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Air Fryer Tilapia served on a white plate, garnished with lemon wedges and parsley, showcasing a crispy texture

Air Fryer Tilapia

This Air Fryer Tilapia is a time-saving recipe that delivers crispy, golden-tender fish in just 15 minutes, making it a healthy air fryer fish recipe you’ll love.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tilapia fillets Fresh or frozen both work here. Frozen? No problem – just extend the cooking time slightly.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil A light drizzle helps the seasoning stick while giving the tilapia a golden finish.
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Lemon wedges (Optional) A squeeze of fresh lemon juice really elevates the flavors.

Method
 

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating ensures even cooking and that crispy texture we’re going for.
  2. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels (especially important if they were frozen).
  3. Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the fillets and rub it in with your hands for even coverage.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  5. Season the fillets generously on both sides, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
  6. Place the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid stacking or overlapping for even cooking.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the fillets halfway through using tongs.
  8. Once done, the fillets should be golden and flake easily with a fork. Serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

Shopping tip: Grab pre-portioned tilapia fillets to save even more time!