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    Home » Air Fryer

    Tilapia in Air Fryer - No Breading (Keto-Friendly)

    Published: Sep 25, 2021 · Modified: Jun 20, 2022 by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    Tilapia fish, not breaded, cooked in the air fryer and served on a white plate with slices of fresh lemon
    Tilapia fish, not breaded, cooked in the air fryer and served on a white plate with slices of fresh lemon

    Tilapia in the Air Fryer is the BEST way to cook fresh or frozen fish. Yes, that's right, frozen fish! The fish is lightly crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. These tender tilapia fillets are quick to make in only 12 minutes. This recipe for tilapia is unbreaded; however, it is perfectly seasoned, low-carb, and the perfect recipe to get supper on the table in a hurry!

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Tilapia fillets cooked in the air fryer and served on a white platter with slices of fresh lemon. this …

    I have been having so much fun using my air fryer, especially during the heatwave this past summer. The air fryer never heated the house, and it always cooks food perfectly, in half the time as the oven, using little to no oil.

    Serve this tilapia on a bed of rice or lettuce or in a tortilla shell with pico de gallo for a delicious fish taco that everyone will love.

    If you are looking for another excellent air fryer recipe, check out my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, the most popular recipe on my blog! If you haven't made them yet, you have to give them a try!

    Jump to:
    • Why You Need To Make This Recipe
    • What is tilapia?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Top Tips
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
    • Health Benefits of Tilapia
    • Related Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • More Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You Need To Make This Recipe

    • You can use fresh or frozen fish
    • Fully cooked in only 12 minutes!!
    • No breading
    • Super quick recipe
    • Perfectly seasoned
    • Low-carb
    • Keto-friendly
    • Tastes Delicious!

    What is tilapia?

    Tilapia is native to the Nile River in Africa but is now one of the most popular farmed species of fish today. It is #4 on the list of seafood that people are most likely to consume in the United States.

    Tilapia is a lean white fish, mild-flavored, easy to make, and relatively inexpensive.

    The US FDA has listed tilapia as one of the best choices for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children over the age of 2 years as it has a low mercury and contaminant content.

    Ingredients

    Only four ingredients are needed to make this easy air fryer fish!

    Ingredients for tilapia in air fryer
    • Tilapia, fresh or frozen
    • Lemon-pepper seasoning
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    To make tilapia in the air fryer, brush olive oil on the bottom of the rack in the air fryer; this will prevent the fish from sticking.

    Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.

    Place fish fillets on the rack. Mix seasoning in a bowl and sprinkle half of it evenly on the fish fillets. Flip the tilapia fillets over, and sprinkle the rest of the seasoning evenly over the fish. Set your timer on the air fryer for 12 minutes. You do not need to flip the fish halfway through the cooking time. Tilapia is a very delicate fish, and it may fall apart if you flip it.

    When the timer is done, check to make sure the fish is cooked. It should flake easily with a fork.

    To serve, squeeze some fresh lemon over the fish and serve! Enjoy!

    Tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket, topped with seasoning
    Cooked tilapia in the air fryer, topped with seasoning

    Everyone in my family loves fish tacos. This recipe is the easiest way to turn this ⬆️ into this ⬇️.

    Cooked tilapia in the air fryer served as fish tacos with pico de gallo on a white platter with fresh lemon for garnish

    Top Tips

    • Preheat the air fryer before placing the tilapia in it.
    • Adjust the seasoning to taste.
    • If the fish is frozen, it needs to cook for 2-3 minutes more than fresh (thawed) fish.
    • No extra oil is required to air fry the tilapia.
    • Leave a bit of space between the fish fillets so air can pass around them for even cooking.
    • Do not overcrowd the basket.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Tilapia - This recipe will also work well for other white fish such as sole and cod.
    • Seasoning - Adjust seasonings to your taste. Use less lemon-pepper seasoning, less garlic powder, and more onion powder. Try adding some cayenne pepper or chili powder if you would like to spice things up!

    If you are looking for a delicious breaded pan-fried fish recipe, try out this Crispy Japanese Fish Katsu with Homemade Katsu Sauce. Yum!

    Equipment

    To make this tilapia recipe, you need an air fryer. The one I used is an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer. It was very reasonably priced and has a large basket so I can quickly cook for my family.

    Storage

    If properly stored in an airtight container, cooked tilapia will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.

    You can also freeze cooked tilapia in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 2 months.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

    Is the air fryer good for fish?

    Yes! It is a great way to cook fish! Fish in the air fryer is always lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

    What temperature should tilapia be cooked to?

    You should cook tilapia to 145 degrees, which will take about 12 minutes at 400 degrees F and about 14 minutes at 400 degrees F if the fish is frozen.

    Is tilapia safe to eat?

    According to Medical News Today, there are tilapia farms around the world. If these farms maintain good conditions, their fish is safe to eat.

    Choosing tilapia from a responsible source ensures that the fish is safe, healthful, and sustainable. Consumers can look for the country of origin or the Ocean Wise symbol to check the source of their fish.

    The Ocean Wise scheme labels fish sources according to their sustainability. This considers the long-term survival of the species, its health, environmental pollution, and the impact of fishing on the ecosystem.

    Air fryer tilapia that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served on a white platter with lemon wedges

    Health Benefits of Tilapia

    • High in protein, needed for growth and development
    • Great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
    • High in vitamin B12, which helps your body make DNA and produce red blood cells
    • Low in fat and saturated fat, which may help in weight loss
    • Low in calories and carbohydrates, so it is low carb diet and keto diet-friendly
    • Excellent source of phosphorus, which can help prevent osteoporosis and keep bones strong and healthy.
    • Great source of selenium, an antioxidant that improves your immune system, and thyroid function, fights premature aging, and also decreases your risk of certain types of cancer and some heart conditions.

    Related Recipes

    • Maple Glazed Salmon
    • Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer
    • Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill
    • Cod Fillet In Shrimp and Mushroom Sauce
    • Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries - Ultra Crispy
    • Air Fryer Bacon

    If you’ve tried this Tilapia in Air Fryer - No Breading (Keto friendly) or any other recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Would you please tag me in your photos @windingcreek_ranch? I would love to see your pictures!

    📋 Recipe

    Tilapia fillets cooked in the air fryer and served on a white platter with slices of fresh lemon.

    Tilapia in Air Fryer - No Breading (Keto-Friendly)

    Tilapia in the Air Fryer is the BEST way to cook fresh or frozen fish. Yes, that's right, frozen fish! The fish is lightly crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. These tender tilapia fillets are quick to make in only 12 minutes. This recipe for tilapia is unbreaded; however, it is perfectly seasoned, low-carb, and the perfect recipe to get supper on the table in a hurry!
    5 from 43 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Total Time: 17 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 113kcal
    Author: Jeri Walker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 4 fillets tilapia fresh or frozen
    • ½ teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder

    Instructions

    • Lightly brush olive oil on the bottom of the rack in the air fryer to prevent the fish from sticking.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
    • When preheated, place fish fillets on the rack.
    • Mix seasoning in a bowl and sprinkle half of it evenly on the fish fillets. Next, flip the tilapia fillets over, and sprinkle the rest of the seasoning evenly over the fish.
    • Set your timer on the air fryer for 12 minutes. You do not need to flip the fish halfway through the cooking time. Tilapia is a very delicate fish, and it may fall apart if you flip it.
    • When the timer is done, check to make sure the fish is cooked. It should flake easily with a fork.
    • To serve, squeeze some fresh lemon over the fish and serve!
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
     
    Top Tips:
    • Preheat the air fryer before placing the tilapia in it.
    • Adjust the seasoning to taste.
    • If the fish is frozen, it needs to cook for 2-3 minutes more than fresh (thawed) fish.
    • No extra oil is required to air fry the tilapia.
    • Leave a bit of space between the fish fillets so air can pass around them for even cooking.
    • Do not overcrowd the basket.
    Storage:
    If properly stored in an airtight container, cooked tilapia will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
    You can also freeze cooked tilapia in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 113g | Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.7g | Protein: 23.2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
    L❤️VE this recipe? PIN it for later! 😊Mention @windingcreek_ranch or tag #windingcreek_ranch on IG!

    Food safety

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

    More Recipes

    • How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Valentine's Day
    • Easy Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Bacon
    • Smoked Sausage Recipe on Pellet Grill
    • Best Traeger Pork Tenderloin Recipe

    More Easy & Delicious Air Fryer Recipes

    • Crispy Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
    • The BEST Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp Tempura
    • Easy Air Fryer Sugar Cookies Recipe
    • Easy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean

      October 01, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      this keto version is great and using the air fryer is a good alternative!

      Reply
    2. Freya

      September 27, 2021 at 11:40 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I had no idea you could cook fish in an air fryer!

      Reply
      • Jeri

        September 28, 2021 at 7:13 am

        Yes, and it's so easy!

        Reply
        • Geetanjali Tung

          October 02, 2021 at 3:42 am

          5 stars
          I love tilapia. Using air fryer is a great idea. Will definitely try this next time.

          Reply

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    I'm a passionate home cook who loves creating easy and delicious recipes for busy families! My goal is to help you make tasty meals quickly so you can spend more time on what matters most-- family!

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