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Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe

4.6 from 111 reviews

This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe offers a quick and healthy way to enjoy perfectly seasoned, flaky fish with minimal effort. The fillets are coated with a flavorful blend of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper, then air fried to crispy, tender perfection. Served with fresh lemon wedges and optional parsley garnish, this dish is ideal for a delicious, light dinner or lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish

  • 16 oz. tilapia fillets (about 3 fillets)

Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

To Serve

  • Lemon wedges
  • Minced fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC) for 4 to 5 minutes to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
  2. Make Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, and coarse ground black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful seasoning blend.
  3. Prep Tilapia: Pat the tilapia fillets dry using a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Brush both sides of each fillet evenly with the prepared seasoning mixture.
  4. Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you may need to cook the fillets in batches to avoid overcrowding.
  5. Air Fry: Cook the tilapia fillets at 400ºF for 5 to 6 minutes. Check for doneness by ensuring the fish flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reads 145ºF (63ºC).
  6. Serve: Carefully transfer the cooked tilapia to serving plates using a fish spatula or long thin spatula. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and proper crispiness.
  • Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 145°F for safe consumption.
  • You can substitute dried thyme with dried oregano or basil according to your preference.
  • For an extra crispy texture, lightly spray the fillets with cooking spray before air frying.
  • Leftover tilapia can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Air Fryer Tilapia, Quick Fish Recipe, Healthy Tilapia, Air Fryer Fish, Low Fat Seafood