Air Fryer Tilapia is fast and delicious. Air fry up plain tilapia fillets into tender, flaky portions that are an absolute delight! The best part is that this flavorful seafood dish comes together in just 10 minutes for a super convenient weeknight meal!
Easy Tilapia Cooked In The Air Fryer
Summer calls for light meals that can be made without much fuss! Like my lemon butter baked cod, this air fryer tilapia without breading is a super-fast and mouthwatering seafood main course that you can whip up for your family in just 10 minutes!
It’s amazing with buttery tilapia – but you can also use whatever favorite white fish you have available! Full of heart-healthy Omega-3’s, tilapia is a fantastic, healthy, and affordable option for dinner.
My Air Fryer Tilapia is full of flavor, tender, and effortless – everything you want in a main course!
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
Incredibly Fast! This recipe is no-fuss and basically effortless, no matter what your culinary experience level! Makes the perfect meal for a busy weeknight!
It’s Tasty! The air fryer makes this tilapia succulent, and the rich seasonings highlight the flavor of the fish without overwhelming the delicate flesh.
Make it Your Own! Use this recipe as a base and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite!
🥘 Ingredients
Let the air fryer do the cooking with this effortless 4 ingredient recipe. Unable to find Cajun seasoning in your grocery store? Make my simple and quick recipe!
- Tilapia Fillets – Fresh is always best! You can use frozen too – but make sure to thaw! You can also substitute any white fish for the tilapia.
- Olive Oil – A fantastic, healthy cooking oil. You’ll use this to coat the air fryer basket and rub on the fillets.
- Cajun Seasoning – An incredibly delicious seasoning blend to sprinkle on the fish. Use your favorite store-bought or use mine to add delicious flavor to so many recipes.
- Lemon – This is optional, but lemon enhances the flavor of the fish and adds an incredible fresh bite.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*
🔪 How To Air Fry Tilapia
My fast and delicious air fryer tilapia comes together so effortlessly, you’ll be amazed!
This recipe makes 2 servings, but you can easily increase this recipe to feed the whole family.
- Prep the air fryer. Rub a small drizzle of olive oil (about ½ of a teaspoon) on the air fryer basket or use an air fryer liner. Then preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
- Prep the tilapia. Rinse and pat dry one 8-ounce tilapia fillet or two 4-ounce tilapia fillets. Next, rub a small amount of olive oil (about 1 teaspoon) over both sides of the fish. Then, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning over both sides of the tilapia, until well-coated.
- Air fry the tilapia. Place the tilapia in the air fryer and air fry at 400°F (205°C) for 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 3 minutes. When the fish is done, it will reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). It should also be completely opaque and flaky.
- Serve. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the fish, if desired and serve immediately.
I love to serve this fast and delicious air fryer tilapia for a light summertime lunch or dinner with my equally effortless air fryer asparagus.
Want a sauce to cover the fish or dip into? Try my lemon butter sauce or drawn butter.
Make it hearty with a side dish like my delicious oven-roasted potatoes! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- Cooking times are an estimate and may vary, based on many factors. Every air fryer is different! Cooking times may vary slightly based on air fryer model or the thickness of your fish. Using the manufacturer’s instructions and my recommendations will make sure your fish is perfect.
- Oil your air fryer basket or use a liner to prevent the tilapia from sticking. Fish sticks to pans and breaks apart easily. Protecting the bottom of the fillet will make sure you’re serving whole, beautiful fillets of fish.
- Don’t overcook your tilapia! Use a thermometer to ensure a perfect finish.
- According to the USDA, the internal temperature for tilapia should be 145°F (63°C). Tilapia is a fish that should be fully cooked. Don’t have a thermometer? When tilapia is fully cooked, it will be opaque, firm to the touch, and will flake easily when you twist a fork inserted into the thickest portion of the white fish.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
This tilapia is fantastic for lunch the next day or for meal prep! If you do make extra, this incredible air fryer salmon will last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator!
You can further extend the shelf life of this cooked tilapia by freezing it. Place cooled fillets in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Eat the tilapia within 4 months for the best flavor. When defrosting, a slow defrost in your refrigerator overnight is the safest and best option!
Reheating Air Fryer Tilapia
To reheat this delicious tilapia, preheat your air fryer to 275°F (135°C). Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until it’s reached an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
🐟 More Amazing Seafood Recipes
❓ FAQ
Tilapia is a lean white fish with a buttery flavor and firm, but delicate texture. Any white fish would make a good substitute, but Catfish, Striped Bass, Bream, Red Snapper, Flounder, and Branzino are the closest substitutions.
Because freshwater fish and lake fish can have parasites, you really do want to cook them to that completely done (and safe) temperature of 145°F (63°C). Fish that has been in the deep freezer has had the bacteria killed, so this is the exception. Someone else had the same question here.
📋 Recipe
Air Fryer Tilapia
Ingredients
- 8 oz tilapia fillet (or 2 4oz portions)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning (use mine or store bought)
- 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the tilapia.8 oz tilapia fillet
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C). Lightly coat the basket bottom with cooking oil, or use an air fryer liner.
- Rub a small amount of olive oil over both sides of the fish and sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over both sides of the tilapia.½ tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- Place into your preheated air fryer and cook at 400°F (205°C) for 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 3 minutes.
- When the fish is done, it will be flaky and completely white throughout. Squeeze a bit of lemon over the fish if desired and serve immediately, enjoy!1 lemon
Equipment You May Need
Notes
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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