy, which makes it ideal for kids or anyone new to eating whole fish.
The skin crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, while the inside stays buttery and juicy. It has just enough structure to flake perfectly without falling apart—and it’s satisfying, meaty, and deeply flavorful.
Why Air Fry Branzino?
- No mess, no fuss—no oil splatters or smoky ovens
- Even golden crisp skin without drying out the inside
- Faster cooking time than the oven
- Kid-friendly: My two little ones loved it and asked for more!
- Perfect portioning: Make one per person or share one medium fish for two
You can use the same method in the oven on a sheet pan—just roast at 425°F for about 18–20 minutes and broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
Ingredients
You only need a few fresh, clean ingredients to bring this fish dish to life:
- 1 whole branzino, scaled, cleaned, and gutted (leave whole with head and tail)
- Sea salt, all over and inside the cavity – Using sea salt makes a crust on the skin and adds to the golden flavor, as well as draws out the flavor!
- Light black pepper, optional
- 1 lemon, sliced – gives aromatic and freshness while cooking
- ¼ onion, sliced – gives aromatic and freshness while cooking
- Light drizzle of olive oil on both sides
✅ Note: For this recipe, I used a medium branzino about 1.13 lbs—perfect for one adult and two young kids.
Simple Lemon-Olive Oil Sauce for Drizzling after Cooking
Whisk together the following for a clean and bright finish:
- Juice of half a fresh lemon
- Dash of rice vinegar
- Drizzle of good olive oil
- Pinch of oregano or fresh chopped parsley
- Optional: thin-sliced scallions and a touch of red pepper flakes
Drizzle this over the plated fish or serve on the side. It’s a fresh contrast to the rich, golden skin.
Equipment
- Air fryer (6–8 qt recommended)
- Parchment paper (a must for easier cleanup)
- Long metal tongs
- Serving platter
Instructions: How to Air Fry a Whole Branzino
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (about 5 minutes).
- Prep the fish:
- Pat the branzino dry with paper towels.
- Make two shallow diagonal slices on each side of the fish to help it cook evenly.
- Rub sea salt all over the skin and inside the cavity.
- Add a very light sprinkle of black pepper if using.
- Place sliced lemon and onion inside the cavity.
- Drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil all over the skin.
- Place on the parchment paper.
- Place fish in the air fryer and Cook at 400°F for 8 minutes on one side.
- Flip carefully with tongs, and cook for another 8 minutes.
- Flip again, and air fry for a final 3 minutes.
- Optional: Air fryer broil or max crisp mode for 1–2 minutes to get the skin extra golden.
- Remove and rest: Take the fish out, remove the lemon and onion, and place the fish on a platter.
- Drizzle lemon juice with olive oil mixture over the branzino and add any additional garnish or sauce of your choice. Serve and Enjoy!
Best Tips
These tips will help you achieve an awesome airfryer or oven-roasted branzino recipe.
- Dry the Fish Thoroughly – Pat the branzino dry with paper towels before seasoning. Dry skin = crispier skin.
- Don’t Overstuff the Cavity – Stick to just a few lemon and onion slices. Too much stuffing can slow cooking and make the fish steam instead of roast.
- Score the Skin – Make 2 shallow diagonal cuts on each side of the fish. This helps the heat penetrate more evenly and gives the seasoning a chance to get into the meat.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer – Always preheat to 400°F before adding the fish. This ensures even browning from the start.
- Use Parchment Paper – If you’re worried about sticking, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper—just be sure to leave space for airflow around the edges.
- Flip Gently – Use long metal tongs to flip the fish without tearing the skin. Be patient and gentle, especially after the first 8 minutes when the skin starts to crisp.
- Watch the Final Broil – If using the “broil” or “crisp” function at the end, keep a close eye on the fish—1 to 2 minutes is enough to boost golden color without burning.
- Make the Sauce Fresh – Whip up the lemon-olive oil sauce while the fish cooks. Drizzle it right before serving to keep the skin crisp but give it that bright, fresh flavor contrast. The vinegar brings lots of acidity and bright vibrance to the sauce.
- Plan for One Fish per 1–2 People – A medium branzino (around 1.1 to 1.3 lbs) is perfect for one hungry adult or one adult and two kids. For gatherings, plan on one fish per every 1–2 guests.
What to Serve With Air Fried Branzino
This dish is versatile enough for solo dinners or weekend gatherings. While branzino is popular with Mediterranean side dishes, Asian flavors also go perfectly with branzino. Try an Asian branzino style meal with sides like the following:
- Steamed jasmine or garlic rice
- Roasted or stir-fried vegetables (asparagus, bok choy, or green beans)
- Cucumber salad with rice vinegar
- Light miso soup or broth
- Asian Caesar salad with homemade miso Caesar dressing
Some Asian Sauces to Try With Branzino
Take your fish to the next level with these quick Asian-inspired sauce ideas:
- Ponzu + Grated Daikon: A citrusy soy-based dip
- Ginger Scallion Sauce: Sauté chopped ginger and scallions in oil, then spoon over fish
- Soy Sauce + Calamansi or Sawsawan: Classic Filipino table dip
- Sweet Chili Sauce: For a sticky-sweet finish
- Tamarind Fish Sauce Dip: If you like sweet-sour balance with heat
How to Store Leftovers
- Fridge: Wrap leftovers in foil or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Place in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to crisp the skin again.
- Don’t microwave—it will make the fish rubbery and ruin the skin.
This Air Fryer Branzino recipe is my go-to on lazy days when I’m completely wiped out but still want to serve something impressive. It’s effortless, no-mess, and delivers a dish so flavorful and beautiful, it’s absolutely restaurant-worthy.
And if you don’t have an air fryer? No problem—this branzino can be roasted in the oven too. Either way, you’ll get that golden skin and tender, flaky fish… without paying a premium at a restaurant. It’s a feel-good, taste-amazing kind of meal that anyone can make at home.
Air Fryer Branzino Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer (6–8 qt recommended)
- Parchment Paper
- Serving Platter
Ingredients
- 1 whole branzino scaled, cleaned, and gutted (leave whole with head and tail); about 1.5 lbs in size
- Sea salt all over and inside the cavity
- Light black pepper optional
- 1 lemon sliced – gives aromatic and freshness while cooking
- ¼ onion sliced – gives aromatic and freshness while cooking
- olive oil Light drizzle of olive oil on both sides
Simple Lemon-Olive Oil Sauce for Drizzling after Cooking
- Juice of half a fresh lemon
- Dash of rice vinegar
- Drizzle of good olive oil
- 1 Pinch of oregano or fresh chopped parsley
- 1 Pinch Optional: thin-sliced scallions and a touch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (about 5 minutes).
- Prep the fish: Pat the branzino dry with paper towels.Make two shallow diagonal slices on each side of the fish to help it cook evenly.Rub sea salt all over the skin and inside the cavity. Add a very light sprinkle of black pepper if using. Place sliced lemon and onion inside the cavity.Drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil all over the skin.1 whole branzino
- Place on the parchment paper.Sea salt, Light black pepper, 1 lemon, ¼ onion, olive oil
- Place fish in the air fryer and Cook at 400°F for 8 minutes on one side.
- Flip carefully with tongs, and cook for another 8 minutes.
- Flip again, and air fry for a final 3 minutes.
- Optional: Air fryer broil or max crisp mode for 1–2 minutes to get the skin extra golden.
- Remove and rest: Take the fish out, remove the lemon and onion, and place the fish on a platter.Drizzle lemon juice with olive oil mixture over the branzino and add any additional garnish or sauce of your choice. Serve and Enjoy!Juice of half a fresh lemon, Dash of rice vinegar, Drizzle of good olive oil, 1 Pinch of oregano or fresh chopped parsley, 1 Pinch Optional: thin-sliced scallions and a touch of red pepper flakes
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