Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 5 minutes.
In a shallow bowl, combine Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
Press each fillet firmly into the Parmesan-panko mixture, coating both sides generously. If the crust doesn’t stick well, mist the fish lightly with olive oil first.
Lightly spray both sides of the coated fillets with olive oil spray.
Place fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 5-6 minutes, then carefully flip and cook another 5-6 minutes until the crust is golden and fish flakes easily.
Check for doneness: internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C), or fish should be opaque and flaky.
Serve immediately with fresh lemon juice squeezed over the fillets.
