Bacalhau Assado in the Air FryerRoast Salt Cod
A thick loin of salt cod roasted in the air fryer with olive oil, garlic and onions, served with punched potatoes. Christmas Eve's dish, made on any weeknight.
By Mesa de Portugal Kitchen · Updated
Bacalhau assado is the dish many Portuguese families eat on Christmas Eve: a thick piece of salt cod, roasted until it flakes into big, glossy layers, with onions, garlic and potatoes all swimming in olive oil.
In the air fryer, a thick loin cooks in under 20 minutes. Use a dual-basket model to do the batatas a murro at the same time.
Bacalhau Assado in the Air FryerRoast Salt Cod
A thick loin of salt cod roasted in the air fryer with olive oil, garlic and onions, served with punched potatoes. Christmas Eve's dish, made on any weeknight.
Ingredients
- 2 thick salt cod loins (lombos), about 250 g each after soaking
- 1 onion, sliced into rings
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sweet paprika (optional)
- Chopped parsley
- Batatas a murro to serve
Method
- Soak the cod for 36–48 hours, changing the water 3–4 times (see how to soak bacalhau). Pat it dry.
- Put the onion rings in a small ovenproof dish that fits in your air fryer, and lay the cod on top.
- Pour over 3 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.
- Air fry at 190 °C for 15–18 minutes, basting with the oil halfway, until the cod flakes easily.
- Meanwhile, warm the remaining olive oil with the garlic in a small pan for 3–4 minutes.
- Pour the hot garlic oil over the cod, scatter with parsley and serve with batatas a murro and boiled greens.
Notes
Tap ingredients and steps to tick them off. Scaling changes the quantities at the start of each line; check the rest by eye.
On Christmas Eve
The traditional Consoada dinner is simpler: boiled cod, boiled potatoes, boiled cabbage and eggs, all drizzled with olive oil. Roasting is how many families serve the leftovers the next day.
Bacalhau Assado
ba-ka-LYOW a-SAH-doo
- o bacalhauoo ba-ka-LYOWsalt cod
- o azeiteoo a-ZAY-t'olive oil
- o alhooo AH-lyoogarlic
- a cebolaa s'-BOH-laonion
What you’ll need
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Ninja Foodi 8 Qt DualZone Air Fryer
Two drawers that finish together: bacalhau in one, batatas a murro in the other. Ideal for Portuguese meals, which are usually a main plus a side.
Tip: Use the sync-finish button so both drawers are ready at the same moment.
Algarve sea salt
Sea salt from the Algarve salt pans, for coarse-salt roasting batatas a murro and for finishing grilled fish.
Tip: A little goes a long way. Use it for finishing, not boiling water.
Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage dinner plates, set of 2
The famous green cabbage-leaf plates, handmade in Caldas da Rainha. They turn a weeknight bacalhau into a feast.
Tip: Handwash to keep the glaze bright for decades.
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Portuguese punched potatoes made in the air fryer: salt-crusted skins, a fluffy middle and plenty of garlic olive oil. The classic partner for bacalhau.