Air-Fryer Sea Bass With Dilly Potato Chip Crust

Name: Air-Fryer Sea Bass With Dilly Potato Chip Crust
Total time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 Servings
Ingredients: 2 garlic cloves, finely grated; ⅔ cup mayonnaise; 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar; 1 Tbsp. chopped dill, plus more; Kosher salt; 2 6-oz. fillets skinless sea bass, cod, or other flaky white fish; Freshly ground pepper; 1½ cups thin potato chips (not kettle-cooked); Nonstick olive oil spray (for basket); Lemon wedges (for serving)

By Leslie Raney Garetto

February 11, 2025

Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco

This simple fish dish proves you don’t need a deep fryer (or even an oven!) to create a crisp, golden brown, flavorful coating; a smart mix of mayo and potato chips will do the trick, with the help of a countertop air fryer. Delicate, buttery white fish like sea bass or cod cooks quickly, in just the same amount of time it takes your doctored-up mayo topping—flavored with dill, lemon, and garlic, along with the crushed potato chips—to transform into a salty, nostalgic-feeling crush with just the right amount of crunch. Extra dressed-up mayonnaise (without the chips) is reserved as a dipping sauce. Serve the finished fish with roasted broccoli, sautéed green beans, or on top of a salad.

When choosing your fish, ask your fishmonger for a thinner cut (closer to the tail) to ensure a crispy bite in every forkful. I recommend using thin potato chips instead of kettle-cooked for a finer crumb and a more even, satisfying crust.

Recipe notes

Steamed Fish With Potatoes and Anchovy Butter

Steamed fish with potatoes get drenched in a flavorful brown butter infused with anchovies and chives for a bistro-like meal that comes together in no time.

Crispy Salmon With Avocado Sauce

You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.

Salmon With Sizzled Nut Salsa

A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.

Beet-Salmon Salad With Horseradish Yogurt

Cooked beets, flaked salmon, and an array of crunchy vegetables crown a bed of spicy horseradish yogurt in this hearty salad.

Soy-Glazed Salmon Bowls

Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.

Smoked Salmon Pasta With Capers and Dill

Cured fish, cream, and lemon make an elegant base for this unexpected one-pot pasta.

Saucy, Spiced Shrimp and White Beans

Dive into this shareable skillet with warm flatbread.

Turmeric-Dill Shrimp Stir-Fry

This quick shrimp stir-fry pairs earthy turmeric with a plethora of dill for a flavorful and fresh dinner that comes together in a flash.