Air Fryer Tilapia without breading

Equipment

• Air fryer (basket or oven style)
• Paper towels
• Pastry brush or oil mister
• Wide silicone spatulas or fish spatula

Ingredients

Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

• 4 fresh or thawed tilapia fillets (approx. 4–6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil (high smoke point oils work best)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for finishing)

Savory Herb & Spice Rub

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano or thyme
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder (optional, for mild heat)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Dry the Fillets Thoroughly: Use paper towels to pat both sides of the tilapia fillets until completely dry. Removing excess surface moisture is the key to getting a light crust without breading.
3. Oil and Season: Lightly brush both sides of each fillet with avocado oil or olive oil. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Evenly sprinkle the spice mix over both sides of the fish and rub gently to adhere.
4. Arrange in Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil spray. Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in a single layer in the basket, making sure they do not overlap. (Cook in two batches if your basket is small).
5. Air Fry: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 7 to 9 minutes . Thin fillets take about 7 minutes, while thicker cuts may take 8–9 minutes. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). There is no need to flip the fillets during cooking.
6. Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the fillets using a wide spatula. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 150 kcal — · Protein: 25 g 50% · Fat: 5 g 6% · Carbohydrates: 1 g 0% – Net · Saturated Fat: 1 g 5% Cholesterol 55 mg 18% · Sodium: 330 mg 14%