Air Fryer Tilapia

Name: Air Fryer Tilapia
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 fresh tilapia filets; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon cracked pepper; Parsley (for garnish); Lemon wedges (for serving)

Easy, healthy air fryer tilapia is a dish that you can get on the table in about 15 minutes! Perfectly cooked fish in no time!

Overhead view of air fried tilapia on a white plate.

Did you know that fish is one of the healthiest sources of protein? And tilapia is one of the more economical choices when it comes to white fish – plus it’s easy to find in most any grocery store and beyond simple to cook in the air fryer!

We’re always trying to incorporate more seafood into our diet and the air fryer has made it a lot easier on us. With recipes like air fryer scallops, air fryer frozen shrimp, and yes – even air fryer fish sticks – it’s been so easy to get our seafood fix!

Tilapia is a light, white fish with a mild flavor (not too fishy) that can cook quickly with very little effort. That is a big reason that it is so popular!

We’re keeping this recipe very simple with our favorite blend of seasonings and a simple squeeze of lemon to brighten things up. All in all, this recipe is so easy and so fast, you can make it any night of the week and get a healthy, flavorful meal on the table for your family.

Table of Contents

Ingredient Notes:

Tilapia ingredients spread out on a countertop.

Fish– We used fresh precut tilapia filets. These are readily available from your supermarket. Many people find convenience in frozen filets. No problem, if you want to use those instead just thaw them ahead of time!

Seasonings– Our go to seasoning blend: a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. It’s good on everything!

How to Make Tilapia in an Air Fryer:

Season the fish– Drizzle your tilapia with olive oil and rub both sides of the filets coating them in oil. Sprinkle the spices over your fish and rub the filets to coat both sides of the filets in the seasoning.

Raw tilapia seasoned on a cutting board.

Air fry the fish – Spritz the basket of your air fryer with oil and place the fish in your basket, leaving space for air to flow. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes and flip the filets half way through cooking. When it is fully cooked the fish should easily flake apart with a fork.

Seasoned tilapia cooking in an air fryer.

Serve – We like to give our fish a little squeeze of lemon juice just before serving. It brightens up the flavors nicely. Serve over rice or with a nice side salad. Our air fryer frozen broccoli is a nice, light side dish that goes great with tilapia, right along with our air fryer carrots!

Helpful Tips:

You’ll likely need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Place cooked fish on a plate and cover with foil while the remaining fish is cooking. It will stay warm and moist while you’re waiting.

Feel free to swap out the seasoning blends for whatever you prefer – Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or a bit of Old Bay are perfect on our air fryer tilapia.

Cooking times may vary a bit and will be reduced if the air fryer is already preheated. The FDA recommends cooking fish to 145 degrees internally. The fish should easily flake apart when cooked through.

FAQ:

What temperature do you air fryer fish?

You’ll want to air fry your tilapia filets at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the fish easily flakes apart with a fork. We recommend flipping the fish halfway through cooking.

What temperature should tilapia be cooked to?

The FDA recommends that finfish, such as tilapia, be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

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