Air Fryer Tilapia is such a fantastic recipe because it’s a healthier alternative to traditional fried fish. By using the air fryer, you can achieve that delightful crispy texture without the need for excessive oil. It’s a guilt-free way to indulge in some delicious seafood.
Suitable for gluten free, low carb, keto, paleo, and Whole 30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
If you’re looking for a quick, healthy, and customizable seafood dish, Air Fryer Tilapia is a delightful recipe that is sure to leave you satisfied and wanting more. Plus, tilapia is readily available and affordable, and cooking tilapia in air fryer is a quick and easy way to whip up a tasty meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.
Air fryer tilapia is a straightforward recipe that requires minimal prep work and cooking time. Simply season the fillets, and in about 6 minutes you will have a wholesome and satisfying dinner on the table.
Looking for more quick seafood meals you can cook in the air fryer? Then be sure to check out my awesome Air Fryer Fish and Chips, these easy Air Fryer Salmon Patties, and these super easy Air Fryer Fish Sticks.
I love that tilapia is versatile, allowing you to experiment with various seasonings and spices to suit your taste preferences. You can pair it with a wide range of side dishes, such as steamed vegetables, rice, or even a fresh salad, making it a versatile option for any meal.
Yeap, this air fryer tilapia recipe is one the whole family will love!
Why Make This Recipe
- It’s a Healthier Option – Air frying tilapia reduces the amount of oil used compared to traditional frying methods, making it a healthy meal without compromising on taste and texture. Tilapia is also a lean source of protein that is rich in essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
- It’s Quick and Easy – Cooking tilapia in the air fryer is incredibly fast and hassle-free. It takes just a few minutes to achieve a perfectly crispy exterior and tender, flaky fish inside.
- It’s Affordable – Tilapia is widely available and relatively affordable compared to some other seafood options. Making Air Fryer Tilapia at home is a cost-effective way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal and add more fish to your diet.
Ingredient Notes
- Tilapia – Tilapia is a mild, white fish that is readily available in most fish markets or the freezer section of your local store. If you can’t find fresh tilapia fillets, substitute it with other white fish fillets like cod, haddock, or sole.
- Olive Oil – Use any light, neutral flavored oil.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice adds a refreshing tanginess to the dish, complementing the flavors of the fish. You can use lime juice as a substitute if you don’t have lemons. You can use bottled lemon juice, but the flavor isn’t as bright.
- Salt – Salt enhances the overall taste of the dish. You can reduce the salt or substitute it with a seasoning blend like garlic salt or lemon pepper.
- Ground Coriander – Ground coriander adds a subtle earthy and citrusy flavor to the tilapia. If you don’t have coriander, you can substitute it with ground cumin or a seafood seasoning blend which often contains coriander.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic powder provides a savory kick and enhances the taste of the fish. If you prefer fresh garlic, you can substitute it with minced garlic cloves.
- Parsley – Fresh parsley adds a bright and herbaceous element to the dish. If you don’t have parsley, you can substitute it with fresh cilantro or dill.
So, ready to learn how to make tilapia in air fryer? Then gather up your ingredients, and I will show you…
How To Make Air Fryer Tilapia
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F / 190 degrees C.
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Combine salt, garlic, and coriander in a small bowl.
- Brush both sides of the fish with olive oil and drizzle with lemon juice, then sprinkle one side of each fillet with the seasoning blend.
- Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6-7 minutes.
- Check for doneness and, if needed, increase the cooking time in one-minute increments until the fish is cooked through.
Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Fish should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 145 degrees F / 63 degrees C, or until the fish flakes easily.
Pro Tips
- Preheat the air fryer for best results.
- Dry the tilapia filets by patting them with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- If using frozen filets, thaw completely before cooking.
- Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. If necessary, cook in batches.
- Halfway through cooking time, flip the fillets using tongs or a spatula. This ensures that both sides get evenly crispy and golden brown.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- Use a fork to check if the fish easily flakes apart. If it’s still a bit translucent in the center, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
- Tilapia is a delicate fish, and overcooking can result in dryness.
- Garnish before serving with parsley and lemon wedges.
- Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cooking time, checking food for doneness, then adding more time. as needed.
Delicious Variations
- Add Panko – Dip the fish in beaten egg, then coat it with panko bread crumbs.
- Swap The Seasoning – Use your favorite seasoning blend. Options that work well are lemon pepper seasoning, Cajun seasoning, blackened seasoning, Greek or Mediterranean seasoning, and more.
- Marinate the Fish – Marinate the fish before cooking.
- Top with A Sauce – Top with lemon butter, bearnaise sauce, beurre blanc, or your favorite sauce before serving. I love serving it with this easy 5-Minute Remoulade Sauce.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Thaw frozen fish filets overnight in the fridge.
- Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze – Fish can be frozen for several months and thawed overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat – Reheat in the air fryer for several minutes until just warmed through. Avoid overcooking.
FAQs
Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your fish filets. In general, it will take 7-10 minutes to air fry tilapia. Begin checking for doneness at 6-7 minutes.
Fresh fish fillets are available in a lot of fish markets, but frozen fish fillets are affordable and convenient.
When using frozen tilapia, thaw it completely before cooking. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge and dry well with paper towels before you cook frozen tilapia.
This recipe works well with any white fish, so feel free to substitute with cod, haddock, sole, flounder, or catfish.
More Recipes You May Like
Want even more? Then be sure to check out my complete list of 23 Air Fryer Fish Recipes!
Serving Suggestions
Weight Watchers Points
There is just 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.
Make this a zero-point dish by replacing the oil with a no-calorie cooking spray.
Thank you for reading my AF Tilapia recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.
Get The Tilapia in Air Fryer Recipe:
Don’t forget to tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or Twitter if you try Air Fryer Recipe! It is really, really awesome for me when you make one of my recipes and I’d love to see it. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thank you for reading Recipes from a Pantry.
Air Fryer Recipe
Air Fryer Tilapia is a delicious, fast, and healthy meal.
Servings: 3
Calories: 276kcal
Instructions
-
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F / 190 degrees C.
-
Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Combine salt, garlic and coriander in a small bowl.
-
Brush both sides of the fish with olive oil and drizzle with lemon juice then sprinkle one side of each fillet with the seasoning blend.
-
Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6-7 minutes.
-
Check for doneness and, if needed, increase the cooking time in 1 minute increments until the fish is cooked through.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer for best results.
- Dry the tilapia filets by patting them with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- If using frozen filets, thaw completely before cooking.
- Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. If necessary, cook in batches.
- Halfway through cooking time, flip the fillets using tongs or a spatula. This ensures that both sides get evenly crispy and golden brown.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- Use a fork to check if the fish easily flakes apart. If it’s still a bit translucent in the center, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
- Tilapia is a delicate fish, and overcooking can result in dryness.
- Garnish before serving.
- Storage – keep leftover tilapia refrigerated in an airtight container or tightly wrapped for 3 days.
- There is 1 WW Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.
Nutrition
Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 492mg | Potassium: 619mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
