Healthy Air Fryer Tilapia Fillets - Light, Crispy, and Ready in Minutes
Tilapia is one of those weeknight heroes that cooks fast, tastes clean, and pairs with almost anything. When you use an air fryer, you get crisp edges and a tender center without the extra oil. This recipe keeps things simple with bright lemon, warm spices, and a hint of garlic.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 4–6 ounces each), thawed if frozen and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- ¼ to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, zested and cut into wedges
- Optional: pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for heat
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or dill
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket helps the fish crisp quickly.
- Prep the fillets: Pat the tilapia very dry with paper towels. Dry fish browns better and prevents steaming.
- Mix the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne.
- Oil and season: Brush both sides of each fillet with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly on both sides, pressing gently so it adheres.
- Arrange in the basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket or place a perforated parchment liner inside. Lay the fillets in a single layer with space between them. Don’t crowd or overlap.
- Air fry: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7–10 minutes depending on thickness. Thin fillets may be done at 7 minutes; thicker ones take closer to 10.
- Check for doneness: The fish should be opaque, flake easily with a fork, and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). If needed, cook 1–2 minutes more.
- Finish and serve: Squeeze fresh lemon over the top and sprinkle with chopped parsley or dill. Serve with extra lemon wedges.