Got fresh halibut ready to cook? Try this quick, simple, and flavorful recipe. Air Fryer Halibut Scampi captures all the bright, garlicky scampi flavors you love, using one of the ocean’s best-tasting firm white fish.
Air Fryer Halibut Scampi
Halibut is a favorite at top restaurants for good reason: it has a firm, meaty texture, mild flavor, and it adapts beautifully to many preparations. If you enjoy a classic beer-battered fish and chips, try it with fresh halibut sometime — the result is outstanding.
We love halibut so much we often head out to the waters off Washington state to catch our own. Truly fresh halibut, brought in just hours after being pulled from the ocean, has a texture and flavor that’s hard to beat — if you haven’t tried it, add it to your culinary bucket list.
This season promises more halibut adventures and recipes. Follow along on social media for trip highlights and quick video clips of our catches.
Get more of my Air Fryer Recipes here!
Recipe Shopping List
Here’s a simple shopping list so you know whether to stop at the store. For exact quantities, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Fresh halibut
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt
- Old Bay seasoning
- Traeger Fin-n-Feather (optional)
- White wine
- Lemon juice
Try our Air Fryer Parmesan-Crusted Halibut too!
How To Make Halibut Scampi
Below is a concise overview of the process so you know what to expect. Use the full recipe card at the end for exact measurements and cooking details.
- Cube the fish – Cut halibut into 1–1½ inch cubes so each bite cooks evenly.
- Prepare the scampi – Line a small baking dish or fashion a tin-foil tray to fit your air fryer. Place the halibut cubes inside. Pour melted butter and a little olive oil over the fish, add thinly sliced garlic, and sprinkle with salt, Old Bay, and any optional seasonings.
- Add wine and lemon – Pour in a splash of white wine and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish to brighten the flavors.
- Air fry – Cook in the air fryer at 400–425°F (204–218°C) for about 10 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Serve – Transfer to a serving dish and present with cocktail skewers or toothpicks for easy snacking. Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra lemon wedge if desired.
Try this Air Fryer Apple Crumble for dessert!
Recipe FAQ
Because fish is best fresh, try to make just enough for your meal. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1–2 days.
Reheating gently in the air fryer (a few minutes at low-to-medium heat) helps restore some texture. Avoid overheating, which can dry the fish.
Yes. Any firm white fish works well: sea bass, lingcod, swordfish, or cod will all make tasty scampi-style bites.
Love fish? Check out all our FISH RECIPES here!
More Halibut Recipes
- Halibut Ceviche
- Spicy Sous Vide Halibut Cheeks
- Grilled Halibut Collar
- Sous Vide Halibut Cheeks
- Thai Halibut Curry
- Cornmeal Crusted Halibut
- Bang Bang Halibut
- Simple Grilled Halibut Recipe
- Beer Battered Halibut and Chips
Air Fryer Halibut Scampi
This straightforward halibut recipe captures the bright garlic, butter, wine, and lemon flavors of classic scampi, adapted for the air fryer so you get quick, tender, and flavorful bites.
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh halibut fillet
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Traeger Fin-n-Feather or similar fish rub (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Make a tin foil tray sized to fit your air fryer basket.
- Cube the halibut into 1–1½ inch pieces and place them in the tray.
- Pour the melted butter and olive oil over the fish and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle the salt, Old Bay, and optional rub over the fish. Add garlic slices.
- Pour in the white wine and squeeze in the lemon juice.
- Air fry at 400–425°F (204–218°C) for about 10 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Recommended Products
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Traeger Fin & Feather Rub -
Non-stick aluminum foil (recommended for custom trays)
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Air fryer (any reputable model, size to suit your household)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 492Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 945mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 50g
Nutrition data provided here is an estimate.
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