Air-Fryer Tilapia: Frozen To Fabulous In Minutes

Air fryer frozen tilapia is a quick and easy way to cook fish when you don't have a lot of time or don't want to thaw it. You can cook frozen tilapia in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes.

How to prepare the air fryer basket

Preparing the air fryer basket is a simple process. First, you should spray the basket with cooking spray. Then, lay sliced lemon in the bottom of the basket. The lemon will prevent the fish from sticking to the basket. Next, place your frozen tilapia fillets on top of the lemon slices. Make sure to arrange the fillets in a single layer. Spritz or brush the fillets with oil, then cover both sides generously with your chosen spices. You can use salt and black pepper, or try something different like ground paprika, cayenne pepper, or cajun seasoning. For an extra burst of flavour, add a small piece of lemon on top of each fillet.

How to season the tilapia

To season the tilapia, brush the frozen fish with oil on both sides, placing the skin side down. You can use any type of oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil. Then, season the fish with salt and black pepper, and sprinkle on any other seasoning of your choice. This could include old bay seasoning, cayenne pepper, ground paprika, cajun seasoning, parmesan cheese, or fresh cilantro. For an added burst of flavour, add a small lemon piece on top of each fish fillet.

How long to cook the tilapia for

The cooking time for frozen tilapia in an air fryer depends on the size of the fillets and the temperature you are cooking at. For example, if you are cooking at 390 degrees, you should cook the fish for 12 minutes, or 14-15 minutes if the fillets are large. If you are cooking at 375 degrees, you should cook the fish for 12-15 minutes.

In general, it should take around 10-15 minutes to cook frozen tilapia in an air fryer. You will know the fish is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 45F/73C when checked with a meat thermometer.

What temperature to cook the tilapia at

To cook frozen tilapia in an air fryer, you should set the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 390 degrees Fahrenheit. You can cook the fish for 12-15 minutes, or until it is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit/73 degrees Celsius when checked with a meat thermometer.

If you want to add extra flavour to your tilapia, you can spritz or brush the fish with oil and add spices such as salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, or cajun seasoning. You can also add a small piece of lemon on top of each fillet to prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket and to add a burst of flavour.

How to tell if the tilapia is cooked

To cook frozen tilapia in an air fryer, first rinse the fish under cold water to remove any frost or ice, then pat it dry with paper towels. Next, brush the tilapia with oil and sprinkle on your choice of spices. You can also add a small lemon piece on top of each fish fillet for an added burst of flavour. Set your air fryer to 375-390 degrees and cook for 12-15 minutes.

There are a few ways to tell if your tilapia is cooked. Firstly, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. It should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit when it is cooked. If you don't have a thermometer, you can look out for some visual and sensory clues. When the fish is cooked, it will be opaque and will easily flake apart with a fork. You can also poke the fish as it cooks to feel the texture change – when it's cooked, it will be quite firm.

Frequently asked questions