Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe From Fresh or Frozen + Video

Crispy on the outside, moist inside, delicious parmesan-crusted air fryer tilapia recipe that you can make using fresh or frozen fillets, with no thawing. At 2 grams net carbs per serving, this recipe is keto and low-carb, with a paleo option. Don't forget to check out the video for this recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this page!!

Jump to:

• What Makes This Recipe So Good
• Equipment and Ingredient Notes
• How to make Frozen or Fresh Tilapia using the Air Fryer
• Method 1: Using fresh Tilapia
• Method 2: How to Air Fry Frozen Tilapia Fillets
• Substitutions
• What to Serve With
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Tips from the Chef
• More Air Fryer Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

I mentioned how I recently got an air fryer and how much I love it! This is the second recipe I have made using this wonderful gadget. My first one was an air fryer chicken schnitzel (cutlets) recipe, and I am so happy at the love you guys are showing it!!

Back to the topic, make sure to check out this pickled fish with cod recipe, if you love fish as much as I do, and seek a simple flavorful recipe!

What Makes This Recipe So Good

• Delicious - the parmesan-crusting, lemon pepper, as well as the other ingredients give this dish a delightful taste plus, it can be served with so many side dishes!
• Quick - very easy to prepare, making it perfect for when you want to have a quick dinner.
• Fresh or frozen - the recipe is all-inclusive, so you can easily decide how you prefer to cook it.
• Low carb and Keto - at 2g net carbs per serving, this recipe is both low carb and keto, hence perfect for those watching their carb intake. It also has a paleo option.

Equipment and Ingredient Notes

*This post may contain affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.

I used a Ninja foodi 8 Quart Pressure Cook, Air Fry, and Crisp for this recipe, but any type of air fryer will do. Regarding ingredients, here is a list of what you will require.

• olive oil
• yellow mustard
• lemon pepper
• smoked paprika
• garlic powder
• salt
• parmesan cheese
• chopped chives or Italian seasoning
• black pepper
• lemon - to serve
• some cooking oil - brush or spray this on the basket, to prevent the fish fillets from sticking on the surface.

How to make Frozen or Fresh Tilapia using the Air Fryer

Making air fryer tilapia is actually way easier than you could ever imagine:-

• Brush or spray the air frying rack or basket with some cooking spray or oil (this makes cleaning up later much easier, as it basically results in less sticking), and preheat the air fryer to 392F/ 200C for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the olive oil and yellow mustard in a small bowl or cup, then set aside.

• Mix lemon pepper, smoked paprika, ground garlic, salt, parmesan cheese, chopped chives (or Italian seasoning), and black pepper in a plate.

Depending on the state of the fillets you are using, simply proceed on to follow one of the following methods:-

Method 1: Using fresh Tilapia

Now, this is a method that I and principally anyone who has air-fried tilapia will recommend as a better method, due to the fact that the fresh tilapia can absorb the seasoning better, therefore resulting in more flavourful fillets. (I however know that there are certain times where this may not pass due to time constraints, so no judging here if you prefer to make yours from frozen)!

To make fresh air fryer tilapia, brush the fillets with the previously prepared olive oil and mustard then lay each piece on the plate with the seasoned parmesan cheese crumbing and press to coat. Flip then press again, shaking off any excess coating.

Still using the 200C / 392F temperature, set the time at 7 minutes for small fillets and 10 minutes for larger and thicker ones. Depending on the size of your basket or rack, place two to three of the parmesan-crusted tilapia fillets in the basket, set it in place then close.

Allow the fish to air fry then use a spatula to turn the fillets midway through cooking, at the 4th or 5th-minute mark, respectively. Have the tilapia cook further for the remaining time until cooked through, then repeat the process with the other fillet(s). Because of the way the air fryer cooks food, you actually do not need to turn them halfway through but I find they cook more evenly this way. Just make sure to check on them midway through cooking.

Serve the air-fried tilapia fillets with a squeeze of lemon juice, and your preferred side dish. I like to serve mine with some celeriac fries, mashed cauliflower, or a side salad.

Method 2: How to Air Fry Frozen Tilapia Fillets

The advantage that comes with making frozen tilapia in the air fryer is that no thawing is needed, which means you get to save a huge amount of time. To cook from frozen, follow the following steps:

Program the air fryer at 392F/ 200C and set the time to 5 minutes. Lay the frozen fillets on the basket or rack and air fry so they slightly thaw. Next, carefully remove the fillets from the basket or rack and transfer them to a plate. Working quickly, brush the fillets with the prepared olive oil and mustard, then coat with the seasoned parmesan cheese and press to combine, shaking off any excess coating.

Place the fillets back in the rack or basket, cook for 5 minutes then use a spatula to flip. Air fry for a further 5 minutes. It is important to check midway through cooking if done. To do this, insert a fork on the thickest part of the fish at an angle and gently twist. It should be flaky and should have lost its translucent appearance. Depending on the type and thickness of fish you are using, you may need to cook the tilapia fillets for an additional 2-4 minutes, when the time above is over.

Once done, transfer to plates and serve with some lemon wedges, alongside your favorite sides.

Substitutions

• Paleo option: to make paleo air fryer tilapia, replace the parmesan cheese with a cup of cassava or arrowroot flour.
• Seasoning: Lemon pepper and Italian seasoning work great for this recipe but you can also substitute them for your favorite seasoning. The following spices are all great to use in seasoning tilapia:

• Tarragon
• Parsley
• Cumin
• Onion powder
• Cinnamon

What to Serve With

Just like your regular oven-baked fish, you can serve your parmesan-crusted fish with a variety of side dishes:-

• Vegetables - serve with vegetables such as creamed spinach, collard greens, steamed broccoli or green beans.
• Rice - serve it with regular rice or some low carb rice alternatives such as konjac rice.
• French fries (or chips, if you call them that in the part of the world you are in)!
• Baked potatoes, mashed white or sweet potatoes with gravy, yum!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few common questions related to this recipe.

Tips from the Chef

• You can use other types of fish such as cod, sole or salmon. Just keep in mind that you may have to adjust the cooking time, depending on the thickness of the fish.
• To avoid spoiling your air fryer, do not use aerosols sprays. Instead, fill a sprayer bottle with a healthy high smoke point cooking oil such as coconut oil and use this as a cooking spray.
• Just like most breaded or crumbed fish recipes, these tilapia fillets are best consumed immediately. You can keep and consume the cooked fish in the fridge within 3 days, but it will not taste as good once stored longer. Also, make sure to use suitable airtight containers. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
• Air Fryer Kale Chips
• Air Fried Zucchini Fries

📖 Recipe