Let’s be real—getting kids to eat seafood can feel like a hostage negotiation. But here’s the good news: these kid-friendly air fryer seafood recipes for Lent are crispy, flavorful, and fun enough that even picky eaters usually ask for seconds.
Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners or meatless Friday ideas, this list has you covered. And don’t forget to rotate meals with:
- 12 Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes for Meatless Fridays – for juicy, kid-approved shrimp.
- 10 Easy Air Fryer Fish Recipes Perfect for Lent – flaky, crispy, and simple.
- 15 Vegetarian Air Fryer Meals for Lent – hearty, plant-based options.
- 8 Air Fryer Salmon Recipes That Feel Gourmet – when you want a slightly fancy fish night.
1. Crispy Air Fryer Fish Sticks
Why it’s awesome: Classic comfort food without the deep fryer disaster.
Ingredients
- White fish fillets (cod, pollock, or tilapia)
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Flour
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Cut fish into sticks.
- Dip in flour, then egg, then panko.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Why You’ll Love It
Golden, crunchy, and perfect for dipping in ketchup or tartar sauce. Even the most skeptical kid usually goes back for seconds.
2. Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp
Why it’s awesome: Juicy, buttery, and super easy.
Ingredients
- Shrimp (peeled & deveined)
- Butter
- Garlic (minced)
- Lemon juice
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Toss shrimp with melted butter, garlic, and lemon.
- Air fry at 390°F for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway.
Why You’ll Love It
Fast, flavorful, and perfect over rice. Bonus: pairs perfectly with vegetarian Lent meals when you’re rotating proteins.
3. Air Fryer Parmesan-Crusted Fish
Why it’s awesome: Crispy, cheesy, and irresistible.
Ingredients
- Fish fillets
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Eggs
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Dip fish in egg, then coat with panko and parmesan.
- Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Why You’ll Love It
Kids love cheese, so this is basically a no-fail dinner. Also pairs beautifully with Air Fryer Salmon Recipes for Lent if you want variety.
4. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Why it’s awesome: Crunchy, slightly sweet, and fun for dipping.
Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Shredded coconut
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
Instructions
- Dip shrimp in egg, then coat with coconut and panko.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect for little hands and pairs with sweet chili sauce for extra yum.
5. Mini Air Fryer Salmon Cakes
Why it’s awesome: Bite-sized, protein-packed, and fun to eat.
Ingredients
- Cooked salmon (flaked)
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Diced onion
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients and form into small patties.
- Air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping once.
Why You’ll Love It
These are great for kids who don’t like the look of whole fillets. They taste like little nuggets of happiness.
6. Air Fryer Fish Tacos (Kid Version)
Why it’s awesome: Tiny tacos, big flavor.
Ingredients
- White fish fillets
- Taco seasoning
- Small tortillas
- Shredded cabbage
- Mild crema or yogurt
Instructions
- Season fish with taco spices and air fry at 390°F for 8 minutes.
- Flake fish and assemble tacos with cabbage and crema.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect for picky eaters—you can hide veggies in the slaw without complaints.
7. Cheesy Air Fryer Fish Bites
Why it’s awesome: Crispy, cheesy, and snackable.
Ingredients
- Fish fillets
- Breadcrumbs
- Shredded cheese
- Eggs
Instructions
- Cut fish into bite-sized pieces.
- Dip in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs and cheese.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8–9 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Snackable, kid-friendly, and perfect with ketchup or tartar sauce.
8. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Shrimp
Why it’s awesome: Light, zesty, and perfect for smaller appetites.
Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Olive oil
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Lemon zest
Instructions
- Toss shrimp in olive oil and seasoning.
- Air fry at 380°F for 6–7 minutes.
- Finish with fresh lemon zest.
Why You’ll Love It
Bright, fresh flavors that even the pickiest eaters usually tolerate happily.
9. Air Fryer Breaded Pollock Nuggets
Why it’s awesome: Crispy nuggets for little hands.
Ingredients
- Pollock fillets
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Cut fish into small nuggets.
- Dip in egg, then coat with panko.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Golden, crunchy, and perfect for dipping in ketchup—basically a kid-approved classic.
10. Air Fryer Fish and Veggie Patties
Why it’s awesome: Sneak in veggies without complaints.
Ingredients
- Fish fillets (cooked & flaked)
- Finely chopped carrots, zucchini, or peas
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients and form small patties.
- Air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Hidden veggies, golden crispy edges, and an easy protein boost for Lent dinners.
Final Thoughts
With these 10 Kid-Friendly Air Fryer Seafood Recipes for Lent, seafood can finally be fun, easy, and stress-free. Between shrimp, fish, salmon, and vegetarian options, you’ll have your meatless Fridays—and weeknight dinners—completely covered.
No more dinnertime battles, just crispy, flavorful seafood that your kids (and maybe even you) will love. 😄
