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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish

    August 23, 2021 Last Modified: May 5, 2022 By Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com Leave a Comment

    Air Fryer Tilapia

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    Jump to Recipe
    Air fryer tilapia pin with text header over plated image of the fish.

    This fast and delicious Air Fryer Tilapia cooks 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!

    Tasty Air Fryer Tilapia

    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.

    Air fryer tilapia served over asparagis with lemon wedge on white plate.
    Easy, delicious air fryer tilapia is a life-saver when you're out of time and need a tasty dinner on the table FAST!

    My Air Fryer Tilapia is full of flavor, tender, and effortless – everything you want in a main course!

    Jump to:
    • Tasty Air Fryer Tilapia
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
    • 💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
    • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
    • 🐟 More Amazing Seafood Recipes
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 📋 Recipe

    ❤️ 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.

    🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

    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.

    Process photos of preparing the tilapia for air frying.
    Process photos of preparing the tilapia fillets for air frying. Rinse and pat dry, oil and season, then cook!
    1. 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).
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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. 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

    • Baked Salmon In Foil
    • Crab Risotto
    • Crab Stuffed Salmon
    • Calamari
    • Boiled Lobster

    ❓ FAQ

    What’s the best substitute for tilapia?

    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.

    Why Cook Fish To 145°F (63°C)?

    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.

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📋 Recipe

    Air fryer tilapia served over asparagis with lemon wedge on white plate.
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    Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
    4.86 from 28 reviews

    Air Fryer Tilapia

    This fast and delicious Air Fryer Tilapia cooks 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!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 165kcal
    Prep 3 minutes
    Cooking 7 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
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    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

    Air Fryer (convection style)
    Air Fryer (basket style)
    Silicone Kitchen Tongs

    Notes

    According to the USDA the temperature for tilapia should be 145°F (63°C).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 7g (2%) | Protein: 24g (48%) | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 57mg (19%) | Sodium: 62mg (3%) | Potassium: 497mg (14%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 1736IU (35%) | Vitamin C: 29mg (35%) | Calcium: 33mg (3%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    Course Air Fryer, Main Dish, Seafood
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    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!

    bakeitwithlove.com/
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    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

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