Dive into a delightful culinary experience with these air fried fish po boys. This recipe brings a healthier twist to the classic New Orleans sandwich, featuring crispy, golden fish fillets nestled in a soft hoagie roll, topped with fresh vegetables and a zesty spicy mayo.
If you're planning to make this recipe, you might need to pick up a few specific items from the supermarket. Cajun seasoning is essential for giving the fish its signature flavor, and hoagie rolls are the perfect bread choice for this sandwich. Additionally, make sure you have mayonnaise and hot sauce on hand to create the spicy mayo that ties everything together.

Ingredients For Air Fried Fish Po Boys
Fish fillets: Choose white fish fillets such as cod or tilapia for a mild flavor and flaky texture.
Breadcrumbs: These will create a crispy coating for the fish when air fried.
Cajun seasoning: Adds a spicy, flavorful kick to the fish.
Eggs: Used to help the breadcrumbs adhere to the fish fillets.
Hoagie rolls: Soft, split rolls that hold all the delicious fillings.
Lettuce: Shredded for a fresh, crunchy topping.
Tomato: Sliced to add juiciness and flavor to the sandwich.
Mayonnaise: Forms the base of the spicy mayo.
Hot sauce: Mixed with mayonnaise to create a zesty, spicy spread.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When coating the fish fillets with the breadcrumb mixture, ensure to press the crumbs firmly onto the fish to create a thicker, more even crust. This helps achieve a crispier texture when air frying. Additionally, for an extra layer of flavor, you can add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika to the breadcrumb mixture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cod or tilapia white fish fillets - Substitute with catfish fillets: Catfish has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a great alternative for a po' boy sandwich.
breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter, crispier coating which works well in an air fryer.
cajun seasoning - Substitute with Old Bay seasoning: Old Bay offers a similar blend of spices that can provide a comparable flavor profile.
beaten eggs - Substitute with buttermilk: Buttermilk can help the breadcrumbs adhere to the fish and adds a slight tanginess.
hoagie rolls - Substitute with French baguettes: French baguettes have a similar texture and can hold the fillings well.
shredded lettuce - Substitute with shredded cabbage: Shredded cabbage provides a similar crunch and can hold up better to the heat of the fish.
sliced tomato - Substitute with sliced pickles: Sliced pickles add a tangy crunch that complements the flavors of the po' boy.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture with fewer calories and a slight tang.
hot sauce - Substitute with sriracha: Sriracha offers a similar heat level with a bit of garlic flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How To Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the fish fillets to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the breadcrumbs soggy.
Wrap each fish fillet individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps maintain their crispiness and prevents them from sticking together.
Place the wrapped fish fillets in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
Store the hoagie rolls separately in a bread box or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature. If you need to store them for longer, consider freezing them.
For freezing, place the wrapped fish fillets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or airtight container. This method prevents them from sticking together.
To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen fish fillets in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
Store the spicy mayo in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for up to a week. Stir well before using.
Keep the shredded lettuce and sliced tomato in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Use within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
When ready to assemble, reheat the fish fillets and hoagie rolls, then layer with the spicy mayo, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomato for a fresh and delicious fish po boy.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover fish fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-15 minutes until they are heated through and crispy again.
- Alternatively, use your air fryer to reheat the fish fillets. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the fillets for 3-5 minutes until they regain their crispiness.
- For the hoagie rolls, wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for the last 5 minutes of reheating the fish fillets. This will warm them without making them too crispy.
- If you prefer a microwave, place the fish fillets on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they don’t become rubbery.
- To reheat the spicy mayo, simply let it come to room temperature or give it a quick stir. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the texture.
- Reassemble your po boys by spreading the spicy mayo on the warmed hoagie rolls, then layer with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, and the reheated fish fillets. Enjoy your revived sandwich!
Best Tools for Making This Recipe
Air fryer: Used to cook the fish fillets to a golden and crispy texture without deep frying.
Shallow dish: Used to mix the breadcrumbs and cajun seasoning for coating the fish fillets.
Mixing bowl: Used to beat the eggs for dipping the fish fillets.
Small bowl: Used to mix the mayonnaise and hot sauce to create the spicy mayo.
Spatula: Used to spread the spicy mayo on the hoagie rolls.
Knife: Used to slice the tomato.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for slicing the tomato.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and shredded lettuce.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the cajun seasoning and hot sauce.
Tongs: Used to handle the fish fillets when placing them in and removing them from the air fryer.
Hoagie rolls: Used as the bread for the po boys.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Preheat while prepping: Preheat your air fryer while you prepare the fish fillets to save time.
Use pre-shredded lettuce: Opt for pre-shredded lettuce to cut down on prep time.
Make sauce ahead: Mix the mayonnaise and hot sauce in advance and store it in the fridge.
Batch cook: Cook multiple fish fillets at once if your air fryer basket is large enough.
Prep ingredients: Have all your ingredients like hoagie rolls, tomatoes, and lettuce ready before you start cooking.

Air Fried Fish Po Boys
Ingredients
Fish
- 4 fillets White fish fillets such as cod or tilapia
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 units Eggs beaten
- 4 units Hoagie rolls split
- 1 cup Shredded lettuce
- 1 unit Tomato sliced
- 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix breadcrumbs and Cajun seasoning in a shallow dish.
- Dip each fish fillet into the beaten eggs, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the coated fish fillets in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- While the fish is cooking, mix mayonnaise and hot sauce in a small bowl.
- Spread the spicy mayo on the hoagie rolls, then layer with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, and the cooked fish fillets.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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