Make this super easy Air Fryer Tilapia recipe in just 10 minutes, using either fresh or frozen fish fillets. It comes out perfectly tender, flavorful, and moist, every single time!
Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (204℃). Meanwhile, pat the tilapia fillets with a few paper towels to dry them on all sides.Sprinkle the fish generously with the seasonings, using your hands to gently rub it in and coat each piece on all sides.
Spray or drizzle the air fryer basket with oil.Working in batches, place 1 to 2 tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket so they don’t overlap. Spray or drizzle the fish with a little extra oil for extra crispiness.Close the air fryer and cook for 7 minutes.
Once the fish is cooked through and flakey, use a spatula to carefully remove and set it on a plate.Repeat steps 2-3 until all the fish fillets are cooked.Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice on the plated fish.
Notes
Cooking Frozen Tilapia: Preheat your air fryer, then spray the basket with oil. Season the fish and lay them in the basket without overlapping the pieces. Close the air fryer and cook for 9-12 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and flakey.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The fish should lay in a single layer without overlapping.
Don’t flip the fish halfway through cooking! It will stay together better and still cook evenly.
The exact cooking time will vary. You may need to adjust the cooking time +/- 1 to 3 minutes.
Stop cooking the tilapia once it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), per USDA, to avoid overcooking it. The fish will be flakey and opaque when cooked through.
To keep the fish from sticking, spray the basket again before each batch of fish is cooked.
