Description
This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe offers a quick and healthy way to enjoy tender, flavorful fish with a perfectly crispy exterior. Seasoned with a blend of garlic, paprika, thyme, and spices, the tilapia cooks in just minutes in the air fryer for a delicious, low-fat meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Tilapia and Seasoning
- 16 oz. tilapia fillets (about 3 fillets)
- 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
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF for 4 to 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the right temperature for cooking the fish evenly.
- Make Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, and coarse ground black pepper to create a flavorful seasoning mix for the tilapia.
- Prep Tilapia: Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Brush both sides of each fillet evenly with the prepared seasoning mixture. Arrange the seasoned fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary, depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of fillets.
- Air Fry: Cook the tilapia fillets in the air fryer at 400ºF for 5 to 6 minutes. Check for doneness by seeing if the fish flakes easily with a fork and confirm the internal temperature has reached 145°F (63°C).
- Serve: Carefully transfer the cooked tilapia to serving plates using a fish spatula or similar tool. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can cook multiple batches if your air fryer basket cannot fit all fillets in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- Make sure to pat the tilapia dry before seasoning to get a crispier outside texture.
- If you don’t have dried thyme, you can substitute with dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Adjust the seasoning quantities to taste if you prefer more or less spice.
- Let the fish rest for a minute or two after cooking to allow juices to redistribute.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Tilapia, Air Fryer Tilapia, Fish Recipe, Healthy Fish, Quick Tilapia, Air Fried Fish
