Description
This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe offers a quick and healthy way to prepare tender, flaky fish seasoned with garlic, paprika, thyme, and a hint of black pepper. Cooked to perfection in the air fryer, these tilapia fillets develop a lightly crisp exterior while maintaining moist and flavorful flesh. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or a light lunch, served with lemon wedges and optional fresh parsley garnish.
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
- Minced fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC) for 4 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking of the tilapia fillets.
- Prepare seasoning mix: In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper. Stir well to create a uniform seasoning paste.
- Season the tilapia: Pat the tilapia fillets dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Brush both sides of each fillet evenly with the prepared seasoning mix to coat well.
- Arrange in air fryer: Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If your air fryer basket isn’t large enough, cook the fish in batches to avoid overcrowding, which ensures proper air circulation and crispiness.
- Cook the tilapia: Cook the fillets at 400ºF for 5 to 6 minutes. Check for doneness by ensuring the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC).
- Serve: Carefully transfer the cooked tilapia to serving plates using a fish spatula or long thin spatula. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each fillet and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Serve the tilapia with sides of your choice such as steamed vegetables, rice, or on a bun, salad, or taco for versatility.
- Adjust seasoning as preferred; adding a pinch of cayenne pepper can introduce a pleasant heat.
- This air frying method is also great for other similarly sized fish like striped bass, rainbow trout, and red snapper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (about 5.3 oz)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 420 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
