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A colorful Fish Taco Bowl showcasing crispy breaded fish, white rice, avocado slices, red cabbage, pico de gallo, and a lime wedge.
Reda

Zesty Air-Fried Fish Taco Bowls with Chipotle Lime Crema

These vibrant Fish Taco Bowls feature crispy air-fried white fish, a refreshing cabbage slaw, creamy avocado, and a zesty chipotle lime crema, all served over fluffy cilantro-lime rice for a satisfying and healthy meal.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Mexican
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Air-Fried Fish
  • 1.5 lbs cod fillets or other firm white fish (e.g., tilapia, mahi-mahi), skinless, boneless
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
For the Cilantro-Lime Rice
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
For the Tangy Cabbage Slaw
  • 3 cups green cabbage shredded
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Chipotle Lime Crema
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1-2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced (adjust to spice preference)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp honey or agave nectar
  • Pinch salt
For Assembling the Bowls
  • 1 large avocado diced
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese crumbled (optional)
  • Lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Saucepan
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine rinsed rice, 2 cups water, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice. Keep warm.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine shredded green cabbage, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Set aside to let flavors meld.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream (or Greek yogurt), minced chipotle peppers in adobo, lime juice, honey (or agave), and a pinch of salt until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning or spice level if needed. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
  4. Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Cut fish into 1-inch wide strips or bite-sized chunks. In a medium bowl, toss the fish pieces with olive oil until lightly coated. In a small separate bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the fish and toss gently to ensure all pieces are evenly coated. Finally, sprinkle cornstarch over the seasoned fish and toss again, ensuring a light, even coating.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange fish pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish is golden brown, flaky, and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 145°F/63°C). Cooking time may vary based on fish thickness and air fryer model.
  6. Divide the cilantro-lime rice among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with a generous portion of the air-fried fish. Add a scoop of the tangy cabbage slaw, diced avocado, and a drizzle of the chipotle lime crema. Garnish with crumbled cotija cheese and a lime wedge if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra crispiness, ensure fish is patted very dry before seasoning.
The chipotle lime crema can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the fish at 400°F (200°C) for 12-18 minutes, or pan-fry it in a skillet with a little oil over medium-high heat until cooked through and lightly browned.