# Cod and white fish fillets cooking times

How long to cook cod: **12–15 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 8–10 min in an air fryer at 200°C, 3–4 min per side pan-fried and 8–10 min under the grill**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/cod-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook cod

Times are for fillets of about 140 g, about 2.5 cm thick.

Cod and white fish fillets: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 12–15 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | On an oiled tray or in a foil parcel with butter and lemon. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 8–10 min | 200°C (400°F) | Brushed with oil or coated in breadcrumbs. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 3–4 min per side | over a medium-high heat | In oil and butter, skin side first if it has skin. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 8–10 min | under a hot grill | On foil, brushed with butter; no need to turn. |
| [Deep-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/deep-frying-times) (Battered) | 5–7 min | oil at 180°C (350°F) | In batter, one or two pieces at a time. |
| Poach | 6–8 min | in barely simmering milk or stock | – |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) | 8–10 min | over simmering water | – |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Two fillets, with a splash of milk or water; stand for a minute. |

## Before you start

Pat dry and season. Thin fillets like plaice and sole take about half the time.

## How to tell it’s done

Opaque all the way through, flaking into big moist flakes.

**Food safety:** Fish is cooked at 63°C (145°F): the flesh turns opaque all the way through and flakes easily.

**Tip:** Frozen fillets cook from frozen: 20–25 minutes in the oven at 200°C, or 12–15 minutes in the air fryer.

## Questions

### How long to cook cod in the oven?

12–15 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. On an oiled tray or in a foil parcel with butter and lemon.

### How long to cook cod in an air fryer?

8–10 min at 200°C (400°F). Brushed with oil or coated in breadcrumbs.

### How long to pan-fry cod?

3–4 min per side over a medium-high heat. In oil and butter, skin side first if it has skin.

### How long to grill cod?

8–10 min under a hot grill. On foil, brushed with butter; no need to turn.

### How long to deep-fry cod?

Battered: 5–7 min in oil at 180°C (350°F). In batter, one or two pieces at a time.

### How long to poach cod?

6–8 min in barely simmering milk or stock.

### How long to steam cod?

8–10 min over simmering water.

### How long to microwave cod?

3–4 min on full power, covered. Two fillets, with a splash of milk or water; stand for a minute.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/