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You are here: Home / AIR FRYER RECIPES / Air Fryer Tilapia

Air Fryer Tilapia

Mar 12, 2022 · Modified: Mar 12, 2022 by Foodies Terminal Leave a Comment 1978 words.

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Air Fryer Tilapia with a crispy panko parmesan crust is irresistible! You can make it under 15 mins and you’ll always get juicy, flakey fish. Make this panko crusted Tilapia with fresh or frozen fillets in your air fryer for a healthy, delicious meal at home.

Do check out our other Air Fryer Recipes!

air fryer tilapia with crispy panko crust on a black plate serve with spinach tomato salad, mustard sauce & forks.
Air Fryer Tilapia

Panko Crusted Tilapia

The crispy crunchy crust kicks up the flavor of this panko parmesan crusted tilapia and there’s very little oil involved!

If you are on a low carb diet you can easily skip the panko crust & make air fryer tilapia no breading recipe with just a few common seasonings. Read on to learn more!

The best part of this air fryer tilapia recipe is that you can make it with both – fresh & frozen thawed fillets and it lasts for quite sometime in the fridge. So easy to crisp it up in the air fryer without making the fish dry!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Find the Ingredients with actual measurements at the bottom of the post. The list below is just a reference.

recipe ingredients on a grey wooden board
Recipe Ingredients
  • Tilapia Fillets: I used frozen thawed tilapia fillets. However, you can use fresh fillets as well.
  • Seasonings: Old Bay seasoning, sweet paprika, ground black pepper powder, garlic powder & salt according to your personal taste preference.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: I used lightly toasted panko breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
  • Egg
  • All purpose flour: You can also sub the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutritional boost.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan works best in this recipe.
  • Fresh Parsley: Used as garnish.
  • Cooking oil spray: I always prefer using avocado oil cooking spray or olive oil cooking spray. You can use canola oil spray.
parmesan crusted air fryer tilapia on a grey plate garnished with lemon & parsley & broken with a fork
Best Tilapia recipe made in air fryer

Best Tips

  • Panko breadcrumbs: Lightly toast the panko breadcrumbs to achieve a gorgeous golden color panko crusted air fryer tilapia. The lightly toasted crumbs will also boost the crunch factor and elevate the flavor profile. I normally toast the bread crumbs over medium high heat in a skillet stirring them frequently so that they do not burn. You can also toast them in the oven.
  • Panko alternatives: If you don’t have panko crumbs, feel free to substitute toasted bread crumbs, crushed melba toast, or cracker meal. However, the result won’t be quite as crispy and fantastic. These alternatives will also require a bit more oil to achieve the right flavor.
  • Parmesan cheese: You can skip the parmesan if you are on a dairy free diet.
  • Egg alternative: If you are on an egg free diet just skip the add and stir about 2 tbsp flour in 4 tbsp water to form a smooth thin slurry. Coat the tilapia fillets in that instead of coating it in the egg batter. The rest of the recipe will remain the same.

How to Air Fry Tilapia?

Find the detailed step by step recipe along with measurements + Video at the bottom of the post.

Air fryer Tilapia with breading is easy to make. Here’s how to do it:

Step #1 Prep Tilapia fillets & panko

  • Prep Tilapia fillets: Rinse the fresh or frozen thawed tilapia fillets under running tap water. Pat them dry completely with the help of kitchen towels. Drizzle the lemon juice and coat the fillets with the juice. Season the fillets and coat them well both sides.
  • Prep panko: Dry roast the panko breadcrumbs on stove top in a skillet until uniformly golden in color. Add the parmesan cheese & the left over seasonings in the panko and whisk to mix well.

Step #2 Coat tilapia with panko parmesan crust

  • Coat tilapia fish: Coat the fish fillet in flour first, shake off excess flour. Than, dip it in whisked egg batter & coat both sides. Immediately place it on the parmesan panko bed and coat both sides very well until. You may gently press down the panko crumbs with your finger tips so that they cling to the surface of the fish well.

Step #3 Air Fry Tilapia Fillets

  • Air fry tilapia: Coat the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray. Place the panko crusted tilapia fillets. Spray oil on the fillets. Air fry at 400 F for 8 mins. Serve the crispy panko parmesan crusted tilapia immediately and enjoy!
two panko crusted tilapia fillets inside air fryer basket
Panko crusted Tilapia air fryer recipe

What do I serve with Tilapia Fillets?

We always prefer a light salad or a side of steamed veggies along with a small amount seasoned rice on the side to make this air fryer tilapia panko recipe a complete healthy meal. Here’s some of our favorite sides:

  • Instant Pot steamed broccoli.
  • Instant pot steamed carrots.
  • Instant Pot beets.
  • Instant pot green beans no steamer basket.
  • Easy cowboy caviar with avocado.
  • Air Fryer baby gold potatoes.
  • Chipotle cilantro lime rice instant pot.
  • 15 minute instant pot Mexican rice.
  • Perfect jasmine rice instant pot.

Storing Instruction

Fridge: This air fryer tilapia panko recipe will last for 4 days in the fridge. Store the fish in air tight containers or each fillet wrapped in aluminum foil.

Freezer: You can freeze the individual fillets by placing them on a parchment lined baking sheet first and than pop the frozen fillets in a large heavy duty freezer safe bag. They will last for 3 months in the freezer.

Reheating direction

Fridge: Reheat the fridge cold air fryer tilapia in the microwave oven until warm or hot. You can also use the air fryer to reheat the fillets uniformly and add a bit of crunch.

Frozen: Thaw the frozen fillets over night in the fridge and than follow the reheating direction shared above.

air fryer tilapia panko crusted garnished with parsley & lemon slices on a grey plate with a fork
Tilapia fillet recipe made in air fryer so crispy

FAQs

How do you cook fish without the air fryer sticking?

Spray cooking oil or brush cooking oil on the fish and also on the air fryer basket to prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket.

How long to cook tilapia in air fryer?

You can cook seasoned fresh tilapia fillets without breading for about 4 mins in the air fryer at 400 F. You can also air fry frozen tilapia fillets directly for about 12 mins at 400 F.

How do you know when tilapia is done cooking?

Fresh Tilapia is slightly translucent when it’s raw. When it’s cooked through, it will turn white and opaque. To check if the fish is completely cooked through, insert a fork at at the thickest part of the meat and twist gently. If it flakes, it’s done completely.

How do you get the dirty taste out of tilapia?

Rinse the tilapia several times under running tap water. Pat the fillets dry with a kitchen towel. Drizzle fresh lemon juice on top and let the fillets rest for 10-15 mins. This will take away the dirty taste out of tilapia.

How do you make tilapia not mushy?

Prevent over cooking tilapia for a long time to make tilapia not mushy. The correct cook time and temperature is the key for juicy and flaky tilapia fish fillets.

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I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you try this Air Fryer Tilapia recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I would love to hear how it turned out for you, or any changes you make. You can also follow me on Pinterest or subscribe our free NEWLETTER for new recipes every week!

air fryer panko crusted tilapia garnished with lemon slices & served with a salad on the side on a black plate with forks & mustard sauce

Air Fryer Tilapia

5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Rate
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Calories: 280kcal
Author: Meghna

Watch Recipe Video

Air Fryer Tilapia with a crispy panko parmesan crust is irresistible! You can make it under 15 mins and you’ll always get juicy, flakey fish. Make this panko crusted Tilapia with fresh or frozen fillets in your air fryer for a healthy, delicious meal at home.

Ingredients

  • 3 Tilapia Fillets (**I used frozen thawed fillets. You can use fresh fillets.)
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (**fresh squeezed lemon juice.)
  • 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 egg (**I used medium egg.)
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese (**grated parmesan cheese.)
  • ¾ cups Panko Bread crumbs (**lightly toasted. )
  • cooking oil spray (**I used avocado cooking oil spray.)

Seasonings

  • ½ tsp old bay seasoning
  • ½ tsp Paprika (**sweet paprika. DO NOT use smoked paprika.)
  • ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • ½ tsp Garlic Powder
  • Salt (to taste) (**use according to your personal taste preference.)
Want more Recipe Videos?Check out our Youtube channel!

Equipment Used

air fryer

Instructions

Prep Tilapia fillets

  • Rinse the tilapia fillets (fresh fillets or if frozen thaw them first). Pat them dry completely with the help of kitchen towels. Place them on a clean plate and drizzle the lemon juice on the fish fillets. Gently massage the fillets with your fingers to lightly coat them with the juice.
    patting dry the tilapia fillets with a kitchen towel
  • Now, whisk together all the dry seasonings (paprika, garlic powder, ground black pepper, old bay seasoning & salt). Sprinkle about 1.5 tbsp seasoning mix on the tilapia fillets and gently rub to coat the fillets very well both sides. Set them aside.
    seasoned tilapia fillets on a white plate

How to make the panko crust?

  • Lightly toast the panko bread crumbs over medium high heat in a skillet on the stove top until they turn golden in color. Stir frequently to prevent them from burning. Transfer them on a flat plate. Also, whisk the egg and place it on a pasta bowl or plate. Place the all purpose flour on a flat plate.
    toasted panko breadcrumbs in a skillet
  • Mix the remaining ½ tbsp seasoning mix and the grated parmesan cheese with the toasted panko crumbs.
    toasted panko in a white plate along with seasoning and grated parmesan
  • Form an assembling station on the kitchen countertop and place the plates in this order: All purpose flour, whisked egg & toasted panko. Coat the seasoned tilapia fillet both sides with the flour first, shake off excess flour. Than, dip the flour coated tilapia in the whisked egg (both sides). Immediately, coat the fillet both sides with the toasted panko breadcrumbs, press the crumbs lightly with your finger tips so that they stick to the surface of the fish and coat it uniformly. Repeat this process until you are done breading all the tilapia fillets.
    panko crusted tilapia fillets

Air Fry Tilapia

  • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray. Than place the panko crusted tilapia fillets in the basket. DO NOT overlap or stack the fillets. Place them in a single layer. I could about 2 fillets at a time.
    panko crusted tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket
  • Spray the fish with cooking oil spray. Air fry at 400 F for 8 mins. Serve immediately for best crispy texture and enjoy!
    air fried panko parmesan crusted tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket

Notes

  • Tips, steps, detailed ingredients substitutions: You can find these in the post body. Just scroll up. 
  • Can I use regular panko instead of toasted panko: Yes, you can definitely use it but you won’t achieve the gorgeous golden colored crispy crust in that case. For an uniform golden crust you need to toast the panko. You can toast it ahead and store it in an air tight container. It’ll last for 1 month on the kitchen countertop.
  • Fresh or frozen tilapia fillets: You can use any. For frozen fillets you need to thaw them first. You can either thaw them overnight in the fridge or place them in a bowl of warm water and allow them to rest for 1-2 hours or until thawed.
  • Gluten free crust option: For a gluten free crust skip the panko and coat the seasoned tilapia fillets with almond flour. The rest of the recipe will remain the same. You can also toast the almond flour lightly and than use it to coat the fish. This will add so much flavor and extra crunch.
  • Can I skip the oil: Yes, if you are on a low oil diet just skip spraying the panko crusted tilapia with cooking oil spray before air frying. The cook time won’t change.
  • Can I make it spicy: Yes, of course. Just add red pepper flakes into the seasoning mix. You can also serve the crispy air fryer tilapia with sriracha sauce or any hot sauce for extra heat.
 
Calorific details are provided by a third party application & are to be used as indicative figures only. If you are on a restrictive diet please use your own preferred nutritional calculator.
 
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Tilapia
Amount Per Serving
Calories 280 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 142mg47%
Sodium 273mg12%
Potassium 597mg17%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 40g80%
Vitamin A 280IU6%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 99mg10%
Iron 2mg11%
* Read our privacy policy – Calorie information is provided as a courtesy only and should be leveraged as an estimate rather than a guarantee.Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 273mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2mg
Course :Main Course
Cuisine :American
Keyword :Air fryer tilapia, air fryer tilapia panko, air fryer tilapia with breading, panko crusted tilapia, panko parmesan crusted tilapia, tilapia air fryer, tilapia in air fryer
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