This tilapia in air fryer is the healthiest and most convenient way to cook fish to perfection! It's a cheap and fast dish that's perfect for hectic weeknights, but it has enough flavor and wow factor to make it a special occasion. It's low in carbohydrates and keto-friendly.
Is tilapia good for you? Of course! In fact, if you're searching for a delicious way to spice up your fish dish, try this tilapia in air fryer recipe. Seasoned with fish seasoning, it's simple to prepare and cook, and how long to cook tilapia in air fryer? You can serve it in less than 15 minutes!
While low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats and strong in protein, this is a fantastic healthy dinner that tastes amazing. You only need a few materials, which you most likely have on hand now.
Above all, serve it with your favorite vegetable, potato, and salad sides for a satisfying meal that even finicky eaters will like.
INGREDIENTS
- Tilapia
- Garlic powder
- Onion granules
- Parsley
- Black pepper
- Paprika (optional)
- Salt
- Lemon (optional)
- Olive oil
What’s This Dish is About
Tilapia is a mild-flavored, flaky white fish that is simple to prepare, affordable, and popular worldwide. Tilapia is cultivated throughout the world, but China produces the most. It is high in protein and contains vitamins B12, phosphorus, niacin, and potassium. It is lean and low in calories and can be baked, grilled, pan-fried, air-fried, or cooked in a variety of ways. Because of that, it has been determined to be the fourth most consumed type of fish in the United States.
Preparation
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for three minutes. Meanwhile, rinse the tilapia fillets and wipe them dry with paper towels.
In a small mixing bowl, blend lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, pepper, and salt until thoroughly incorporated. Rub over the tops of the fillets, then lightly season with paprika. Spray oil on the fryer basket. Arrange the fillets evenly in the basket, spice side up. Do not overcrowd; if necessary, cook in batches.
How long to cook tilapia in air fryer? Cook in the preheated air fryer for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the fish easily flakes with a fork, not any more than that or it will be too much! Transfer the fillets to a dish and decorate with parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.
Can you cook this in the oven?
Yes! Simply prepare your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake on a lined sheet pan for 15-20 minutes.
Substitution
Can you use different fish for this method? This base method and sauce are suitable for any type of white fish. Cooking time, however, will vary depending on the size of the filet.
Haddock or cod filets are thicker and may take more time to cook and a flip in the air to ensure equal cooking.
What can be substituted for parmesan cheese? If you don't have parmesan, substitute another firm cheese, such as pecorino romano or grana padano. If you dislike cheese, you can substitute nutritional yeast.
Can you use non-dairy fat instead of butter? Yes, you can use any liquid fat you enjoy the taste of. Because the sauce's base is flavorful, use something savory, such as finishing olive oil. We would not recommend a neutral-flavored oil in this scenario.
Tips
Ideally, wild-caught tilapia is preferred over farmed tilapia; however, if wild tilapia is not available, try to purchase farmed fish from the United States or Canada for the greatest quality.
Do not advocate flipping the tilapia as it cooks. You risk damaging the tiny fish if you flip it halfway through. However, the air fryer allows for browning on all sides of the fish without the need to flip it.
If your fish was previously frozen, pat the fillets dry before seasoning. This ensures that the seasoning stays better and that the tilapia crisps up rather than steaming in the air fryer.
The FDA recommends cooking tilapia to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure not to stack the fish in the air fryer basket because it won't cook properly. If you have a lot of fish, cook them in separate batches.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- It's a cheap dinner idea that is healthy. Tilapia, a freshwater fish, is affordable. It's an inexpensive protein source that's high in selenium, vitamin B12, niacin, and potassium. I purchased the whole tilapia from my local Costco for about $3.99 per pound or about $2 - 2.50 for each fish. I think that's a great deal!
- This dish has the best way to deep fry fish without adding extra calories. Frying fish in a lot of oil increases calories. Cooking fish in an air fryer requires only around 2 teaspoons of oil.
- Tilapia is easily available in stores for you to buy. Or you can easily order it online by searching “seafood near me” or “seafood restaurant near me” and get access to variety of seafood menu near you.
Answering Questions
What does tilapia taste like?
If you dislike extremely fishy flavors, tilapia in air fryer fillets are ideal for you! They're extremely mild with a hint of sweetness, akin to red snapper. It has a firm but flaky texture and is an excellent choice for folks who do not often enjoy fish. When cooked, it will absorb the flavor of the fish spice.
Can you use other seasonings?
You can use store-bought fish seasoning or create your combination! Tilapia in air fryer has a moderate flavor, so it pairs well with almost any combination! Combine it with some of these other seasoning recipes.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
Can you make it ahead of time?
This tilapia in air fryer recipe is best served as soon as it has been air-fried, which isn't a big deal given how easy it is to prepare and cook. If you have any leftovers, they will keep in the fridge for up to three days and may be reheated in the air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for around three minutes to heat through.
Can you cook this in the oven?
Yes! Simply prepare your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake on a lined sheet pan for 15-20 minutes.
What do you serve it with?
This tilapia in air fryer pairs wonderfully with salads, veggies, or potato sides for a healthy and balanced dinner. Try it with some of our favorites:
- Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
- Creamy Dill Potato Salad.
- Broccoli Slaw with Air Fryer Carrots.
How to Store?
Leftover fish has a lower shelf life than other ingredients. Refrigerate leftover tilapia in air fryer in an airtight jar for up to three days. Tilapia is fairly fragile and rapidly absorbs odors, so avoid storing it in the same container as strongly scented side dishes. Depending on the thickness, leftover tilapia can be reheated in an air fryer at 400F for 4 to 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fish usually cooks in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes. But the time can change based on how thick the fillets are. You can tell if it's done by checking if the fish easily breaks apart with a fork.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting good at cooking tilapia in air fryer isn't just about following specific times and temperatures. It's more about enjoying the freedom and fun of using this cool kitchen gadget. As we've tried out different ways of frying tilapia in air fryer, we've learned that things like how thick the fish is, what kind of tasty marinade you use, and what you like all make a big difference in making the perfect meal.
