Air Fryer Tilapia
With fresh citrus, herbs, and Parmesan in the topping, this non-fishy-tasting Air Fryer Tilapia recipe is one that kids and adults alike love. Plus, this weeknight meal is budget-friendly and only takes minutes to cook thanks to the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (sub: full-fat Greek yogurt)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup minced parsley (sub: 1 tablespoon dried parsley or other fresh herbs like minced dill, chives, or basil)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon celery salt
- 2 pounds tilapia fillets, completely thawed (6 filets)
- Salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make Topping: In a small mixing bowl, stir together the Parmesan, butter, mayo, lemon zest and juice, fresh herbs, black pepper, garlic powder, and celery salt until combined. Set aside.
- Prep Tilapia: Pat tilapia fillets dry. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. Generously spread the Parmesan topping over the tilapia pieces (I use the back of a spoon).
- Air Fry & Serve: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Working in 2 or 3 batches, air fry 2-3 filets at a time for 6-8 minutes. (Do not flip.) Serve warm with lemon wedges on the side and fresh chopped parsley on top (optional).
Freezer Instructions
Freeze For Later: Follow Step 1. Place this mixture in a quart-sized freezer bag or small freezer container and seal. Freeze alongside the frozen tilapia filets (if not already frozen, then place the fish in a gallon-sized freezer bag).
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the Parmesan mixture and the tilapia (preferably in the refrigerator overnight). Then, follow the cooking instructions starting with Step 2.
Notes/Tips
- Consider using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet, and it should register 145°F (63°C) when fully cooked.
- Surprisingly, leftovers are really good.
- Want to use the oven? Use our Parmesan Broiled Tilapia recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 filet | Calories: 294 kcal (15%) | Carbohydrates: 2 g (1%) | Protein: 33 g (66%) | Fat: 17 g (26%) | Cholesterol: 103 mg (34%) | Sodium: 374 mg (16%) | Fiber: 0.1 g | Sugar: 0.04 g
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