Description
This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe delivers a quick, healthy, and flavorful seafood meal featuring tender tilapia fillets seasoned with garlic, paprika, and thyme, then perfectly cooked in an air fryer for a crispy finish without the extra oil.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Fish and Seasoning
- 16 oz. tilapia fillets (3 fillets)
- 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 even cooking and a crispy texture for the tilapia fillets.
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, and coarse ground black pepper to create a flavorful seasoning mixture.
- Season the Tilapia: Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Brush both sides of each fillet evenly with the prepared seasoning mix.
- Arrange Fillets: Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fillets in batches.
- Cook the Fish: Air fry the tilapia at 400ºF for 5 to 6 minutes. Check doneness by ensuring the fish flakes easily with a fork and its internal temperature reaches 145ºF (63ºC).
- Serve: Carefully transfer the cooked tilapia to serving plates using a fish spatula. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets, and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Serve the tilapia with sides of your choice or use it as a filling for buns, salads, or tacos.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference; adding a pinch of cayenne pepper can add a nice kick of heat.
- This air frying method works well for other similar-sized fish such as striped bass, rainbow trout, or red snapper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approximately 5.3 oz)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
