Air Fryer Tilapia with Garlic Butter Sauce

WRITER BYJessica

POSTEDJune 20, 2024

Looking for an easy way to whip up some fish into your diet? This delicious air fryer tilapia will be your go-to healthy meal. Perfectly crispy on the outside with a flavourful, moist interior, it's quick and easy to make in under 20 minutes. Get dinner on the table faster than any pizza delivery, and enjoy a family-approved dinner without sacrificing flavour.

I love a good air fryer fish recipe to switch up my protein intake (I still adore you, dear air fryer roast chicken). Although we're not that big of fish eaters in my house when there's a delectable fish recipe, we devour it—I mean, who can resist the crunch? That's why I was so happy to discover this finger-licking air fryer tilapia recipe as a healthy alternative with simple ingredients.

Tilapia fillets go from thaw to crispy-golden brown within minutes. The air fryer literally does all the work for me in a fraction of the time compared to cooking in the oven. In the meantime, I get to work on the sides without worrying about overcooking or undercooking. Plus, if you're not fun of fishy flavours, tilapia has a mild flavour, taking the aromas of whatever you put on it (hello seasonings).

I love to combine it with parmesan cheese for that oh-so-dreamy crust or a bowl of rice and salad. What can I say; even the seafood lover in my house approves! Don't get me wrong, I still love my crispy air fryer salmon, but tilapia fillets are both tasty and affordable—no more pricey seafood.

ARE AIR FRYERS GOOD FOR FISH FILLETS?

Absolutely! Air fryers come with many benefits when preparing fish:

Crispy exterior, tender texture: air fryers mimic the results of traditional frying without excess oil, resulting in perfectly cooked fish fillets with a golden-brown exterior and tender interior every time.
Even cooking: air fryers distribute heat evenly, ensuring consistent cooking. This eliminates the risk of undercooked or overcooked spots, making them ideal for frying delicate seafood like tilapia.
Fast results: with an air fryer, you can enjoy perfectly cooked fish in a fraction of the time compared to other methods.
Healthier recipes: air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food, requiring minimal to no oil compared to traditional frying methods. This results in significantly lower fat and a healthier tilapia recipe.
Nutritious diet: unlike deep frying, which strips foods of their nutrients due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and oil, air frying preserves the nutritional value of the ingredients. As a result, retains more of its essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Less mess and cleanup: traditional frying often involves large quantities of oil, leading to greasy splatters and a messy kitchen. On the other hand, air fryers need little to no oil, making cleaning a breeze.
Energy efficiency: air fryers typically consume less energy than ovens, making them more eco-friendly and economical.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Here's why I love this recipe and why you'll love it, too:

Family-friendly: tilapia's mild flavour and crispy texture make it an ideal option for even the pickiest eaters. This dish is perfect for busy days when you must get dinner on the table fast. Knowing that it's both nutritious and delicious, you can feel good about serving this wholesome meal to your loved ones.
Health benefits: tilapia is a low-calorie protein source and an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet. With minimal oil and healthy air fryer cooking, you can reduce your fat intake while introducing more seafood into your diet. Plus, this recipe goes with most diets as it's low-carb, gluten-free, keto, and paleo-friendly.
Super quick and easy to make: Requires just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time. In less than 20 minutes, you'll eat this delicious meal made from scratch with the essential ingredients you have at home.
Simply delicious: moist, flaky texture, with a crispy exterior and tender flesh, air fryer tilapia is what seafood dreams are made of! Εvery bite is a culinary delight, leaving you wanting more. Whether you're a seafood aficionado or just dipping your toes into the world of fish.

INGREDIENTS

Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this delectable air fryer tilapia recipe:

4 tilapia fillets, 4-6 ounces each
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese for topping

For Garlic Butter Sauce

40 grams of melted butter
¼ tablespoon parsley
¼ tablespoon salt
¼ tablespoon white pepper
2 cloves garlic minced
1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice

HOW TO COOK TILAPIA IN AIR FRYER

To start, preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F for 5 minutes.

Combine salt, ground white pepper, garlic powder, and ground black pepper in a mixing bowl.

Gently massage the spice mixture onto both sides of the fish.

Arrange the tilapia filets in the preheated air fryer basket.

Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.

While the fish cooks, we can prepare the garlic butter sauce. Mix melted butter, parsley, salt, ground white pepper, garlic, and lemon juice in a small bowl, then whisk thoroughly.

Once the fish is done, generously drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the fillets. Lastly, evenly sprinkle parmesan cheese on top for an extra burst of flavour. Enjoy your air fryer tilapia!

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST AIR FRYER TILAPIA RECIPE

Here are my favourite tips:

Pat dry: use paper towels to pat dry the fillets. This way, they'll absorb the seasoning better and crisp up instead of steaming in the air fryer.
Cook similar fillets: arrange fillets of the same size and thickness to cook in the same batch in the air fryer basket for even cooking.
Flip the fillets halfway through: flip the tilapia mid-cooking for even air frying on both sides. If you do this, be gentle, as the fish is quite delicate.

AIR FRYER TILAPIA VARIATIONS

While the basic recipe for air fryer tilapia is delicious on its own, feel free to experiment with different textures and flavours. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bread it: I love mixing grated parmesan and breadcrumbs for a crispy and cheesy crust around my fish fillets. For the best results, I use beaten eggs and seasoned flour to coat my fresh tilapia fillets so that the crust sticks better.
Increase the cooking time: For those desiring a charred tilapia fillet, extend the cooking time by a few minutes. However, this may impact moisture levels, resulting in drier fillets.
Make it bold: season your tilapia fillets with a blend of Cajun seasoning for a bold and zesty kick.
Add a Mediterranean essence: rub your fillets with a blend of dried herbs such as basil, thyme, and oregano, along with minced garlic and lemon zest, for the ultimate Mediterranean vibes.
Add a tangy glaze: combine honey, mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar to make a sweet glaze for tilapia fillets. Air fry until caramelized and serve with roasted vegetables for a hearty and satisfying meal.

GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE VARIATIONS

Want to switch things up a bit with your garlic sauce for air fryer tilapia? Here are some of my favourite variations:

Roasted Garlic: Add half a head of roasted garlic instead of fresh garlic for a fresh and tangy taste.
Honey: Combine with honey, for a sweet and savoury glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the tilapia fillets.
Herbs : Add some herbs like rosemary or oregano to make it taste more flavorful and aromatic.

HOW TO SERVE GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE WITH AIR FRYER TILAPIA?

Pair your air fryer tilapia with a side of garlic sauce for a delightful burst of flavour. Here are some serving suggestions to complement this delicious dish:

Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the tilapia fillets just before serving, allowing the rich flavours to melt on the delicate fish.
Serve the tilapia alongside a bowl of creamy garlic parmesan sauce for dipping.
Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary to elevate the presentation and add a pop of colour to the dish.

HOW TO STORE AIR FRYER TILAPIA

I always recommend immediately serving your air fryer tilapia for a crispy and mouth-watering meal. However, if you have leftovers, here's how to store them:

Leftover tilapia: store it in a plastic bag or an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Tilapia is a delicate fish and will take on smells easily. To avoid that, place it in a separate container, away from strong-scented side dishes.
Freezer: For optimal flavor and texture, it's recommended that you consume it right away and avoid freezing it, as the quality may be compromised.

HOW TO COOK FROZEN TILAPIA

Before you cook frozen tilapia, you must thaw it. This will prevent your fillets from becoming too crispy or burnt while the inside remains undercooked.

Place the frozen tilapia in the air fryer basket when thawed and reheat at 350°F/175°C for 5-7 minutes. If the tilapia is not yet cooked, you can increase the cooking time by 3 minutes.