Description
This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe offers a quick, healthy, and flavorful way to prepare tender tilapia fillets seasoned with a blend of garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and black pepper. Ready in just 11 minutes, it’s perfect for a simple weeknight dinner, delivering flaky, perfectly cooked fish with a delightful crisp outer texture. Serve with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for added brightness and 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, for serving
- Minced fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF for 4 to 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature for cooking the tilapia evenly and quickly.
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, and coarse ground black pepper. Mix well to form a uniform seasoning blend.
- Season Tilapia: Pat the tilapia fillets dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps in better seasoning adhesion and crisping. Brush both sides of each fillet evenly with the prepared seasoning mix.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation for even cooking.
- Cook Tilapia: Air fry the fillets for 5 to 6 minutes at 400ºF. Check for doneness by ensuring the fish flakes easily with a fork and has reached an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Serve: Carefully transfer the cooked tilapia fillets to serving plates using a fish spatula or a long thin spatula. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Serve the tilapia with sides of your choice or use it in buns, salads, tacos, or wraps for versatile meal options.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper can introduce a pleasant heat if preferred.
- This air frying method works well for other similarly sized and flavored fish such as striped bass, rainbow trout, and red snapper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (about 5.3 oz)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
