Description
This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe offers a quick, flavorful way to prepare tender and flaky fish with a perfectly balanced seasoning blend. The fillets are coated with olive oil and spices, then air fried to a healthy and crispy finish, making it ideal for a light and delicious meal in just minutes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Fish
- 16 oz. tilapia fillets (3 fillets)
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
To Serve
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Minced fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF for 4 to 5 minutes to ensure a hot cooking environment for crisping the tilapia nicely.
- Prepare the Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, and coarse ground black pepper, mixing well to create a flavorful seasoning paste.
- Season the Tilapia: Pat the tilapia fillets dry using a paper towel. Brush both sides of each fillet thoroughly with the seasoning mixture to coat them evenly.
- Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which ensures even cooking.
- Cook the Tilapia: Air fry the fillets for 5 to 6 minutes. Check for doneness by seeing if the fish flakes easily with a fork and confirming the internal temperature has reached 145°F (63°C).
- Serve: Carefully transfer the cooked tilapia to serving plates using a fish spatula or thin spatula. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Serve the tilapia with sides of your choice or use it as a filling for buns, salads, or tacos for versatile meals.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste, including adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat.
- This air frying method works well with other similar-sized and flavored fish varieties such as striped bass, rainbow trout, or red snapper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approximately 5.3 oz)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
