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Air Fryer Tilapia

Cook Time9 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 4 tilapia fillets about 4–6 oz each
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the fish

  • Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel. This step helps the oil and seasoning stick better and promotes a crispier finish.

Step 2: Season generously

  • Brush each fillet lightly with olive oil on both sides. In a small bowl, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning blend evenly over both sides of the fish.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer

  • Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for 2–3 minutes. This ensures the fish starts cooking immediately for maximum crispiness.

Step 4: Air fry to perfection

  • Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish is opaque, flakes easily with a fork, and has a light golden crust.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy

  • Transfer the fish to a plate, squeeze over fresh lemon juice, and serve immediately.