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Deliciously crispy air fryer tilapia served on a plate with lemon and herbs

Air Fryer Tilapia

A quick and delicious meal featuring tender tilapia fillets seasoned to perfection and served with a rich lemon garlic butter sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the tilapia
  • 4 pieces tilapia fillets (4-6 ounces each)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic
For the sauce
  • 1/4 cup butter (melted)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon parsley

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray.
  2. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel, then season them by mixing salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic. Rub the mix evenly onto the fillets.
Cooking
  1. Place the seasoned tilapia fillets into the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re spaced out for even cooking. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Air fry for about 7 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
Serving
  1. Once the fish is done, brush the lemon garlic butter sauce generously over the top of the fillets.

Notes

Serve with a fresh salad or warm, crusty bread. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. For a light twist, use fresh herbs like basil or dill in the sauce.