Air Fryer Tilapia

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Reader Rating
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings 4 servings

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My air fryer tilapia is a quick and foolproof dinner recipe that cooks in just 7 minutes. This tender white fish is perfect for those skeptical of seafood- just ask my family!

tilapia air fried.

Tilapia is a fish I often cook because it’s super affordable, easy to find, and mild-tasting enough that certain family members (*cough* sister *cough*) will not complain about the easy fishy flavor.

In culinary school, I learned that lean, firm fish like tilapia shine when cooked quickly at high heat. While testing this recipe, I tried several temperatures and times and discovered that 400°F for just 7 minutes gives the best results: tilapia that’s tender, flaky, and never dry. I keep the seasonings simple and brush the fish with herb butter before serving, but it’s easy to customize with your favorite spice blends or toppings- My family has several go-to combinations that I’ll share, too.

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Key Ingredients
  3. Flavor variations
  4. How to cook tilapia in the air fryer
  5. Arman’s recipe tips
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. Storage instructions
  8. More delicious air fryer seafood dinners
  9. Air Fryer Tilapia (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • Quick and easy. No marinating is needed, and the tilapia takes just a few minutes to cook. 
  • Widely available. Compared to other fish, tilapia is affordable and easy to find at most grocery stores. 
  • Fresh or frozen. I’ve tested this recipe with both fresh and frozen fillets, and it works well either way.
  • Healthy. Tilapia is a low-calorie and low-carb fish, with just 120 calories per 4-ounce serving (source).

Key Ingredients

ingredients for air fryer tilapia.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

  • Tilapia fillets. Fresh or frozen both work, but I recommend fresh when possible for the best flavor and texture. For even cooking, choose fillets that are similar in size. I usually buy mine from a local fishmonger, but they’re also easy to find in grocery stores. 
  • Salt and pepper. To taste. 
  • Smoked paprika. Adds a lovely smoky flavor. 
  • Garlic powder. Adds a subtle garlic flavor without needing to use actual garlic. 
  • Lemon juice, fresh garlic, cilantro, and butter. To brush over the freshly cooked tilapia.
  • Lemon wedges, cilantro, and parsley. To serve. 

Flavor variations

  • Spicy– Add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice mix. 
  • Cajun– Coat the fish with Cajun or keto taco seasoning
  • Blackened– Similar to my blackened tilapia recipe, rub the fillets with blackened seasoning (my recipe link has a homemade rub if you don’t have a pre-made one).
  • Teriyaki– Dredge the fillets in teriyaki sauce for ten minutes before air frying. 
  • Lemon pepper– The classic. Rub 1/2 a large juiced lemon and black peppercorns over the fish. 

How to cook tilapia in the air fryer

patting dry fish.

Step 1- Prep the fish. Pat dry the tilapia fillets.

seasoned raw tilapia fillets.

Step 2- Season. Mix the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic in a bowl, then rub it on both sides of your tilapia fillets using your hands. 

tilapia in the air fryer.

Step 3- Air fry. Add the fish to the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through.  

garlic, herbs, and melted butter.

Step 4- Make the sauce. Whisk together the butter, garlic, fresh lemon juice, and cilantro in a bowl. 

Step 5- Season and serve. Brush the sauce generously on your cooked tilapia fillets and sprinkle with more cilantro.

air fryer tilapia.

★★★★★ REVIEW

“I have done this several times since I found it. It is absolutely delicious !! Thank you!” – Nicole

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket so your tilapia cooks evenly. If needed, cook the fish in batches. As a reference, I use a Phillips XL air fryer, which comfortably fits four fillets.
  • If you are worried that the fish will stick to the basket, you can use parchment paper to line the base. I’ve also recently tried using air fryer liners, which work pretty well (the base of the fish won’t be as crispy).
  • Flip the tilapia fillets during cooking to avoid overcooking on one side. Once is more than enough.
  • Use a meat thermometer. I find the easiest way to tell if the fish is cooked is to check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Tilapia is safe to eat once the thickest part reaches 145°F (as per the FDA).

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to thaw the fish before air-frying it?

No, you can cook tilapia straight from frozen- I’ve done it plenty of times on busy weeknights. Just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the cook time, and check that it flakes easily with a fork before serving (or reaches 145°F). 

Can I use breaded tilapia?

Yes! I’ve breaded both homemade fillets and frozen breaded fillets. I recommend spraying both sides of the breaded fish with cooking spray for extra crispiness. I also suggest air frying frozen fillets for an additional 3 minutes.

tilapia in air fryer.

Storage instructions

To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to three days. 

To freeze: Place cooked and cooled tilapia can in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to two months. 

More delicious air fryer seafood dinners

air fryer tilapia recipe.

Air Fryer Tilapia

5 from 1101 votes
My air fryer tilapia is a quick, easy, and delicious dinner idea that comes together in just 7 minutes! Healthy, tender, and flavorful. Watch how I make this in my kitchen in the video below!
Servings: 4 servings
Cook: 7 minutes
Total: 7 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 4 tilapia fillets 4-6 ounces each
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic

lemon butter sauce

  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon parsley

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the basket with cooking spray. 
  • Pat dry the tilapia fillets.
  • Mix the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic and, using your hands, rub the spices over both sides of the fish.
  • Add the tilapia filets to the air fryer basket and spray the top with cooking spray. Air fry for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • While the fish is cooking, make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, lemon juice and parsley. 
  • Brush the lemon butter sauce generously over the top of the fish fillets and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Frozen tilapia: Cook from frozen, but add an extra 2-3 minutes (until the fish flakes easily with a fork).
  • Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for 3 days or in the freezer for 2 months.
  • Reheating: Either microwave the fish for 20-30 seconds or reheat in the air fryer for 2 minutes, until crispy around the edges. 
  •  

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 28gFat: 8gSodium: 471mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 441IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, culinary school graduate, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

5 from 1101 votes (1,045 ratings without comment)

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  1. 5 stars
    Came out very good, the butter lemon sauce was excellent. Next time I will try it with some of your taco seasoning, I still have some in the cupboard from one of your other recipes.