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Use this 15-minute Ninja Air Fryer Tilapia recipe with garlic butter to air fry tilapia quickly and easily. It uses just a few spices and doesn’t require flipping. This seafood main dish is perfect for two in a regular air fryer. Or, you can make double for a family using an air fryer oven. Enjoy this with my keto creamed spinach, air fryer asparagus, or ninja foodi cabbage to make a meal.
Why Make Ninja Air Fryer Tilapia
Here are a few reasons why you should use this recipe for cooking tilapia:
- Quick to make: this air fryer tilapia recipe is ready in 15 minutes.
- Easy recipe with no fuss: This delicious tilapia comes together with simple ingredients. That said, simply gather up a few spices, season and air fry. There is no need to flip this fish. Plus, you can use parchment paper in your air fryer to make clean-up even easier. So, make this delicious air fryer fish recipe as a delicious dinner on busy weeknights or on lazy weekends that your whole family will enjoy!
Ingredients Needed
- Tilapia Filets: I’m using thawed, fresh tilapia fillets. I used two 6-8 oz filets, but you can use smaller filets so that two fit in the basket, if necessary. Depending on what’s available, you can leave the skin on or remove it.
- Garlic Butter: this is a homemade recipe that I use on my air fryer steak and garlic butter air fryer chicken thighs.
- Olive oil: I’m using regular olive oil or avocado oil.
- Seasoning: this recipe is really flexible. When I make this, I use my Cajun seasoning (which includes garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper) or lemon pepper seasoning.
- Parmesan Cheese: this recipe works best with the fresh grated parmesan cheese that you can find in the refrigerated section of the market.
How to Cook Tilapia in the Air Fryer
- Pat dry all sides of the fish with paper towels.
- Drizzle the tilapia filets with olive oil. Top with cajun seasoning and parmesan cheese (spread this as evenly as possible)
- Add the fish to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- For best results, turn your air fryer on at 400 degrees for a cooking time of 8-9 minutes. No need to flip.
- Plate the fish and top with melted garlic butter.
Top Cooking Tips & FAQs
- To make the fish easier to lift out, add air fryer parchment paper liners or 8-inch round parchment paper to your air fryer basket. You can also spray the bottom of the basket with olive oil spray or cooking spray to help your fish not stick.
- Skin is optional: Depending on your store, your fish may come with skin on one side. If it does (or does not), both work in this recipe.
- Adjust time for the size of your fish: the time to cook tilapia in an air fryer depends on the size of the fish. One benefit of using an air fryer is that you can always pop it open to check on your food. Cook your fish until it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. You can start checking for doneness around the 7-minute mark.
- Optional: For an extra burst of flavor, gather a few lemon wedges to squeeze fresh lemon juice over your tender fish before eating.
How to Store Leftover Tilapia
If you have leftovers of this easy air fryer tilapia recipe, the best way to store them is in an airtight container for next time (up to 5 days).
This depends on the type of fish and whether the fish is fresh or frozen. But the range is generally between 5-9 minutes.
Yes! I use an air fryer to make tilapia, but I’ve also used it to make air fryer salmon, air fryer frozen salmon, air fryer salmon bites, and cod.
I personally haven’t tried frozen tilapia in the air fryer.
Fresh tilapia takes about 8 minutes to cook, depending on the size of your fish.
Recipes to Enjoy This With
Pair this Ninja Foodi Tilapia with the following easy side dishes:
- Easy Cauliflower Rice Pilaf Recipe
- Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Easy Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe
More Air Fryer Fish & Seafood Recipes
- Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
- Air Fryer Keto Crab Cakes
- Air Fryer Lobster Tails
- Salmon Bites
If you try this recipe, please stop back and leave it a star rating and/or a review in the comments. Stay connected & share photos of your creations with me & others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Ninja Air Fryer Tilapia
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Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Tilapia filets, Fresh and thawed. I used two 6-8 oz filets, but you can use smaller filets so that two fit in the basket if necessary.
- 2 tbsp garlic butter, click for the recipe
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, click for the recipe or use lemon pepper seasoning, add more to taste
- 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese, fresh grated
Instructions
- Drizzle the tilapia fillets with olive oil.
- Top with cajun seasoning and parmesan cheese (spread this as evenly as possible)
- Optional: to make the fish easier to lift. Add air fryer parchment paper liners to your air fryer basket.
- Add the fish to the air fryer basket.
- Air Fryer at 400 degrees for 8-9 minutes. No need to flip.
- Plate the fish and top with melted garlic butter.
Recipe Notes
- To make the fish easier to lift out, add air fryer parchment paper liners or 8-inch round parchment paper to your air fryer basket.
- Skin is optional: Depending on your store, your fish may come with skin on one side. If it does (or does not), both work in this recipe.
- Adjust time for the size of your fish: the time to cook tilapia in an air fryer depends on the size of your fish. One benefit of using an air fryer is that you can always pop it open to check on your food. Cook your fish until it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. You can start checking for doneness around the 7 minute mark.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used. The keto sweeteners I use have 0g net carbs & are not included because sugar alcohols do not impact most people. This is provided as a courtesy, but you can do your own calculations if you wish!
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