Air Fryer Tilapia Fillet: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryer tilapia is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be prepared in under 20 minutes. The mild-flavoured fish is affordable, easy to find, and cooks to tender, flaky perfection in the air fryer. It's a great option for those who are sceptical of seafood or simply looking for a healthy, tasty dinner that can be made with minimal fuss.

How to cook frozen tilapia in the air fryer

Tilapia is a mild-tasting, affordable, and easy-to-find fish that can be cooked in an air fryer from frozen. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you cook delicious tilapia fillets in your air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

First, lay some sliced lemon in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Lemon slices will prevent the fish from sticking to the basket and will also infuse the tilapia with a nice lemon aroma. You can also use parchment paper or spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Tilapia

Take the frozen tilapia fillets out of the package and pat them dry with paper towels. This will help the fish crisp up on the outside and ensure the seasonings stick better. You can also rinse the fillets with cold water if desired, but this is optional.

Step 3: Season the Tilapia

Brush or drizzle olive oil over the fillets, and then sprinkle your desired seasonings over the fish. You can use salt, pepper, garlic salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or any other spices you like. You can also brush the fillets with a mixture of olive oil and spices.

Step 4: Cook the Tilapia

Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fillets in batches.

Cook the tilapia at 390-400°F for 11-14 minutes, flipping the fillets halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets, so it's important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

The tilapia is done when it is fork-tender and flakes easily. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be at least 145°F.

Step 6: Serve

Serve the tilapia fillets with your choice of sides, such as asparagus, roasted vegetables, potatoes, or a salad. You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fish and garnish with parsley before serving.

Tips:

• Choose fillets that are similar in size so that they cook at the same rate.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the fillets in batches if needed.
• Don't overcook the tilapia, as it can become dry and rubbery.
• You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3-4 months.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried tilapia!

How to make a lemon butter sauce to accompany the tilapia

Now that you've got your tilapia fillets ready, it's time to make a delicious lemon butter sauce to accompany them. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Lemon
• Fresh Parsley
• Garlic
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Cut the lemon in half. Juice and zest one half of the lemon. Slice the other half into thin slices.
• In a small bowl, melt the butter. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and crushed garlic. Stir well.
• Brush the garlic lemon butter over the tilapia fillets. Make sure to coat both sides generously.
• Season the fillets with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place the lemon slices over the fillets.
• Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
• Serve the tilapia fillets with the lemon butter sauce drizzled on top.

This lemon butter sauce is a perfect complement to the mild flavour of tilapia. The buttery, bright lemon taste adds a zesty touch to the dish, while the fresh parsley brings a burst of colour and a delicate aroma. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

How to prevent tilapia from sticking to the air fryer basket

To prevent tilapia from sticking to the air fryer basket, you can use parchment paper to line the base. Another option is to use air fryer liners, although this may result in the base of the fish not being as crispy. Additionally, it is important to spray the basket with olive oil or another type of cooking spray before each batch of fish is cooked.

How to store leftover tilapia

Leftover tilapia can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminium foil and kept in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. To maximise its shelf life, the tilapia should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.

To further extend the shelf life of cooked tilapia, you can freeze it. To do this, place the cooked and cooled tilapia in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or freezer wrap. It can then be stored in the freezer for up to two to three months.

When it comes to reheating your tilapia, you can either microwave it for 20-30 seconds or reheat it in the air fryer for 2 minutes until crispy around the edges.

What to serve with air fryer tilapia

Air fryer tilapia is a quick and easy meal to make, and it goes well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air fryer tilapia:

Vegetables

• Asparagus – A natural pairing for white fish. Try lemon garlic sauteed asparagus, or air fryer asparagus.
• Crispy smashed brussels sprouts, oven-roasted green beans, and baked cauliflower.
• Roasted carrots, especially with whipped feta and pistachios.
• Air fryer bacon-wrapped asparagus with a lemon tahini sauce.
• Air fryer zucchini and squash.
• Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, potatoes, brussels sprouts, carrots, bell peppers, or asparagus.
• Steamed green beans – season according to taste or add things like shallots, garlic, butter, or bacon.
• Cinnamon maple Brussels sprouts – a good choice for fall.
• Homemade ratatouille.

Starches

• Rice – try jasmine rice, cilantro lime rice, fried rice, or coconut rice.
• Pasta – conventional pasta, roasted sweet potatoes, or roasted potatoes.
• Mashed potatoes – try them with caramelized onions and goat cheese.
• Healthy swaps like mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice.
• Lasagna roll-ups.
• Oven-baked mac and cheese.
• Butternut squash pasta carbonara.

Salads

• Greek salad, creamy cucumber salad, spring mix salad, or strawberry spinach salad.
• Pomegranate quinoa arugula salad.
• Brussels sprouts Caesar salad.
• Roasted broccoli salad.
• Southwestern Cobb salad.
• Cucumber tomato avocado salad.
• Mediterranean quinoa salad.

Soups

• Tomato basil soup.
• Mexican street corn soup.
• Roasted poblano corn chowder.

Salsas and dips

• Jalapeño pineapple salsa.
• Peach mango salsa.
• Chunky salsa with diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
• Cilantro lime slaw.
• Mayo-free coleslaw.
• Tzatziki sauce – serve with kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, wild rice, and tzatziki on top of the tilapia.
• Pesto – spread on top of the fish before roasting.
• Peanut sauce – pair with fresh cilantro.

Frequently asked questions