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    Make It Skinny Please » Recipes » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Tilapia

    Published: Dec 1, 2022 · Modified: Dec 1, 2022 by Toni Dash · 5 Comments

    Air Fryer Tilapia

    Weight Watchers Points0
    Calories: 130kcal
    Carbs: 3g
    Protein: 23g
    Fats: 3g
    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    air fryer tilapia in air fryer basket with text.

    Air Fryer Tilapia is a delicious dinner option for busy weeknights. Tender flaky white fish cooked to perfectly in less than 10 minutes cook time! It's a mild fish seasoned to perfection making a healthy recipe the whole family will love! 0 Weight Watchers points too.

    air fryer tilapia in air fryer basket with text.
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    air fryer tilapia in air fryer basket with text.

    'Eat more fish!' How many times have you heard this? It's true but somehow making fish can be a mystery or if you don't like the flavor it's turnoff. No matter what camp you fall in this Air Fryer Tilapia recipe is for you! It's an easy way to work fish into a healthy meal and enjoy it too!

    Tilapia is a delicate, flaky fish with very mild flavor (read: it's not fishy tasting). Unlike some other choices like yummy buttery Sea Bass, tilapia is also inexpensive making it a great choice for a main dish or to use in other recipes like tilapia fish tacos.

    The simple homemade seasoning mixture gives just the right flavors to the fish filets. Fresh fish or frozen and thawed tilapia filets can be used. Air fry tilapia can be used for meal prepping too! Try it with our Air Fryer Green Beans.

    After trying our air fryer tilapia try our Air Fryer Miso Salmon, Blackened Air Fryer Mahi Mahi or Baked Salmon with Orange-Chili Glaze!

    Jump to:
    • What makes this skinny?
    • Recipe Ingredient Notes
    • How to make Air Fryer Tilapia
    • Expert Tip
    • How to Store
    • More recipes you'll love!
    • Recipe

    What makes this skinny?

    • Tilapia is a low calorie fish that packs a ton of protein (26 grams of protein in a serving with only 128 calories). It's also low fat (3 grams of fat per serving). It's also loaded with vitamins and minerals. Combined with the mild flavor makes a great way to eat fish regularly!
    • The only other ingredients are seasonings and a spritz of olive oil which are very low in calories.

    Recipe Ingredient Notes

    air fryer tilapia labelled ingredients.
    Fresh or frozen and thawed tilapia filets can be used. The packaged fillets in the photos come several in a larger bag in the frozen section of the grocery store. Individual fillets can be taken out and thawed whenever you need them so they never go bad.

    Tilapia fillets. Our recipe is based on using 4-ounce fillets (the recommended serving size). You can find fresh tilapia fillets in the fish section of the store or frozen in separate fillets.

    If using frozen fillets start with completely thawed tilapia fillets. Larger fillets can also be used however the cooking time will need to be adjusted.

    Seasonings. Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and garlic powder are used to season the fillets.

    Lemon. You'll squeeze the juice of half a lemon on the air fryer tilapia fillets before serving.

    Olive oil spray. A spritz on the fillets before cooking prevents them from sticking to the air fryer basket and helps crisp the outside too.

    plate with tilapia and salad.

    How to make Air Fryer Tilapia

    Printable recipe card at the end of the post.

    STEP 1. Mix seasonings

    In a small bowl combine the kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and garlic powder. Stir to mix together.

    STEP 2. Season the tilapia

    Pat off any excess moisture on the fish fillets with a paper towel. Sprinkle on the seasoning on both sides of the fillets (photo 1). Spritz lightly with olive oil spray.

    air fryer tilapia recipe steps collage.

    STEP 3. Air Fry

    Place the prepared tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer (photo 2). Cook at 390 for 7-8 minutes (flipping over halfway through cooking) or until the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145 degrees F. The fish will be opaque and flaky (photo 3).

    STEP 4. Add lemon juice

    Remove from the air fryer and transfer to dining plates. Give the air fryer fish a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and serve!

    air fryer tilapia in the air fryer basket cooked.

    Expert Tip

    Use an instant-read thermometer for food. The most accurate way to determine if meat or fish is done is by taking the internal temperature of the food.

    Using an instant read thermometer does this immediate so the food doesn't begin to cool while waiting for the reading as can happen with a traditional meat thermometer.

    Air fryer cooking. Every brand, type and size of air fryer cooks slightly differently. Monitor the air fryer fish recipe during the air frying cooking process and adjust as needed.

    The best way to know to do this is by taking the internal temperature of the tasty fish. This recipe was developed using a Cosori 5.8 quart XL 1700 watt air fryer.

    meal prepped air fryer tilapia.

    How to Store

    Store any leftover tilapia in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 390 for 3 minutes or until warmed through or in the microwave.

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    Recipe

    Air Fryer Tilapia

    Weight Watchers Points0
    Click to track Weight Watchers Points
    Mild, delicate flaky Tilapia cooks in less than 10 minutes in the air fryer. Lightly seasoned and delicious, this low calorie fish is a great main dish or in other dishes like fish tacos!
    5 from 66 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
    Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 130kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Equipment

    air fryer

    Ingredients

    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • Pinch freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 4-ounce filets tilapia fresh filets or frozen and thawed filets
    • olive oil spray
    • ½ lemon to squeeze on before serving

    Instructions

    • Combine the kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl. Mix to combine.
      ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, Pinch freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • Pat the tilapia filets with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Season with the blended seasoning on both sides of the filets.
      2 4-ounce filets tilapia
    • Lightly spritz the filets (both sides) with olive oil spray. This keeps them from sticking to the air fryer basket and helps crisp the outside.
      Transfer the tilapia to the air fryer basket.
      olive oil spray
    • Cook at 390 degrees F for 7-8 minutes (flipping halfway through) or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees F.
    • Remove from the air fryer basket, squeeze the lemon on top and enjoy.

    Notes

    Note on air fryer cooking: every brand, style and size of air fryer cook slightly differently. Always monitor the food in your air fryer to assess doneness. The fish is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
    If cooking fillets larger than 4 ounces: adjust the cooking time by increasing it by 1 to 2 minutes until the fish reaches 145 degrees F internal temperature.
    How to store leftovers
    Store any leftover tilapia in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 390 for 3 minutes or until warmed through or in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
    air fryer tilapia in air fryer basket with text.
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutritional Coach and certified Weight Loss Specialist, writer/blogger, photographer, chief recipe developer and creator of Make It Skinny Please. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her slimmed down recipes using real food ingredients bring excitement to the dining table and never taste like 'diet food'. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 66 votes (61 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tayler says

      December 01, 2022 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      I love tilapia because it has such a mild flavor. This recipe did not disappoint.

      Reply
    2. Beth says

      December 01, 2022 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe came right in time - I was just told I need to eat more fish! So this is perfect- quick, easy and so tasty!

      Reply
    3. Fran says

      December 01, 2022 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      Absolutey delicious! This will be a regular for me. Loved the flavor and texture (can't say that about all fish lol).

      Reply
    4. Nikki says

      December 01, 2022 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      Quick and easy! This air fryer tilapia is going on my frequent rotation list right now.

      Reply
    5. Elizabeth says

      December 01, 2022 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      Tilapia is one of my favorite white fish, and this recipe was delicious! Loved how fast and easy it was too.

      Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I'm a Certified Nutrition Coach and NASM certified Weight Loss Specialist. I'm excited to share Classic Recipes made more calorie friendly using real food!

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