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!
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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!
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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!
- 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!
Everyone in my family loves fish tacos. This recipe is the easiest way to turn this ⬆️ into this ⬇️.
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, more onion powder. Try adding some cayenne pepper or chili powder if you would like to spice things up!
Equipment
To make this tilapia recipe, you need an air fryer. The one I use is the COSORI 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)
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.
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 fish is frozen.
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.
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 which improves your immune system, thyroid function, fight premature aging, and also decrease your risk of certain types of cancer and some heart condions.
Related Recipes
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📋 Recipe
Tilapia in Air Fryer - No Breading (Keto-Friendly)
Equipment
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
- 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.
Nutrition
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
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Freya
Delicious! I had no idea you could cook fish in an air fryer!
Jeri
Yes, and it's so easy!
Geetanjali Tung
I love tilapia. Using air fryer is a great idea. Will definitely try this next time.
Jean
this keto version is great and using the air fryer is a good alternative!