This air fryer tilapia is brushed with butter, seasoned with spices, and cooked to perfection! A tender and flaky fish fillet that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tilapia is inexpensive, cooks in under 10 minutes, and is packed with vitamins and minerals.
- Can be enjoyed warm with lemon and tartar sauce or cold on top of a salad. A side of honey roasted carrots and creamy mashed potatoes will take it over the top!
- White-fleshed fish like tilapia have a mild flavor and can be seasoned any way you prefer.
- It’s low carb and keto-friendly.
Ingredient Notes
Tilapia – Any white-fleshed fish will work for this recipe.
Spices – I used a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Feel free to season the fish with Cajun seasoning, old bay seasoning, or the spices of your choice.
Melted Butter – Olive oil can be used as well.
Top Tips
- You can season the fish with just salt and pepper and it’ll be just as good!
- Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. and cook for 3 minutes.
- Don’t use tongs when removing the fish from the air fryer basket. The tilapia is very delicate and will fall apart. Use a fish spatula instead.
- Let the tilapia fillets sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking. Cooking cold fish straight out of the fridge will result in uneven cooking.
- Tilapia can be bland so make sure to season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
How Do You Know If Tilapia Is Done?
Tilapia is done when the flesh turns white and it flakes easily with a fork. A thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fish should read 145 degrees F.
Can I Use Frozen Tilapia?
I highly recommend thawing the tilapia fillets before cooking. If you cook frozen tilapia in the air fryer, some parts may cook unevenly and dry out.
More Fish Recipes You Might Enjoy
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Air Fryer Tilapia
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 tilapia fillets
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste season generously
- nonstick spray
Instructions
- Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
- Brush the tilapia fillets with melted butter and season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Season the fillets on both sides with the spice blend.
- Place the tilapia in the air fryer basket, make sure they don't overlap. Cook for 3 minutes, flip with a fish spatula and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Avoid using tongs to flip the fish.
- Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
Notes
- You can season the fish with just salt and pepper and serve it with lemon wedges. It’ll be just as good!
- Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. and cook for 3 minutes.
- Don’t use tongs when removing the fish from the air fryer basket. The tilapia is very delicate and will fall apart. Use a fish spatula instead.
- Let the tilapia fillets sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking. Cooking cold fish straight out of the fridge will result in uneven cooking.
- Tilapia can be bland so make sure to season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
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