This Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe is simple, quick and delicious! A healthy dinner the entire family will enjoy! A perfect dinner option for busy weeknights!
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Why We Love This Air Fryer Tilapia
- So simple to make with only a few ingredients: tilapia fillets and seasonings.
- Fish is done and ready to eat in less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- A healthy meal item that you can feel good about serving.
- Delicious family friendly recipe that everyone is going to enjoy!
Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe Ingredients
- Tilapia Fillets
- Lemon Pepper
- Dried Parsley
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Salt
- Olive Oil
Substitution Suggestions
- Tilapia Filets: Other types of fish like cod, sole, and halibut filets also works well with this recipe. Tilapia has a mild flavor and is budget friendly, but those other suggestions work well too.
- Olive Oil: I prefer olive oil, but you can use any neutral oil like avocado, grapeseed or canola.
- Seasonings: A great option would be to use your favorite! If you have a favorite seasoning blend for fish or even chicken, give it a try! Some ideas would be: Italian seasoning, Blackened, Old Bay or a Cajun seasoning. If you like a super simple seasoning, just use some good ole salt and black pepper.
This delicious air fryer fish recipe is an easy way to serve your whole family an enjoyable and delicious dinner.
How to Make Air Fryer Tilapia
- First, make sure the tilapia fish fillets are thawed if using frozen.
- In a small bowl mix together the seasonings: lemon pepper, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
- Next, pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels.
- Brush or rub olive oil on one side of the fillets and then sprinkle with the seasoning mixture. Pat or gently rub the seasoning blend into the oil.
- Flip the fillets over and repeat with the olive oil and seasonings.
How Long to Cook Tilapia in Air Fryer
- Spray the bottom of the basket of the air fryer with some olive oil cooking spray.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place 2-3 tilapia filets in a single layer in the preheated air fryer, depending on the size of your air fryer basket or shelf and being careful not to overcrowd.
- Air fry fish for 6 minutes until flakey. Depending on thickness it may need more time. 6 minutes is perfect for a 4 ounce fillet. The best way to make sure the fish is done is to use a meat thermometer and insert it in the thickest part of the fillet. The internal temperature should be at least 145°F.
- Carefully remove tilapia fillets from air fryer and repeat with remaining fish fillets.
- Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top, serve with extra lemon wedges and enjoy!!!
Want to try a breaded crispy version of my air fryer tilapia? Try this delicious recipe for Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Tilapia
You can keep the meal light and serve a delicious side salad with all your favorite salad toppings. Or you can make it more hearty and comforting and serve it with some of our favorite side dishes.
- Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Cauliflower Cheese Casserole
Storing Air Fryer Tilapia
Storing: Store any leftover tilapia in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in a freezer safe container or zip top bag in freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat the leftover fish in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes. It can also be reheated in the microwave. To reheat from frozen, place the frozen cooked filets in the air fryer at 400°F and air fry for 4-5 minutes. Check to see if they are warmed through, if needed air fryer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Air Fryer Tilapia Tips
- Pat the fish filets dry. Don't skip this step. Removing the access moisture helps the olive oil and seasonings adhere to the fish.
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or my preference, olive oil spray. This helps reduce any risk of the fish sticking to the basket.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or shelf. The fish will cook unevenly if crowded.
- If your fish fillets are larger than 4 ounces, you will need to add 2-4 minutes to the cooking time.
- No need to flip the fish for this recipe! It will stay together a lot better if there is no flipping.
FAQs About Air Fryer Tilapia
For this recipe a 4-6 ounce tilapia fillet will take around 6-10 minutes at 400°F all depending on the thickness of each fillet.
I personally love using my air fryer to cook fish. The air fryer circulates hot air evenly around the fish making it nice and crisp and cooking it quickly. No need for a pot of hot oil when you have an air fryer!
Tilapia and other fish types should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part of the fish.
I like to air fry fish at 400°F. This temperature is good because it is hot enough to create a perfect crisp exterior but not too hot to burn the outside before the inside cooks through.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Tilapia fillets, 4 oz each
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teasponn dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- First, make sure the tilapia fish fillets are thawed if using frozen.
- In a small bowl mix together the seasonings: lemon pepper, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
- Next, pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels.
- Brush or rub olive oil on one side of the fillets and then sprinkle with the seasoning mixture. Pat or gently rub the seasoning blend into the oil.
- Flip the fillets over and repeat with the olive oil and seasonings.
- Place 2-3 fillets in the air fryer, depending on how large your basket or shelf is being careful not to overcrowd.
- Air fry fish for 6 minutes until flakey. Depending on thickness it may need more time. 6 minutes is perfect for a 4 ounce fillet. The best way to make sure the fish is done is to use a meat thermometer and insert it in the thickest part of the fillet. The internal temperature should be at least 145°F.
- Carefully remove tilapia fillets from air fryer and repeat with remaining fish fillets.
- Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top, serve with extra lemon wedges and enjoy!!
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