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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / 30 Minutes or Less / Chili Lime Tilapia in the Air Fryer or Oven (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)

Chili Lime Tilapia in the Air Fryer or Oven (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)

Last Updated on October 1, 2021 by Jean Choi 4 Comments

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Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

This tender and flaky chili lime tilapia is cooked to perfection in the air fryer or oven in under 15 minutes, for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Enjoy in tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or on its own!!

chili lime tilapia in a burrito bowl

I’ve recently started cooking with white fish more often. While I love how nutritious and flavorful salmon and tuna can be, the milder and cleaner taste of white fish like tilapia is always a crowd-pleaser. I also like that you can be more flexible with the variety of spices as well, like with this gluten free and paleo tilapia recipe.

Ingredients Needed

  • tilapia fillet: If you want to use another white fish, feel free to substitute.
  • chili powder
  • cumin
  • garlic powder
  • oregano
  • sea salt
  • ground black pepper
  • lime zest
  • lime juice

How to Cook Chili Lime Tilapia (2 Methods)

This healthy Whole30 tilapia is coated in a zesty and delicious chili lime spice mix. Tilapia is already quick and easy to cook in the oven, but it’s even faster air fried. Whatever method you choose, the spice coating gets blackened during the cooking process and the tilapia fillets turn out so perfectly flaky and moist!

coating air fryer tilapia with chili lime seasoning

How to Cook Tilapia In the Air Fryer

The air fryer is probably one of my favorite kitchen gadgets next to the Instant Pot. Not only can you cook things so much faster in it, the texture of the food always comes out amazing as well. And it did not disappoint with this deliciously spiced paleo tilapia recipe. Here’s how to cook tilapia in the air fryer:

  1. Most air fryers need to be preheated for 5-10 minutes in order for the food to cook properly. Mine doesn’t need to be, but I do it anyway for best results. Set it to 400 degrees F.
  2. Grease the air fryer basket or tray. This is important so the tilapia doesn’t stick. I use a cooking spray, but you can just brush oil on the grates.
  3. Pat dry the fish with paper towels.
  4. Make the spice mixture: In a small bowl combine the spices.
  5. Press the spice mixture into the tilapia fillets on all sides.
  6. Cook in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes until opaque and flaky.
  7. Sprinkle with lime juice before serving!

I’ve cooked the fish following this air fried tilapia method multiple times now, and the fish always comes out so perfect and delicious, without ever drying out.

easy baked tilapia sprinkled with lime juice

How to Oven Bake Chili Lime Tilapia

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can just use the oven instead to bake fish! It still takes less than 15 minutes of cook time in the oven, and the flavors and textures are fantastic. Just remember to coat the pan with oil like coconut oil or olive oil.

The instructions are exactly the same as air fryer tilapia, but you cook a bit longer for about 12-14 minutes. That’s it! Easy baked tilapia that’s delicious and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

paleo tilapia recipe

Ways to Serve Chili Lime Tilapia

This paleo and Whole30 tilapia recipe is full of zesty and spicy Mexican seasoning, so I like to enjoy in dishes that complement those flavors. Here are some ways to enjoy this gluten free chili lime tilapia:

  • in tacos
  • in burrito bowls
  • in salads
  • with rice or cauliflower Mexican rice
  • with cooked plantains
  • covered in salsa or mango salsa
  • with roasted veggies

It’s such flavorful and healthy dish that you can enjoy in so many different ways. Since it’s so easy and quick, I recommend you make just enough to serve without having leftovers. It’s hard reheat white fish without over-drying, and this chili lime tilapia tastes best fresh out of the air fryer or the oven!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen tilapia?

Yes! If you do plan to use frozen fish, increase the air frying cooking time to 12-13 minutes. For the oven method, it’ll be cook for 5 minutes longer than stated

How long should I cook the tilapia?

Depending on the thickness of the fish, it’ll cook through in 8-10 minutes in the air fryer, or 12-14 minutes in the oven.

How do I know when the tilapia is done?

The tilapia is done and ready to eat when it easily flakes with a fork.

Can I freeze or reheat this tilapia?

To freeze cooked tilapia, wait for it to cool completely. Store in a freezer-safe air-tight container for up to 4 months. When ready to eat again, defrost in the refrigerator completely before heating it up.

The best way to reheat leftover tilapia is to use the same method it was originally cooked with. Place back in the oven or the air fryer at the same temperature for up to 10 minutes until heated through.

flaky whole30 tilapia

If you enjoyed this keto and Whole30 tilapia recipe, you might also love…

  • Mustard Dill Walnut Crusted Alaska Salmon (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
  • Swordfish Steak with Creamy Lemon Basil Sauce
  • Start-Loving-Sardines Salad
  • Pan Seared Whole30 Scallops with Lemon Garlic Ghee (Paleo, Keto)
  • 5 Minute Broiled Salmon
  • Paleo Mahi Mahi in Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce (Whole30, Keto)

Chili Lime Tilapia (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)

This tender and flaky chili lime tilapia is cooked to perfection in the air fryer or oven in under 15 minutes, for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Enjoy in tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or on its own!
4.34 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: 30 minute paleo meals, 30 minute whole30 meals, air fryer tilapia, easy baked tilapia, how to cook tilapia in the air fryer, keto baked fish recipes, keto fish recipes, paleo tilapia recipe, tilapia in the air fryer, whole30 tilapia
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 178kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz tilapia fillets 6-8 oz each
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • Lime zest from 1 lime
  • Juice of ½ lime

Instructions

Air Fryer Method

  • If your air fryer needs preheating, preheat to 400 degrees F. Grease the air fryer basket or tray with your favorite cooking oil.
  • Pat dry the tilapia fillets with a paper towel.
  • In a small bowl, combine all the spices, except lime juice, and stir together.
  • Press the spice mix into the fish on all sides.
  • Cook the fish in the air fryer without touching each other for 8-10 minutes, until opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Drizzle with lime juice and serve immediately.

Oven Method

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a baking sheet with your favorite cooking oil.
  • Pat dry the tilapia fillets with a paper towel.
  • In a small bowl, combine all the spices, except lime juice, and stir together.
  • Press the spice mix into the fish on all sides.
  • Place the fish on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, until opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Drizzle with lime juice and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Chili Lime Tilapia (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
Amount Per Serving (1 cooked fillet)
Calories 178 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 85mg28%
Sodium 705mg31%
Potassium 571mg16%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 593IU12%
Calcium 33mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


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By Jean Choi | July 13, 2020

Comments

  1. Poop boy says

    February 11, 2021 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    i didn’t make it but i looks YUMMERS

    Reply
  2. Kara says

    July 3, 2021 at 9:20 am

    3 stars
    This was good, though a little too seasoned on the thinner part of the filet. I recommended focusing on the thicker parts of the fish with the bulk of the seasoning. Very good though!

    Reply
  3. Christiane DeSalvo says

    January 2, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    5 stars
    We made this tonight and it was so easy, light, delicious and flavorful. We opted for the baked version and the timing was perfect at 400 degrees for 13 minutes – the fish came out perfectly flakey and to drizzle of lime
    Juice highlighted the seasoning nicely. We paired with WhatGreatGrandmaAte’s Cauliflower Mexican Rice along with Sautéed Onions & Bell Peppers. Definitely will make again!

    Reply
  4. Natalie says

    January 26, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    This was very good thank you

    Reply

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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