This recipe for air fryer tilapia is a quick and easy meal that will get dinner on the table in 20 minutes. The air fryer cooks the fish perfectly, keeping it tender and flaky while giving it a nice crispy crust. Parmesan cheese and a simple seasoning blend give the fish a flavorful kick. You can even make this a low-carb dinner with a simple ingredient swap! 

Serve this parmesan-crusted tilapia with air fryer green beans and AF baby potatoes for a complete meal. 

Who doesn’t love fish and chips?! But dunking fish in a pot of hot oil is messy and isn’t the healthiest option. Instead, you can use an air fryer to make a healthy meal that the whole family will love!

As much as I love fried fish, I try to have a balance of healthy recipes in my menu plan. The air fryer is the best way to cook tilapia without sacrificing the flavor of a traditional fry. And this air fryer tilapia recipe is my favorite quick and easy way to make fish and chips when paired with air fryer Jojo’s or cheesy potato wedges. 

For more healthy air fryer recipes, check out these:

• Air fryer salmon fillets
• Extra juicy air fryer turkey burgers
• Air fryer tuna steaks
• Chicken tenders in the air fryer
• Chipotle air fryer pork chops

If you are looking for more healthy fish recipes, check out our grilled tilapia or whole salmon on the grill.

[ez-toc]

❤️ Here is Why This Recipe Works

• Tilapia is a flaky white fish that is easy to cook and only needs a few simple ingredients to prepare. This recipe only takes a few minutes, and it is perfect for busy weeknights. 
• Air fryer tilapia is a healthier and easier alternative to traditional fried fish and chips. With just a few simple steps, this recipe delivers that wonderful flavor you’d expect from fried fish without all the grease and mess.
• A flavorful seasoning mixture, parmesan cheese, and zesty lemon make a delicious coating on the tilapia filets that will have everyone asking for seconds – it’s guaranteed to be one of your favorite recipes! 
• The air fryer cooks tilapia perfectly, giving it a beautiful brown crust on the outside while keeping the delicate fish tender, flaky, and moist. 

Since tilapia has a mild flavor, you can pair it with just about anything for a delicious dinner. Here are just a couple of ideas: make tilapia fish tacos with guacamole, replace the beef in our stuffed potatoes, or sandwich it between bread rolls to make a fish burger (our donkey sauce is great with a burger).

🗒 The Ingredients

Here is a list of the ingredients for this air fryer tilapia recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details. 

• Tilapia. You can use frozen or fresh fish fillets, but for this recipe, you will need to thaw the fish so the parmesan batter can stick to the fish. 
  
• Flour. A light dusting of flour helps the egg batter stick to the fish. If you want to make this a low-carb meal, you can use coconut flour. 
  
• Eggs. The eggs give a base for the parmesan crust to adhere to the fish. 
  
• Parmesan cheese. Parmesan adds a flavorful coating and makes this dish relatively low in carbs as compared to a bread coating. 
  
• Spices and seasonings: Garlic powder, black pepper, salt, paprika, lemon zest. 

👨‍🍳 How to Make It

Here is a brief overview to see how to air fry tilapia. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

To get started, set up 3 shallow dishes and place the flour in one dish, whisked eggs in the second, and the Parmesan cheese and seasonings in the third dish.

😉 Tips for Success

• The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of your fish filets.
  
• Tilapia is finished cooking when it is no longer opaque and flakes easily. Since this is a flaky fish, it is easy to see when it is done. If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should register 145°F but don’t fret if you don’t have a thermometer.
  
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Keep the parmesan crusted tilapia in a single layer so they cook evenly. If you have a small basket, cook the fish in batches.
  
• For best results, line the air fryer with parchment paper. The cheesy coating tends to stick to the air fryer even if you use cooking spray. Amazon sells parchment paper that is made specifically for air fryers.
  
• We tested this recipe with several different types and brands of air fryers, and the cooking time varies between them. Test for doneness and add more time if needed.

🤔 Substitutions and Variations

The great thing about this fish is how adaptable it is. You can use a variety of herbs and spices to adjust the flavor, so it’s always different and never boring! Here are some ideas for more air fryer tilapia recipes.

• For a keto-friendly diet: This air-fryer tilapia recipe is perfect for a keto diet if you swap out the flour for coconut flour. Everything else in this recipe is low in carbohydrates.
  
• Honey mustard: Combine 3 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Skip the flour and egg dredge and coat the fish in the honey mustard, then cover it with the Parmesan coating.
  
• Make it spicy: Replace the spice mixture with our Cajun seasoning for a spicy flavor.
  
• Lemon pepper tilapia: Drizzle some melted garlic butter on the fish fillets, then sprinkle them with lemon pepper seasoning.

⏱️ Storage and Reheating

Store leftover tilapia in an airtight container for three days in the fridge or six months in the freezer.

To reheat, you can zap the fish in the microwave until heated through or pop it back in the air fryer for about 2 to 3 minutes. You can even reheat the Parmesan breaded tilapia from frozen for 10 to 12 minutes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🛠 Tools and Equipment

If you click on some of the following affiliate links and buy something, we might get a small commission. You don’t pay any extra, but it will help us keep the lights on and our bellies full!

• ThermoWorks Thermapen One for fast, one-second temperature readings. Get perfect results every time!
• The Pepper Cannon is amazing! I hate grinding pepper, but this thing makes it quick and easy!!
• This Ninja dual-basket air fryer is perfect for cooking multiple recipes at once.
• These OXO stainless steel mixing bowls are a must-have in every kitchen.
• John Boos butcher blocks are the most epic cutting boards.

🤤 Try These Awesome Recipes

Our air fryer cherry tomatoes make a great side dish with this tilapia dinner. The air fryer roasts the tomatoes and brings out their natural sweetness.

Try Butternut squash in the air fryer or AF baked potato with this healthy tilapia recipe. Both are delicious and make great accompaniments to the dish.

Save room for dessert. Try our air fried Oreos, air fryer brownies, or deep dish chocolate chip cookie bowls in the air fryer.

🎁 Wrap It Up

This air fryer tilapia is an easy and delicious way to enjoy a healthy fish dinner. This recipe will be a hit with the entire family with the flavorful parmesan coating and spice mixture. Plus, it is easy to make this a low-carb recipe by swapping the flour for coconut flour.

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

CONNECT WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL!

Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

Did you make this recipe? Tell us about it in the comments below!