Description
This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe offers a quick, healthy, and flavorful way to cook tender tilapia fillets with a simple blend of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and seasonings. Perfectly cooked in just minutes, this dish is light, flaky, and ideal for a nutritious meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Tilapia
- 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
For Serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Minced fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF for 4 to 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the optimal cooking temperature for perfectly cooked fish.
- Prepare the Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, and coarse ground black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful seasoning blend.
- Season the Tilapia Fillets: Pat the tilapia fillets dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Brush both sides of each fillet evenly with the prepared seasoning mixture to coat them well.
- Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket: Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overlapping to allow even cooking. Cook in batches if your air fryer cannot fit all fillets at once.
- Cook the Tilapia: Air fry the tilapia fillets for 5 to 6 minutes. Check doneness by verifying if the fish flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature registers 145°F (63°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Serve: Using a fish spatula or a long thin spatula, carefully transfer the cooked tilapia fillets to serving plates. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each fillet and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Serve the tilapia with your choice of sides, such as steamed vegetables, rice, or in tacos and salads for a versatile meal.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning quantities to suit your taste preferences. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper can introduce a pleasant heat.
- This air frying method works well for other similarly sized and flavored fish like striped bass, rainbow trout, or red snapper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approximately 5.3 oz)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
