Air Fryer · fresh
How long to cook swordfish in an air fryer
At 380 °F (193 °C) for 10 minutes, flip once at 5 minutes.
At-a-glance cooking parameters
- Temperature
- 380 °F
- 193 °C
- Total time
- 10 min
- per single layer
- Flip at
- 5 min
- flip once
- Internal temp
- 145 °F
- 63 °C
A swordfish steak air-fries at 380 °F (193 °C) for about 10 minutes, flipping once halfway, until it flakes and reaches 145 °F (63 °C). It's a firm, meaty fish, so it holds up well to the basket — brush with oil and lemon and don't overcook, or it turns dry.
Per serving
Approximate values for a single portion of swordfish (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).
- Calories
- 195 kcal
- Protein
- 27 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 0 g
Swordfish in popular air fryer brands
Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.
| Brand | Temp | Time | Flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosoribasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 10 min | flip at 5 min |
| Ninjabasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 9 min | flip at 5 min |
| Instant Vortexbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 10 min | flip at 5 min |
| Philips Airfryerbasket | 370 °F(188 °C) | 10 min | flip at 5 min |
| PowerXLbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 10 min | flip at 5 min |
| Brevilleoven | 365 °F(185 °C) | 11 min | flip at 5 min |
| Cuisinartoven | 370 °F(188 °C) | 11 min | flip at 5 min |
| Chefmanbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 10 min | flip at 5 min |
| GoWisebasket | 375 °F(191 °C) | 10 min | flip at 5 min |
How to tell it’s done
The flesh turns opaque and flakes with gentle pressure at 145 °F (63 °C). A translucent center needs more time; dry, stringy texture means it went too far.
Internal temperature: 145 °F / 63 °C. Always verify with an instant-read thermometer.
Step-by-step method
- 1
Prep
Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Brush with oil and lemon so the surface doesn't dry out.
- 2
Season
Season with salt, black pepper, garlic, lemon, parsley.
- 3
Load
Arrange 2 steaks (about 6 oz each) in a single layer. for best convection airflow.
- 4
Cook
Set the air fryer to 380 °F (193 °C) and cook for 10 minutes total, flipping once at 5 minutes.
- 5
Check & rest
Verify the internal temperature reaches 145 °F / 63 °C and rest 2–3 minutes before serving.
- 6
Store
Refrigerate up to 2 days; best eaten fresh.
Watch out for
- Swordfish dries out fast — pull it right at 145 °F.
- Pat dry and oil lightly so it browns instead of steaming.
- Cook in a single layer with space between steaks.
- Let it rest a minute before serving.
FAQ about swordfish in an air fryer
- What temperature should I cook swordfish at in an air fryer?
- Cook swordfish at 380 °F (193 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the centre evenly while still browning the surface.
- How long does swordfish take in an air fryer?
- Swordfish takes 10 minutes total at 380 °F (193 °C). Flip the food once at 5 minutes so both sides cook evenly.
- Do you need to flip swordfish in an air fryer?
- Yes — flip swordfish once at 5 minutes. The side touching the basket grate develops a darker, more crusted surface; flipping evens out the cook so both sides match.
- Do you need to preheat the air fryer for swordfish?
- Preheating is optional for swordfish — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.
- What internal temperature is swordfish safe to eat?
- Swordfish should reach an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C) measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Visual checks alone are not a reliable substitute for protein — always confirm with a probe.