Air Fryer Tilapia | Flaky & Tender

This mouth-watering air fryer tilapia is a healthy dinner idea that can be made in 10 minutes! If you love the taste of tender white fish, this dish is for you!

I love using my air fryer to make new recipes. The cooking process is much faster than the oven and cleanup is super easy. Plus, fish comes out nice and crispy on the outside.

Tilapia is the ideal choice of fish for people who don’t enjoy that traditional fishy taste. It has a mild and delicate flavor that can be heightened with the right herbs and spices.

There are also many health benefits to fish, once you figure out how good it can taste. Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins (such as vitamin D and B2).

Ingredients

• Tilapia Fillets – You can use either fresh or frozen tilapia fillets for this recipe. If you’re using the frozen variety (like I did) make sure to thaw them before cooking.
• Chili powder – This is the perfect spice to add if you’re looking for a little heat. But you can also substitute chili powder for paprika.
• Garlic powder – Garlic powder is a useful spice derived from dehydrated garlic. It’s a wonderful flavor enhancement that will improve your tilapia.
• Onion powder – Similar to garlic, onion bulbs are dried and ground to form onion powder. Combining these two spices works well with white fish.
• Salt & pepper – You can always add salt and pepper to improve the taste of a meal. Just remember that salt is a seasoning and pepper is a spice.
• Parsley – Adding freshly chopped parsley is a classic partner to fish dishes. With this air fryer tilapia recipe, I like to use it at the end as a garnish.
• Lemon – Using lemon is another way to add more flavor to your tilapia. This ingredient is optional, but you can always squeeze some fresh lemon on at the end.

Instructions

Making this air fryer tilapia is quick and easy. You can scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here’s an overview of the general steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 400° F. If using frozen tilapia fillets, make sure they have thawed beforehand. Then pat dry each fillet with a paper towel to remove any excess water.

Add garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and ground pepper to a small bowl. Mix the ingredients together with a spoon to blend up your spices.

Next, gently sprinkle the spices on each fillet. Make sure to flip over and coat both sides. This will ensure that each bite will have a consistent and flavorful balance.

Once the tilapia has been seasoned to your liking, place each fillet in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 400° F.

There’s no need to flip halfway through cooking, because tilapia isn’t a very thick fish to begin with. Remove the tilapia from your air fryer before adding fresh parsley and lemon.

Related: Can You Put Parchment Paper In the Air Fryer?

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long do you cook fish in the air fryer?

Cooking fish will take anywhere from 8-12 minutes in the air fryer at 400° F. The exact amount of time really depends on how thick (or thin) the fish is. I find 10 minutes to be the sweet spot.

• What is the best temperature to cook tilapia?

400° F is the best temperature to cook tilapia and other types of white fish. This is the perfect temperature to cook at, because the fish will come out flaky and tender.

• Is fish better in the air fryer?

Yes! Tilapia and other kinds of fish are much better in the air fryer. You can get that crispy texture, without having to worry about burning the outside – like you can on a grill. Plus, it’s much easier to control the cooking temperature in the air fryer.

• Is tilapia good for you?

Tilapia is a nutritious food and it can be part of a healthy diet. This type of fish is low in calories and it has plenty of protein. For these reasons, tilapia is ideal for people who are trying to lose weight and still eat enough protein.

More Air Fryer Recipes:

• Chicken Tenders
• Crispy Broccoli
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Steak Tips