Perfectly seasoned and cooked, it is so easy to make tilapia in an air fryer. It takes so little time to prepare, and once it’s in the air fryer, you’re free to work on your sides for dinner. Unlike some other methods, this recipe is still crispy while being much healthier as it uses less oil and there’s no splatter to clean up.
It takes 10 minutes or less to air fry, and you’ll have perfectly flaky fish every single time. It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or effort to make this tilapia recipe, and it’s a great recipe to try if you’re trying to introduce more fish into your daily diet. Feel free to use fresh or frozen fillets for this air fryer recipe! I love serving the tilapia up with my mushroom rice recipe or my cilantro rice recipe to turn this into a full dinner.
Key Ingredients You Need
- Seasoning — I use a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper but feel free to use your favorite seasoning blend.
- Tilapia — Tilapia has a very mild flavor, so it’s perfect for anyone who’s worried about a strong fishy taste. It takes on the flavor of your seasoning really well and is quite budget-friendly. Make sure the flesh is translucent white or ivory when buying fresh tilapia.
How to Make Air Fryer Tilapia
Step 1: In a small bowl, mix the spices and set them aside.
Step 2: Place the tilapia fillets on a large plate and rub or spray both sides with olive oil.
Step 3: Season the fillets on both sides with the seasoning from earlier.
Step 4: Transfer the fillets to the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap.
Step 5: Air fry the tilapia at 400F for 8 to 10 minutes or until the skin of the tilapia has become flakey.
Step 6: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Tips For This Recipe
- Ideally, if you can find wild-caught tilapia, it’s preferred over farmed tilapia but if you cannot find wild tilapia, try to purchase farmed fish from the United States or Canada for the best quality.
- I don’t recommend flipping the tilapia as it cooks. You risk breaking the delicate fish if you flip it at the halfway point. However, the air fryer will allow for browning on both sides of the fish without flipping.
- If your fish was frozen beforehand, make sure to pat dry the fillets before seasoning. Doing so ensures the seasoning sticks better, and the tilapia will crisp up instead of steam in the air fryer.
- The FDA recommends tilapia cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145F.
- Avoid overlapping the fish in the air fryer basket as the overlapped areas won’t cook evenly. Air fry in batches if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
I highly recommend thawing the tilapia before air frying it. As the fish is thin, it’s easy to overcook it if you cook from frozen. However, since tilapia has a lower water content than other fish, it will be less watery and soggy if you must cook it from frozen. If you do not have time to thaw the fish, add a few extra minutes to the air fryer.
Both are great options! If you have access to a fish counter with fresh fish, then that’s great! If not, frozen fillets are just as good. Frozen tilapia is processed and frozen quickly after being caught, so you don’t lose any quality! Frozen tilapia is also easier to find. Simply thaw the fish overnight in the fridge before air frying.
Tilapia is high in Omega-3 fatty acids and is an excellent source of protein! It’s a lean, healthy, and affordable white fish that is sold at most major grocery stores. Air frying fish is also a healthier way to get fish crispy without using a ton of oil.
Leftover fish has a shorter shelf life than other recipes. Store leftover air fryer tilapia in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Tilapia tends to be quite delicate and will take on smells easily, so avoid storing it in the same container as strong-scented side dishes. Depending on the thickness, you can reheat leftover tilapia in the air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes at 400F.
IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE TRY THESE OUT!
If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe, then don’t forget to leave me a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Air Fryer Tilapia
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil I use olive oil spray
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- fresh chopped parsley
- lemon juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together the spices and set aside.
- Place the tilapia fillets on a large plate and rub or spray both sides with olive oil.
- Season the filets on both sides with the seasoning.
- Cook tilapia at 400 F for 8 to 10 minutes or until the skin of the tilapia has become flakey.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Video
Notes
- Ideally, if you can find wild-caught tilapia, it’s preferred over farmed tilapia but if you cannot find wild tilapia, try to purchase farmed fish from the United States or Canada for the best quality.
- I don’t recommend flipping the tilapia as it cooks. You risk breaking the delicate fish if you flip it at the halfway point. However, the air fryer will allow for browning on both sides of the fish without flipping.
- If your fish was frozen beforehand, make sure to pat dry the fillets before seasoning. Doing so ensures the seasoning sticks better, and the fish will crisp up instead of steam in the air fryer.
- The FDA recommends tilapia cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145F.
- Avoid overlapping the fish in the air fryer basket as the overlapped areas won’t cook evenly. Air fry in batches if needed.
This was fabulous. So easy yet delicious. Both my daughter and husband loved it. Will definitely be making over and over.
I’m so happy to hear that you loved this recipe! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
This came out great! Definitely a keeper!
So great to hear thanks Jia!
Really great recipe! Tilapia was cooked perfectly and well seasoned!
Glad to hear it Sherrie, thanks for letting me know!
Did you pre-heat the air fryer?
Hi Beth- I don't usually pre-heat my air fryer and I always have good results.