This lemon pepper air fryer tilapia with no breading is nice and slightly crispy outside while being well cooked and juicy inside. A super quick main to put together. Keto-friendly and low carb.
Tilapia is an inexpensive fish that cooks so well. The only care I take is to avoid questionable sources when I buy it.
Rich in protein, this is a good fish to consume once a week.
If you like it breaded, here is my recipe for Air fryer breaded tilapia.
You may also like Bengali fish curry, lemon pepper garlic shrimp, air fryer Cajun shrimp.
This recipe is done in under 30 minutes and is wonderful for quick meals.
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Tips and Tricks:
1. Source fresh tilapia from good sources. You can use frozen fillets as well.
2. A simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper is all it takes to make it juicy and delicious.
3. The little olive oil in the marinade gives it a nice flavour.
4. Do not flip the fish mid-way as it breaks easily. Let it cook through without turning. Also be very careful when removing it after air frying.
5. Leave ample space between fillets. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer or they will cook unevenly.
6. Adjust the time as per the size of your fillets. I got about 7 small fillets in 1 lb.
7. Always dry the fillets well so that the spices adhere to it well.
Stepwise pictures
Clean fish fillets and dry them. If using frozen, thaw and dry the fillets.
Assemble 2 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. ground pepper (use less as per taste. I like mine hot), 2 tsp. finely minced garlic, 2 tsp. lemon juice and ½ tsp. salt or as per taste.
Mix the seasonings in oil and keep aside.
Brush the fillets with the prepared seasoning mix on both sides of the fillet.
Prepare all the fillets similarly and keep aside.
Preheat air fryer at 200C or 390F for 4 minutes.
Brush the air fryer basket with some oil and lay the fish fillets in one layer making sure that they don't overlap.
The fillets shrink slightly after cooking.
Air fry at 200C or 390F for about 6-7 minutes till they are done. Make sure that you don't overcook.
If your fillets are thicker or bigger in size, you will need about 8-10 minutes of air frying. Air frying time will vary depending upon the size of the fillets used.
Look at how plump and juicy they look. Take them out and serve hot.
Sometimes I also brush them with some BBQ sauce before for a delicious smoky taste. You can try the same variation.
Delicious air fryer tilapia with no breading and a lemon pepper garlic marinade is ready to serve. Enjoy.
FAQs
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.
We only use a little oil in the marinade. This prevents the fillets from drying out when cooking.
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.
I have found these tips to be helpful.
1. Brush or spray you basket well with oil.
2. Do not flip or move around the fish fillets once placed in the basket for cooking.
3. Handle the fillets gently after you finished cooking them in air fryer.
4. If your fillets are still sticking use a parchment paper cut to the size of your basket or silicone ones.
Tilapia is not a smelly fish. Nonetheless, soak your air fryer basket in warm water with lemon juice and then wash it off with soap and water to get rid of any smells.
I have only used fresh or thawed fillets for this recipe.
Here's the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Tilapia in Air fryer No Breading
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fish fillets Tilapia or 500 gm. Cod or Halibut work well
Marinade
- 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tsp. ground pepper or less as per taste
- 2 tsp. garlic finely minced
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. salt or as per taste
Garnish
- Chopped cilantro
- Lemon slices or wedges
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Instructions
- Clean fish fillets and dry them. If using frozen, thaw and dry the fillets.
- Assemble 2 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. ground pepper (use less as per taste. I like mine hot), 2 tsp. finely minced garlic, 2 tsp. lemon juice and ½ tsp. salt or as per taste.
- Mix the seasonings in oil and keep aside.
- Brush the fillets with the prepared seasoning mix on both sides of the fillet.
- Prepare all the fillets similarly and keep aside.
Air frying Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 200C or 390F for 4 minutes.
- Brush the air fryer basket with some oil and lay the fish fillets in one layer making sure that they don't overlap.
- The fillets shrink slightly after cooking.
- Air fry at 200C or 390F for about 6-7 minutes till they are done. Make sure that you don't overcook.
- If your fillets are thicker or bigger in size, you will need about 8-10 minutes of air frying. Air frying time will vary depending upon the size of the fillets used.
- Look at how plump and juicy they look. Take them out and serve hot.
- Sometimes I also brush them with some BBQ sauce before for a delicious smoky taste. You can try the same variation.
- ready to serve. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy.
Video
Notes
2. A simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper is all it takes to make it juicy and delicious.
3. The little olive oil in the marinade gives it a nice flavour.
4. Do not flip the fish mid-way as it breaks easily. Let it cook through without turning. Also be very careful when removing it after air frying.
5. Leave ample space between fillets. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer or they will cook unevenly.
6. Adjust the time as per the size of your fillets. I got about 7 small fillets in 1 lb.
7. Always dry the fillets well so that the spices adhere to it well.
8. Check out the FAQs in the post for common queries.
Nutrition
If you liked the recipe, please leave a star * rating for it. Thanks.
sonia says
A great dish for my family.
Thanks for the recipe!
Rachna says
You are very welcome.
Beth Sachs says
Such a quick and easy dinner! Iove my air fryer.
Rachna says
Thank you Beth
Katherine says
I love the fresh flavors in the marinade. So easy to make in the air fryer too!
Rachna says
Thanks Katherine. Yes super easy to make.
Beth says
I need to try this. I am always looking for new things to prepare in my air fryer and this looks delicious.
Rachna says
Happy to help, Beth.
Gina says
Amazing how well the air fryer does fish! I hadn't experimented past cod until this recipe but this is another winner for the AF!
Rachna says
Thank you Gina!