Air Fryer Tilapia
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Jun. 10, 2025
My entire family appreciates that this Air Fryer Tilapia is beautifully browned on the outside and flaky on the inside. It’s seasoned just right and finished with a quick lemon garlic butter sauce everyone loves.
In This Article
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Video: Watch Me Make Air Fryer Tilapia
Amy’s Notes
I’m all about quick, healthy dinners that don’t skimp on flavor, and this Air Fryer Tilapia delivers every time. Not to mention my husband and all the boys inhale this dish.
- Quick and Perfectly Cooked: This tilapia cooks in just 6 minutes in the air fryer and comes out perfectly flaky with a light, crisp finish every time.
- Bold Flavor, No Fuss: The quick lemon garlic butter sauce makes it feel extra special with hardly any effort, similar to our Lemon Garlic Swordfish.
- Skip the Breading and Deep Frying: This dish is naturally light and packed with protein, perfect for clean eating goals, just like this Lemon Pepper Shrimp.
- No Need to Turn on the Oven: I love using the air fryer because it keeps my kitchen cool and cleanup simple. Once the fish goes in, I don’t have to hover, like with my Air Fryer Salmon.
- Pairs with Everything: This dish goes great with a side of Cilantro Lime Rice or a crisp Chopped Greek Salad. I always add lemon wedges at the table for a bright finish.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Tilapia Fillets – Mild, flaky, and quick-cooking, tilapia is the perfect fish for air frying. It’s light-tasting with a clean flavor that takes on the flavor of whatever seasoning you use.
- Old Bay Seasoning – A classic seafood blend that adds bold, savory flavor with just the right touch of spice.
- Garlic & Onion Powder – These pantry staples deepen the seasoning mix and the lemon butter sauce with warm, savory notes.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Seasoning Swap: Instead of Old Bay, you can use a mixture of: 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, and ¼ tsp black pepper.
- Crispy Coating: For a crispier texture, lightly dredge the seasoned fish in panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes before air frying. Spray the top with a little oil for even browning.
- Spicy Version: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the seasoning mix for a subtle kick. For more heat, stir a dash of hot sauce into the butter sauce.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Pat dry the tilapia fillets. This step is super important, as excess moisture causes fish to steam instead of brown.
- Combine the seasonings in a bowl.
- Spray both sides of fillets with cooking spray and season.
- Air fry tilapia for 6 minutes, or just until cooked through.
- Combine sauce ingredients in a small, microwavable dish to heat up.
- Pour sauce over air fried tilapia and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Season Ahead: You can prep the tilapia up to 1 day in advance. Pat the fillets dry, season both sides, and store in a sealed container in the fridge.
- Make the Sauce Early: The lemon garlic butter sauce can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Just reheat gently in the microwave before serving.
What To Serve with Air Fryer Tilapia
Starches
- We love serving Air Fryer Tilapia with a scoop of Cilantro Lime Rice. The zesty, herby flavor pairs perfectly with the lemon garlic sauce and flaky white fish.
- It also goes great with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or a side of Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice when we want something classic and comforting.
Veggies and Salads
- This tilapia is light and flavorful, so we love pairing it with something fresh like Easy Roasted Veggies. The roasted edges and variety of textures round out the plate nicely.
- It also goes great with Broccoli Apple Salad or Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad for a cool, vibrant side that balances the warmth of the fish.
Drinks
- We love sipping a Mango Cocktail with Air Fryer Tilapia. It’s fruity, tropical, and a great match for the citrus butter sauce.
- It also goes great with a refreshing glass of Summer Sangria or 3-Ingredient Lemonade Margaritas to keep things bright and summery.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Tilapia
I love how this Air Fryer Tilapia turns out crisp on the outside and flaky on the inside. Plus, it’s seasoned just right and finished with a quick lemon garlic butter sauce that takes it up a notch.
Ingredients
For the Tilapia:
- 4 tilapia fillets, 4oz each
- 1 ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ onion powder
For the Sauce:
- 3 TB salted butter
- 1 TB lemon juice
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- freshly chopped parsley, chives, or lemon slices (optional garnishes)
Instructions
- Use clean paper towels to thoroughly pat-dry tilapia to remove as much excess liquid as you can. Spray both sides of fillets generously with cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Spray both sides of tilapia fillets with cooking spray and firmly press seasoning mixture onto both sides of fillets.
- If needed, preheat air fryer to 400F and spray basket with cooking spray. Arrange fish in a single layer on basket; do not overcrowd. Cook for 6 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by microwaving butter in a small dish until melted. Add lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- When fish is done cooking, transfer to serving plates and pour lemon garlic sauce on top. Garnish as desired and serve.
Notes
- Use clean paper towels to thoroughly pat the tilapia dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps the fish cook evenly and prevents it from steaming.
- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, you can substitute it with a simple blend of 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Instead of using cooking spray, you can brush olive oil directly onto both the fish and the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the fillets in a single layer without overlapping. Overcrowding the basket can cause uneven cooking and prevent the fish from crisping.
- To safely remove the delicate fillets after cooking, use a large rubber spatula along with a pair of tongs to gently lift and support each piece.
- This recipe is part of our Air Fryer Recipes Collection.
- We love serving Air Fryer Tilapia with a scoop of Cilantro Lime Rice and some Air Fryer Broccoli on the side.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 534mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
It depends on your air fryer model. Some require preheating, while others don’t. If yours does, set it to 400°F before adding the tilapia to ensure even cooking.
How can I keep the fish from sticking to the basket?
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil before placing the fish. This helps the fillets lift out easily after cooking.
Can I use frozen tilapia fillets?
Yes, but make sure they are fully thawed and towel-dried before seasoning and cooking. Too much moisture can cause the fish to steam instead of crisping.
How do I prevent the fish from falling apart when removing it from the air fryer?
Use a large rubber spatula and a pair of tongs to gently lift the fillets. This gives better support and helps keep the delicate fish intact.
How long does the air fryer tilapia recipe keep?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to maintain the best texture.
More to Cook And Eat
- Honey Glazed Salmon – This Honey Glazed Salmon is a zesty, sweet, and savory dish that’s full of flavor. It’s a super easy, delicious way to enjoy healthy salmon. Bonus: Learn what to look for when buying salmon.
- Pan Seared Halibut – Light, flaky, and buttery, this pan seared Halibut recipe is both delicious and healthy. In less than 20 minutes, you can have the best seafood recipe that’s sure to impress!
- 15-Minute Steamed Fish, Chinese Style – This easy recipe for This Chinese Style Steamed Fish is spectacularly delicious and healthy. It comes together in just 15 minutes and you don’t even need a steamer.
- Pan Seared Tilapia – When fish is cooked correctly, it’s tender, flaky, and deliciously flavorful.