Prepare the Fish: Begin by patting your fish fillets thoroughly dry with kitchen paper. This is a crucial step for achieving that lovely crisp crust. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. You’ll notice the fish feeling firmer to the touch after patting dry, ready for coating.

Set Up Your Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow dishes. In the first, place the plain flour. In the second, whisk the beaten eggs. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried dill (if using). Give the breadcrumb mixture a good stir to ensure all the spices are evenly distributed; you'll see a vibrant, orangey hue developing.

Coat the Fish: Take one fish fillet and dredge it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. It should feel lightly coated, not caked. Next, dip it into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the fillet firmly into the seasoned panko breadcrumbs, ensuring it's fully coated on all sides. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the fish so they adhere well – you'll feel the texture become rough and craggy. Repeat this process for all remaining fillets.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for about 5 minutes. This ensures even cooking and a quicker crisping process from the moment the fish enters. You might hear the fan whirring and feel the basket becoming warm to the touch.

Air Fry the Fish: Lightly brush or spray the coated fish fillets with a little olive oil. This helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown crisp. Place the fillets in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Close the drawer and cook for 6-8 minutes.

Flip and Finish: Carefully open the air fryer basket. You should see the breading turning a lovely golden colour, and you might hear a gentle sizzling sound. Flip the fillets over and cook for another 6-10 minutes, or until the fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork. The crust will be deeply golden-brown and delightfully crispy to the touch, and a wonderful aroma of cooked fish and spices will fill your kitchen.

Serve: Once cooked, remove the Air Fryer Fish Fillets immediately and serve hot with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Friends always ask me for this recipe after trying it at dinner parties, and it’s truly because of that perfect crisp!