Easy Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe (Fresh or Frozen!)

4.34 from 3 votes

Easy Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe (Fresh or Frozen!)

This tender and flaky chili lime air fryer 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!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

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

Servings: 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.

Notes

Serving Tips

This air fryer 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 serve and enjoy it:

for fish tacos
in burrito bowls
in salads
with rice or cauliflower Mexican rice
with cooked plantains
covered in salsa or mango salsa
with roasted vegetables

It's such flavorful and healthy dish that you can enjoy in so many different ways and with your favorite side dishes. 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 tastes best fresh out of the air fryer or the oven!

Storage Tips

Leftovers: It’s best served right away, however, if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat and use in burritos, tacos, rice bowls, and more.

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

Reheating: 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.

Nutrition