Air fryer crispy chorizo and fish bake- delicious 1 hour meal!

in Food & Drink by nieve
Air fryer crispy chorizo and fish bake- delicious 1 hour meal!

A rich and generous fish bake, brought to life with the bold flavours of smoky, crisp chorizo and a vibrant tomato-based sauce. This comforting dish is both hearty and satisfying, making it an ideal solo meal that's quick and easy to prepare. Each bite is packed with tender fish fillets that soak up the spiced tomato sauce, while the chorizo crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, adding irresistible texture and depth of flavour.

Perfect served with a chunk of warm, crusty bread — ideal for mopping up every last bit of the rich, savoury sauce — this dish feels indulgent yet balanced. Whether you’re cooking for yourself after a long day or simply looking for a fuss-free dinner, this one hits the spot.

Part of a specially designed air fryer meal plan for one, this dish is a great option for those wanting flavourful meals without a lot of prep or cleanup. It takes just 30 minutes to prepare, with an additional 10 to 30 minutes of cooking time in the air fryer, depending on your model and portion size. That means you can have this delicious, home-cooked meal on the table in under an hour — with minimal effort.

Nutritional Information (per serving, excluding optional bread):

  • Energy: 686 kcal

  • Protein: 51.6g

  • Carbohydrates: 36.5g of which sugars: 23.1g

  • Fat: 33.5g of which saturates: 5.8g

  • Fibre: 15.8g

  • Salt: 1.13g

This Air Fryer Crispy Chorizo and Fish Bake is a flavourful, nutritious option that's sure to become a go-to favourite in your weekly rotation.

Air fryer crispy chorizo and fish bake ingredient list;

Peel and chop a medium red onion into thin wedges.
 One medium orange or yellow pepper, seeded and sliced into 2 cm (¾ inch) pieces
 One medium-sized courgette (about 175g/6oz), cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into 2cm/¾in pieces
 Two tablespoons of virgin olive oil
 One teaspoon of hot or sweet smoked paprika
 One huge clove of smashed garlic and 200g/7oz of passata
 100g/3½oz of drained canned butter beans (see tip)
 Half a teaspoon of dried oregano
 150g/5½oz thick, skinless white fish fillet, cut into 2.5cm/1in slices (cod loin, hake, or haddock, for example).
 Four thin chorizo slices (see tip)
 freshly ground black pepper and sea salt
 Serve with crusty bread and fresh parsley (optional).

Air fryer crispy chorizo and fish bake step by step instruction method;

Step 1
In a large bowl, combine the onion, pepper, and courgette with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of paprika, a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper, and a fair pinch of salt.  Mix well. In a large bowl, combine the onion, pepper, and courgette with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of paprika, a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper, and a fair pinch of salt.  Mix well.

Step 2
Without the crisper plate, place the vegetables in the drawer's bottom.  Since you'll be adding a sauce later in the recipe, it's vital to avoid using the crisper plate or any type of rack, so you can use a dish or pan that fits into your air fryer instead.  If in doubt, consult the manufacturer's instructions.  All veggies should be tender and lightly browned after 10 minutes at 200C, with the option to turn or shake after 5 minutes.

Step 3
Meanwhile, while the fish and chorizo are cooking in the air fryer, place a small saucepan over low heat and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, along with the remaining ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika and the minced garlic. Gently heat the mixture for about 20 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning and to allow the paprika to bloom, releasing its deep, smoky aroma.

Step 4
Next, pour in the passata, then add the butter beans and a generous pinch of dried oregano. Stir everything together until well combined. Increase the heat slightly to bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure the beans are warmed through and coated in the rich tomato mixture.

Step 5
Finish by seasoning to taste with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting as needed to balance the flavours. The result is a smooth, hearty tomato and butter bean sauce that perfectly complements the crispy chorizo and tender fish in the final dish. Mix the roasted veggies with the bean sauce and tomato.  Do not stir after adding the sliced chorizo and fish pieces.  Cook at 200C for another 3 minutes, or until the chorizo is crisping up and the fish is cooked.  Leave the drawer open for three to four minutes.

Step 6
If desired, top with fresh parsley after transferring to a warm shallow bowl.  Serve warm, crusty bread alongside

Air fryer crispy chorizo and fish bake recipe tips;

Any pepper colour will work well for roasting, but orange or yellow peppers go well with the rich red sauce.

You can use any type of canned beans in this recipe, but butter beans work very nicely.  Alternatively, serve with potatoes or rice and omit the beans entirely.  Bean leftovers can be refrigerated for up to a month or kept in a covered dish in the refrigerator for up to two days.

You may find passata in the grocery store among the canned tomatoes. It is often available in bottles or cartons.  Its silky texture makes it wonderful for fast sauces, which makes it perfect for recipes like this one.

 Instead of using sausage-shaped chorizo, this recipe uses the ready-sliced variety that you can buy at the grocery store with the sliced ham.  In an air fryer, it cooks rapidly and fries up beautifully.  To lighten the weight of the chorizo, insert a chunk of vegetable or a piece of fish on one side, or stack it somewhat if your air fryer has a powerful fan.

Air fryers can vary significantly in design and performance. This recipe was tested using a standard drawer-style air fryer with a 4-litre capacity, which is a common size for single or small household portions. If your air fryer operates differently — for example, if it’s a dual-drawer, oven-style, or larger-capacity model — or if it has specific temperature or fan settings, you may need to adjust the cooking times and possibly the temperature slightly to achieve the same results.

Keep an eye on your ingredients during the final stages of cooking, especially the chorizo, which should be crisp but not overdone, and ensure the fish is cooked through and flakes easily. Always refer to your air fryer’s user manual for best results with specific timings.