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This air fryer tilapia recipe is a simple, healthy main dish the whole family will love — tender, flaky fish seasoned just right and cooked perfectly in the air fryer. Whether you’re learning how to cook tilapia in the air fryer or just want dinner on the table fast, this tilapia in the air fryer method gives crispy edges and juicy centers with minimal fuss.
Looking for more dinners you can make in the air fryer? I’ve got ’em! This Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken is a family favorite, as are these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts.
Why you’ll love tilapia in the air fryer!
You can always count on fish to be an easy meal, and this air fryer tilapia recipe is no different! Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s fast, easy, and gives you lots of crisp texture without the need for deep frying.
All you need are a few seasonings and breadcrumbs to create incredible flavor. Then, pop your tilapia filets in an air fryer, and dinner is ready in minutes!
You really need to make this air fryer tilapia to see just how good it is.
- Quick and easy: Ready in about 15-20 minutes for busy weeknights.
- A dinner you’ll fee good about: Light and healthy with minimal oil.
- The best tilapia you’ll ever have: Flaky, tender fish with a perfectly crispy exterior.
- Versatile pairing options: Great paired with rice, veggies, or salads.
Looking for more quick seafood meals? Try my Grilled Salmon and Fish Tacos too!
Table of Contents
Ingredients For Air Fryer Tilapia
This is just a quick overview of the most important ingredients. For a complete list with measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Flour – Regular, all-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe. If needed, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Milk – I like to use whole milk to add a little richness to the fish. Unsweetened almond milk will work as well and provide a slightly nutty taste.
- Egg – To help the crispy breadcrumb coating stick.
- Italian-style breadcrumbs – Italian-style breadcrumbs feature a mix of breadcrumbs and herbs including dried basil, oregano, and parsley.
- Tilapia fillets – You can use fresh or frozen tilapia. If you’re using frozen tilapia filets in the air fryer, it is best to let them thaw first. Tilapia filets are nice and thin, so they should thaw quite quickly.
Variations
- Garlic Lemon Tilapia: Add extra lemon zest and garlic powder.
- Blackened Cajun: Spice up with Cajun seasoning for bold flavor.
- Parmesan Crust: Sprinkle grated Parmesan during the last few minutes.
- Herb-Crusted: Mix in dried herbs like oregano or thyme.
How to Make Air Fryer Tilapia
- Dredge the fish in flour: First, dip the tilapia filets into the flour mixture and tap off the excess.
- Coat in egg: Make sure it’s evenly coated.
- Add the breadcrumbs: Next, dip the fish into the breadcrumbs. Be sure to coat the tilapia filets completely so the breading envelopes the fish all the way around.
Serving Suggestions
Tilapia is a mild-flavored fish that pairs well with fresh lemon juice and a variety of side dishes.
- Salad: I like to serve air fryer tilapia with my summer pasta salad, which is filling but still nice and light.
- Veggies: Tilapia is also great with a veggie side dish like roasted broccoli or some air fried zucchini.
- Grains: A quick bowl of Instant Pot rice will go with the air-fried tilapia perfectly.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Tilapia
- Store leftover air fryer tilapia in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days.
- Reheat in the air fryer for three to four minutes. This will make it nice and crispy, just like the day it was made!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — you can air fry from frozen, but pat it dry, add a couple extra minutes, and ensure even spacing to avoid steaming.
Set your air fryer to 375°F for crispier edges and flaky insides.
When the fish flakes easily with a fork and looks opaque all the way through — the internal temperature should hit 145°F.
Air fried tilapia is great with rice, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, air fried asparagus, or a fresh salad.
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Air Fryer Tilapia
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 4 tilapia filets
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Add the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a shallow bowl and whisk them all together.¼ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Add the milk and egg to a second shallow bowl and whisk the egg with the milk, breaking up the egg completely.1 tablespoon milk, 1 egg
- Pour the breadcrumbs into a third shallow bowl.2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Dip the first tilapia filet into the spiced flour mix and coat both sides of the fish with the flour. Then, dip the fish into the eggs, covering it completely in the liquid. Finally, dip the fish into the breadcrumbs and make sure both sides are covered completely in breadcrumbs.4 tilapia filets
- Place the breaded fish filet on the prepared air fryer tray then continue to dip and bread the remaining fish filets.
- Once you have all the fish breaded and lined up in your air fryer basket, place the basket into the hot air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. The fish will be golden brown and crispy. Enjoy right away!
Notes
- Avoid overcrowding: Cook in batches if needed for even air flow.
- Pat dry: Removing surface moisture helps crisp the outside and stick the seasonings.
- Adjust the cooking time if needed: Fish in the air fryer should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cook frozen tilapia, you will likely need to adjust the cook time, adding a few minutes.
- Oven method: If you do not have an air fryer, you can still make this easy tilapia recipe. Preheat your oven to 350ºF, and line a baking sheet tray with foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray, and arrange the breaded tilapia in an even layer. Bake for 5 minutes. Then, flip and bake for five minutes more or until the fish cooks through.
Looks so light and perfectly cooked 🐟 Crispy outside and flaky inside is the best combo!
Looks delicious — love how crispy and flaky it turns out!
You’ve turned simple ingredients into something amazing!
So simple yet so good! Definitely making it again!