12-Min Air Fryer Mackerel with Lemon (£3.5 Healthy)
Perfectly cooked air fryer mackerel with lemon—crispy skin, tender flesh, and no fishy smell. Healthy and budget-friendly at £3.5!
Watch Me Make It
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Ingredients
- ✓ 140 g mackerel
- ✓ 5 ml rice wine
- ✓ 1 g sea salt
- ✓ 2 g black pepper
- ✓ as needed lemon slices
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Instructions
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Pat the mackerel dry with kitchen paper. Score the skin lightly on both sides to help it cook evenly and absorb seasoning. Rub with rice wine, sea salt, and black pepper. Let marinate for about 20 minutes to reduce any fishy aroma and enhance flavor.
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Arrange lemon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket to create a natural rack. Place the mackerel on top, skin-side up, allowing the lemon to prevent sticking and infuse subtle citrus fragrance.
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Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping carefully after 7 minutes to ensure even cooking. The skin should be lightly crisp and the flesh tender and flaky. Serve immediately with extra lemon if desired.
💡 Chef's Tips
- Always pat the fish dry before seasoning—excess moisture prevents crisp skin.
- Scoring helps the heat penetrate evenly and reduces curling during cooking.
- Lemon slices not only prevent sticking but also naturally deodorize the fish.
- Do not overcook; mackerel is best when just cooked through and still moist inside.