Air Fryer Fish Tacos
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Air Fryer fish tacos are a great option when you want something fresh and flavorful without spending all evening in the kitchen. The tilapia cooks quickly in the air fryer, the slaw is fresh and creamy, and everything gets piled into warm tortillas for an easy weeknight win!
Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite
These air fryer fish tacos are quick to make, full of flavor, and don’t require a lot of clean-up. The tilapia turns out flaky, tender, and perfectly seasoned, while the yogurt-based slaw adds brightness without being heavy. It’s an easy fish taco recipe that I think your family will love just as much as mine does!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! I’ve made the dish countless times to save you from a failed attempt.
- Pat the fish dry first. Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning stick and gives the fish better color in the air fryer.
- Don’t overload the basket. Cooking the fish in a single layer helps it cook evenly.
- Add a little crema at a time. Mixing in just a little crema keeps the slaw crisp, with extra left for drizzling on top of the tilapia tacos.
If your family loves fish, you should also check out my recipes for blackened flounder and salmon stir fry! I top the flounder with a seriously delicious fresh pineapple salsa.
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This easy fish dinner starts with tilapia or another mild white fish, brushed with olive oil and seasoned with chili powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. The seasoning is simple but flavorful.
For the slaw, Greek yogurt is mixed with fresh cilantro (or parsley), lime juice, and salt to make a tangy crema. That gets lightly tossed with coleslaw mix for crunch. Everything is served in small flour or corn tortillas, ready to be filled and drizzled.
How to Make Air Fryer Fish Tacos
This is just a summary. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full step by step instructions! ⬇️
Jump to RecipeStart by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. If your model doesn’t have a preheat setting, it’s okay… Just turn it on about 5 minutes before you put the fish in to cook.
- Prep the fish. Pat the tilapia dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning to stick. Brush the fish lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning evenly on both sides.
- Air fry the fish. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then lay the fish in a single layer. If it doesn’t all fit comfortably, just cook it in batches. After 5 minutes of air frying, use a spatula to carefully flip the pieces over.
- Make the slaw. While the tilapia is air frying, mix up the slaw for the fish tacos. Add a spoonful of the dressing and toss lightly so you don’t drown the coleslaw. Save the rest for drizzling.
- Warm and assemble. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or the microwave until they’re soft and flexible. Divide the fillets between the tortillas, top with slaw, drizzle with extra dressing, and serve right away.
Make it kid friendly: Break the tilapia into smaller pieces before serving so the fish tacos are easier to hold and eat!
Tilapia Tacos Recipe FAQs
Of course! You can make air fryer fish tacos using a different type of white fish, like cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi. Even salmon is delicious in fish tacos!
The coleslaw dressing can be mixed a day or two ahead, then keep it in the refrigerator. Wait to toss the slaw until just before serving so it stays crisp. I also recommend cooking the fish right before serving.
Store leftover fish and slaw separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the fish in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes, or in 30-second intervals in the microwave, until warmed through. Assemble the tacos fresh for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
The tacos are great on their own, but a few simple sides can round out the meal.
- Rice: Serve with cilantro-lime rice or jasmine rice on the side.
- Beans: Add black beans or pinto beans for something hearty and filling.
- Fresh Sides: A simple salad with lemon vinaigrette and avocado slices pairs well with fish tacos, too.
If you make this recipe, please give it a star rating and leave a comment below to let me know how it went!
Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds tilapia or other white fish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- oil spray
Slaw for Tacos
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, finely chopped or minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice divided, plus more to taste
- 10 ounces coleslaw mix
- 1 pinch sea salt or more/less, to taste
For Serving
- 6 small tortillas flour or corn
Instructions
- Preheat or turn on the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the fish dry with paper towels and brush lightly with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, mix the chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the fish, pressing gently so it sticks.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the fish in a single layer in the basket (cook in batches if needed) and mist the tops with oil.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish is golden, flaky, and cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, 1 tablespoon lime juice and a pinch of salt. Add a spoonful of the yogurt crema mixture and toss lightly to coat. *Do not add all of the crema to the slaw or it will be too soggy. Reserve the rest for drizzling over the tacos.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or in a microwave until soft and pliable. Break the fish into bite-sized pieces and divide among tortillas.
- Top each tilapia taco with slaw, drizzle with extra crema, and serve right away.
Notes
- This recipe works well with any type of white fish, such as cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi.
- If the crema is too thick to drizzle, you can thin it with a splash of lime juice or water.
