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    Home » Air fryer Recipes » Air fryer Seafood

    Air Fryer Tilapia (Step-by-step Pictures + video)

    Published: Jan 9, 2021 · Modified: Nov 27, 2021 by Rachna ·

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This delicious tilapia in Air fryer is ready in minutes, needs no marination and is truly delicious. Making it in the Air fryer makes it oil free, mess free and really fabulous.

    Try it as a main course or an appetizer.

    Tilapia is a very popular fish not only for its reasonable cost but also its mild and less fishy flavour. It has firm flesh that flakes well on cooking.

    I make it in a number of ways, but this Air fryer fish recipe is truly a favourite. I am generally wary of deep frying anything and deep frying fish is very messy.

    Also Air fryer gives amazing results that are as close to deep frying, so much so that you can’t tell the difference.

    But do source your Tilapia from credible sources and not from regions with questionable fish breeding practices.

    Air fried browned tilapia fillets on a black plate with a bowl of dip by the side.

    This air fried fish is ready in under 30 minutes, leaves no mess with oil, no smells and uses very few dishes.

    Pair it with a rice dish or this avocado salad for a quick meal.

    Air fried browned tilapia fillets on a black plate.

    These Air fried chicken drumsticks made KFC style, Air fryer coconut shrimp and Air fryer Oyster mushroom are unbelievably crispy and juicy within. Must try recipes.

    How to Make the perfect Air fryer fish fillet?

    1. It is important to choose fresh fish.

    2. Always dry the fillets completely. Use paper towels for drying them.

    3. You can use any combination of spices as per your liking but ensure that your breadcrumbs are seasoned well. Taste them and adjust the seasoning.

    4. Use a little oil spray or brushing during air frying. This helps in a nice brown colour to the crust.

    5. Do not turn the fish mid-way. It can break. Let it cook through without turning.

    6. Leave ample space between fillets and don’t overcrowd the air fryer when cooking the fillets.

    7. Adjust the time as per the size of your fillets.

    You may also like

    Air fryer chicken tikka

    Spicy Air fryer Chicken Wings

    Air fryer tandoori chicken recipe

    Step-by-step Pictures:

    Wash and completely dry tilapia fillets and keep aside.

    Cleaned tilapia fillets

    In a shallow dish, beat one egg and keep. Take breadcrumbs in a shallow dish.

    Add all the spices to the breadcrumbs and mix well. Keep in a shallow dish. To make the breadcrumbs pulse wholewheat bread slices in a blender or you can use store-bought ones.

    Now preheat the Air fryer at 200 C or 390 F for 4 minutes.

    For assembling the fillets

    Take one fillet at a time. Use only one hand so that both your hands don’t become messy while dipping the fillet.

    Dip both sides of the fillet in the egg wash. Shake off excess. Take it out and immediately put in the breading. Turn both sides till the breading sticks. Repeat the process for all the fillets that you are going to Air fry.

    Breaded tilapia fillets ready to air fry on a plate.

    Air frying

    Brush the basket with some oil. Arrange one or two fillets on the basket depending upon the size of your fillets. Make sure not to overcrowd.

    Breaded tilapia fillets in an air fryer basket ready for air frying

    Air fry at 200 C or 390 F for 8-10 minutes. After 3-4 minutes, take out the basket and lightly spray or brush the fillets with oil.

    No need to flip them. This time will vary depending upon the size of your fillets. Mine were on the smaller side.

    You can use parchment paper to prevent the fillets from sticking to the basket.

    Browned and done tilapia fillets air fried

    After 6 minutes keep an eye on the time. Once the breading looks golden brown, take the basket out.

    Air fried browned tilapia fillets on a black plate with a bowl of dip by the side.

    Your delicious air fryer fish is ready to be served. Enjoy.

    FAQs

    1. What can be used in place of tilapia?

    Any firm white flesh fish is suitable. Catfish, cod, red snapper, rainbow trout, sea bass all work well. Indian fish like rohu and katla work well too

    2. Can we make this recipe gluten free?

    Yes we can by using gluten-free breadcrumbs.

    3. What can we use in place of breadcrumbs?

    You can use oats or crushed cereal as a perfect substitute

    4. Is this recipe oil free?

    We only use a little oil for spraying or brushing during the cooking of the fish. That helps in good browning of the crust.

    5. Can I use parchment paper in the Air fryer

    Yes, you can use parchment paper fit for use in oven but make sure you cut it to the size of your air fryer. Also, do not put in the parchment paper while preheating or it may fly up and catch fire. Only use it with the fish fillets on it.

    6. My fish fillet sticks to the basket. What should I do?

    I have found these tips to be helpful.
    1. Brush you basket well with oil.
    2. Preheat your Air fryer for 4 minutes.
    3. Do not move around the fish fillets once placed in the basket for cooking. Midway take out the basket to lightly spray or brush oil on the fillets cooking. Don’t try to flip the fillets. They cook well just like this.
    4. Take the fillets out of the Air fryer gently after you finished cooking them.
    5. If your fillets are still sticking use a parchment paper cut to the size of your basket.

    7. Does cooking fish in Air fryer leave it messy and with fish smell?

    You can use a parchment paper to catch the breading that falls down in the basket. Tilapia is not smelly. Make sure that you immerse your air fryer basket in warm water with lemon or baking soda and then wash it off with soap and water. It will be free of any smell.

    8. Can I use frozen fish?

    Yes frozen fish works well in this recipe.

    Here is the recipe card:

    Air fryer Tilapia

    Rachna Parmar
    This delicious air fryer tilapia is superbly crispy and tasty. it is ready in under 30 minutes and tastes as good as deep fried with just 1 tsp. oil. Try this recipe today.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 7 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Accompaniment | Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 295 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air fryer

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 Tilapia fillets

    For breading

    • 1 egg
    • 1.5 cups breadcrumbs
    • 1 tsp. pepper powder
    • 2 tsp. paprika or Kashmiri chilli powder
    • 1 tsp. cayenne or spicy chilli powder skip if you prefer less heat
    • ½ tsp. fennel crushed
    • 1 tbsp. garlic powder with herbs like oregano
    • Salt to taste
    • 1 tsp. oil for brushing

    Instructions
     

    • Wash and completely dry tilapia fillets and keep aside.
    • In a shallow dish, beat one egg and keep.
    • Add all the spices to the breadcrumbs and mix well. Keep in a shallow dish. To make the breadcrumbs pulse wholewheat bread slices in a blender or you can use storebought ones.
    • Now preheat the Air fryer at 200 C or 390 F for 4 minutes.

    For assembling the fillets

    • Take one fillet at a time. Use only one hand so that both your hands don’t become messy while dipping the fillet.
    • Dip both sides of the fillet in the egg wash. Bring out and immediately put in the breading. Turn both sides till the breading sticks. Repeat the process for all the fillets that you are going to Air fry.

    Air frying

    • Brush the basket with some oil. Arrange one or two fillets on the basket depending upon the size of your fillets. Make sure not to overcrowd.
    • Air fry at 200 C or 390 F for 8-10 minutes. After 3-4 minutes, take out the basket and lightly spray or brush the fillets with oil. No need to flip them.
    • After 6 minutes keep an eye on the time. Once the breading looks golden brown, take the basket out.
    • Take out the fish fillets and serve immediately with a dip.
    • If having it as a meal, serve with rice and salad.

    Notes

    1. Do not store the air fried fish once done or it will get soggy. I prefer to serve it fresh.
    2. Dip the fillet in the breading just before putting them for air frying. That keeps everything crispy.
    3. Do not flip the fish midway during the cooking or it may break.
    4. You can use a parchment paper cut to the size of the basket if your fish sticks to the basket. I have shared other tips in the FAQs below the recipe.
    5. You can vary the spices used as per your taste. This recipe is moderately spicy.
    6. You can use other fishes like cod, salmon, catfish or any other firm white fish.
    7. Check out the recipe video to make the perfect fish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 25gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 361mgPotassium: 501mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2299IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
    Check out our Food videos Subscribe to our Food channel for recipe videos

    If you liked this recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.

    Air fried browned tilapia fillets on a black plate with a bowl of dip by the side.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jesse says

      January 09, 2021 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      Just got an air fryer for Christmas and will be using your recipe tonight!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        January 09, 2021 at 10:11 pm

        So happy to hear, Jesse. Hope you like it.

        Reply
    2. Jen says

      January 09, 2021 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      Good tip on not turning the fish. I like the addition of the fennel to the crust. Not something I would have thought of but really delicious.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        January 09, 2021 at 10:11 pm

        Thanks Jen. I love the taste of fennel too in the recipe.

        Reply
    3. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

      January 09, 2021 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      I don't use my airfryer enough so I'm trying this fish recipe - thanks!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        January 09, 2021 at 10:12 pm

        Thanks so much, Amanda

        Reply
    4. Deanne says

      January 09, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always looking for new air fryer recipes to try. This looks perfect!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        January 09, 2021 at 10:12 pm

        Thank you, Deanne. Happy to help!

        Reply
    5. Claudia Lamascolo says

      January 09, 2021 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love that the fish wasnt dried out not at all it was perfectly crispy and moist delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        January 09, 2021 at 10:12 pm

        Thanks Claudia. Nothing worse than a dried out piece of fish.

        Reply
    6. Karen Piech says

      May 10, 2022 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      I'm trying this soon. I like the way you explain the recipe.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        May 10, 2022 at 9:55 pm

        Thanks Karen!

        Reply

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    Hi and welcome!

    I am Rachna, a Certified Nutritionist and Health Coach. I help you eat healthy. I specialize in healthy recipes especially Air fryer recipes.

    I offer Health and Nutrition Coaching aimed at helping you achieve fat loss, healthy eating habits and more stamina and flexibility.

    More about me →

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    Hi and welcome!

    I am Rachna, a Certified Nutritionist and Health Coach. I help you eat healthy. I specialize in healthy recipes especially Air fryer recipes.

    I offer Health and Nutrition Coaching aimed at helping you achieve fat loss, healthy eating habits and more stamina and flexibility.

    More about me →

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