Air Fryer Tilapia with Garlic Butter

A beginner-friendly recipe for lean, mild tilapia fillets cooked in an air fryer with a rich, savory garlic butter seasoning, featuring citrus brightness and subtle warmth.

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Paper towels
• Small microwave-safe bowl
• Silicone pastry brush
• Olive oil spray
• Digital meat thermometer (optional)
• Wide, thin spatula
• Serving platter

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets (~1.25 lbs total)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves fresh garlic (finely minced)
• 1.5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 4 lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
2. Remove tilapia fillets from packaging and thoroughly pat both sides dry with paper towels.
3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
4. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of the fillets with the mixture using a silicone pastry brush or clean hands. Reserve about one tablespoon of the garlic butter blend for basting.
5. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the fillets in a single, even layer with at least 1/2 inch of space between them. If the basket cannot fit 4 fillets without overlapping, cook in two separate batches.
6. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7 to 9 minutes (or 9–11 minutes for extra-thick fillets). At the 5-minute mark, pull out the basket and gently brush the tops of the fillets with the reserved garlic butter mixture.
7. Check for doneness: the flesh should be opaque and flake easily with a fork, or register an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
8. Use a wide, thin spatula to lift the fillets onto a warm serving platter. Rest for 1–2 minutes.
9. Garnish immediately with freshly chopped parsley and serve alongside lemon wedges.

Notes

If using frozen tilapia, thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight or in a cold water bath for 20 minutes before patting dry. For a spicier kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the garlic butter blend. Pair with steamed jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, roasted asparagus, garlic parmesan green beans, or a crisp garden salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 235 kcal · Total Fat: 12.5 g · Saturated Fat: 5.8 g · Trans Fat: 0.2 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 4.6 g · Cholesterol: 78 mg · Sodium: 490 mg · Total Carbohydrates: 1.8 g · Dietary Fiber: 0.4 g · Sugars: 0.3 g · Protein: 29.5 g · Potassium: 445 mg · Calcium: 28 mg · Iron: 0.9 mg · Vitamin A: 380 IU · Vitamin C: 4.5 mg