Air Fryer Tilapia
Make this super easy air fryer tilapia recipe in just 10 minutes, using either fresh or frozen fish fillets. It’s a healthy fish dinner seasoned with a homemade blackened seasoning blend, that comes out perfectly tender, flavorful, and moist, every single time!

Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe
The air fryer makes cooking easy and fast, whipping up recipes like perfectly cooked pork chops, kielbasa, and even hard boiled eggs! So when I had to the thought to cook tilapia in the air fryer, I had a gut feeling it would turn out great.
I made the best blackened seasoning and tested out cooking tilapia in the air fryer. And what do you know, it turned out just as expected — it was amazing! This flaky fish had so much flavor and was cooked to perfection.
On bust weeknights, it can hard to get a healthy meal on the table that the whole family enjoys. But with air fryer tilapia, I know that I can serve a delicious dinner that is hearty and healthy.
And once your try this air fryer fish recipe, air frying will be your new favorite method of cooking. Skip the difficult methods of cooking white fish and make this incredibly easy air fryer tilapia. You won’t be dissapointed!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
An easy recipe that is actually a healthy option for dinner, what’s not to love? This tilapia air fryer recipe is going to be a success because:
- Air frying tilapia cooks it to tender, flakey perfection! Tilapia has a naturally mild flavor, so pairing it with bold homemade blackened seasonings and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice really brings it to life!
- This mostly hands-off recipe is perfect if you’re new to air fryer cooking, or are just looking for a quick and easy dinner! Simply season the fillets and lay them in the air fryer to cook, and dinner is ready in under 10 minutes.
- Tilapia is a nutritious choice because it’s a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals like calcium and selenium, and it’s low in fat. There’s no sugar or artificial ingredients added to the rest of the recipe, and it is Low Carb, Whole30, Paleo, and Gluten Free friendly!

Ingredients
These two simple ingredients are all that you need to make this easy air fryer tilapia recipe:
- homemade blackened seasoning : This seasoning mix is made with cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. However, tilapia is super versatile and pairs great with a variety of seasonings! You can easily modify the flavor when you use any other seasoning blend you enjoy. Cajun seasoning, Greek seasoning, zesty Italian seasoning, bold BBQ spices, or even simple salt and pepper would all work on tilapia.
- frozen fillets : Frozen fish fillets are a great option if you want something affordable. Frozen filets can be found at almost any grocery store and avoid the extra cost of fresh fish fillets. However, if you choose to buy fresh filets, then look for firm, pinkish-white flesh and a mild, fresh smell. You can also substitute any other white fish, like cod, halibut, or haddock.

How to Make Air Fryer Tilapia
Air frying tilapia is now one of my favorite ways to cook it. Follow these simple steps for the best results:
Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (204℃). If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, simply turn it on and wait about 3-4 minutes while it warms up.
Meanwhile, pat the tilapia fillets dry with a few paper towels on all sides. Then sprinkle generously with the blackened seasoning mix.
Use your hands to gently rub it into, coating the pieces of fish on all sides.

Spray the preheated air fryer basket with oil. Then, working in batches, place 1 to 2 tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer so that they don’t overlap. Spray the fish with a little oil for extra crispiness.
Close the air fryer and cook fish for 7 minutes. Watch closely near the end of cooking time to check and see if it needs more or less time. Different sizes tilapia filets may need different cook time.

Once the fish is cooked through and flakey, use a plastic spatula to carefully remove the, and set it on a plate. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top!
Repeat steps 2-3 and air fry tilapia until all the fish fillets are cooked. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite side dishes.

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Tilapia
Once the fish is completely cooled, transfer the leftover tilapia to an airtight container or plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat leftover fish, gently warm the it in the microwave or air fryer. For the microwave, place the tasty fish in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through. Reheat in an air fryer in a single layer at 300°F (148°C) for 3-4 minutes, until just warmed through and beginning to crisp on the top. It is important to reheat slowly, without continuing the cooking process, since fish can become overcooked and dry out very quickly.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Tilapia
Fish goes with pretty much anything. Dairy free mashed potatoes and air fryer roasted green beans tend to be my favorite go-to options, but there’s so many other things you can choose from. You could make some air fryer baby potatoes and honey roasted parsnips and carrots.
Or, keep things low carb by making purple cabbage and carrot slaw or Instant Pot cabbage.
A nice pasta salad, like lemon orzo pasta salad would be a lovely elegant pairing with this tasty fish dish!

Tips for Succes
- Don’t overlap the fish fillets in the air fryer. The hot air needs to be able to circulate around the food to cook it evenly. Instead, cook the food in batches.
- Don’t flip the fish halfway through cooking! Tilapia is so delicate that it will crumble if you flip it. It will still cook beautifully and evenly and will stay in one piece if you leave it until cooked through.
- Exact cook time will vary and depend on the thickness of the fish fillets and your individual air fryer. You may need to adjust the cooking time +/- 1 to 3 minutes.
- Stop cooking the tilapia once it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), to avoid overcooking it. The fish will be flakey when it’s cooked through. You can also check the temperature with a meat thermometer.
- To keep the fish from sticking, remember to spray the basket with olive oil spray or another cooking spray before each batch of fish is cooked.
FAQ
To keep fish from sticking, generously spray the basket with oil before adding the fish, or use special air fryer parchment liners in the basket.
Cooking at 400°F, it takes between 7-9 minutes to cook tilapia in the air fryer.
You can cook both fresh OR frozen tilapia. If you’re in a hurry, you can cook tilapia without thawing before air frying. Simply add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time.
First, unplug your air fryer. Wait for it to cool to room temperature. Soak the basket and pan in warm soapy water in the sink for 10-30 minutes. Scrub them gently until all the grease is removed. Let all the pieces air dry. Be sure to follow your air fryer’s user manual for any specific cleaning instructions.
More Healthy Fish Recipes
- Easy Salmon Stir Fry
- Blackened Flounder with Pineapple Salsa
- Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass
- Foil Wrapped Salmon
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.

Air Fryer Tilapia
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tilapia fillets 4-6 oz. each
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 3 Tablespoons blackened seasoning or mix together 1 Tbsp Cumin, 1 Tbsp Chili Powder, ⅓ Tbsp Paprika, 1 ⅓ tsp Onion Powder, 1 ⅓ tsp Garlic Powder, ⅓ tsp Oregano, ⅓ tsp Salt, ⅙ tsp Pepper
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (204℃). Meanwhile, pat the tilapia fillets with a few paper towels to dry them on all sides. Sprinkle the fish generously with the seasonings, using your hands to gently rub it in and coat each piece on all sides.
- Spray or drizzle the air fryer basket with oil. Working in batches, place 1 to 2 tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket so they don't overlap. Spray or drizzle the fish with a little extra oil for extra crispiness. Close the air fryer and cook for 7 minutes.
- Once the fish is cooked through and flakey, use a spatula to carefully remove and set it on a plate. Repeat steps 2-3 until all the fish fillets are cooked. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice on the plated fish.
Notes
- Cooking Frozen Tilapia: Preheat your air fryer, then spray the basket with oil. Season the fish and lay them in the basket without overlapping the pieces. Close the air fryer and cook for 9-12 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and flakey.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The fish should lay in a single layer without overlapping.
- Don’t flip the fish halfway through cooking! It will stay together better and still cook evenly.
- The exact cooking time will vary. You may need to adjust the cooking time +/- 1 to 3 minutes.
- Stop cooking the tilapia once it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), per USDA, to avoid overcooking it. The fish will be flakey and opaque when cooked through.
- To keep the fish from sticking, spray the basket again before each batch of fish is cooked.