This air fryer tilapia is absolutely the healthiest and easiest way to fry fish to perfection! It's a cheap and easy meal making it great for those busy weeknights, but has the taste and wow factor to make for a special meal, too. It's low-carb and keto-friendly.
Making your own fried fish is easier than you think, and with the help of air fryer tilapia may become a meal you add to your regular rotation.
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Air Fryer Tilapia
Do you like the taste of fried fish but are concerned about the health factor? Then this air fryer whole fish is the perfect solution for you.
This air fryer tilapia is the best way to cook fish for the health-conscious eater.
Five years back I’d probably just fry fish up in a pan, not anymore. Air fryers are such game-changers to get on a path to healthier eating habits, and a healthy fish meal is a great place to start.
Crispy Air Fryer Whole Fish
The fish has a beautiful crispy golden crust and juicy flesh inside as if it just came out from a deep-fryer!
There’s no big mess to clean up and you aren’t getting all of that grease, either. The outside is seasoned with a bit of lime, kosher salt, and black pepper. I also infused it with garlic which goes so well with the Tilapia taste!
I have actually been preparing this for my husband as a healthy option snack for him to munch on. He likes how tilapia has bigger bones that are simple to see and eat around. Each tilapia gives a good portion of fish to eat, so just one does the trick to fill him up.
Why You'll Love This Crispy Air Fryer Tilapia:
1. It’s a Cheap Dinner Idea that is Actually Healthy
Tilapia is a freshwater fish and is inexpensive. It's an affordable source of protein that is packed with selenium, vitamin B12, niacin, and potassium. I bought the whole tilapia from my local Costco for about $3.99 per pound or around $2 - 2.50 per fish. I think that's a steal!
2. It’s the Best Way to Deep Fry Fish Without the Extra Calories
Frying fish in a ton of oil adds calories. To cook fish in an air fryer only requires about 2 teaspoon of oil.
3. It Uses a Simple Seasoning
Thanks to my mom who shared her family recipe to get the seasoning absolutely perfect!
I seasoned this tilapia with fresh lime juice, kosher salt, and black pepper. I also stuffed the cavity with garlic cloves to add flavor and aroma to the fish.
Also, check out these tasty Fish soup and Sweet and sour fish recipes.
How to Cook Whole Tilapia in an Air Fryer
Step 1. Marinate the Fish
Place the fish on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut three deep, diagonal slits on both sides of the fish.
Place the fish in a large bowl or large zip-lock. Add lime juice and marinate the fish for about 20 minutes.
Step 2. Season the Fish
Remove the fish from the marinade, and discard the liquid. Rub the inside and outside of the fish with 2 teaspoons of oil, then season with salt and pepper.
Stuff the cavity of the fish with smashed garlic cloves.
Step 3. Air Fry
In this recipe, I cooked the fish using my Gourmia 8qt air fryer. I think the best temperature to cook tilapia in an air fryer is 400°F. Be sure to preheat the air fryer before adding the food.
Cook the whole tilapia for about 20 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through cooking.
Always check for doneness. If the fish is not ready, cook for 1-2 minutes and check it again. Continue cooking until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, or until the safe internal temperature for cooked fish is 145°F.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Calamari
- How to cook perfectly crispy bacon in an air fryer
- How to air fry frozen fries
- How to cook bacon asparagus in an air fryer
- Crispy okra
- Crispy zucchini fries
- Air fryer chicken thighs
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Tilapia
Ingredients
- 1 fresh whole tilapia , (about 1 pound) pat the fish dry with paper towels.
- 1 medium-size lime, (juiced)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, (for a smaller fish, use only ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt)
- ¼ black pepper
- 2 teaspoons vegetable or avocado oil
For the Cavity:
- 3-4 garlic cloves, (smashed)
Instructions
- Place the fish on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut three deep, diagonal slits on both sides of the fish, cutting all the way down to the bone.Transfer to a ziplock bag, add lime juice and marinate for 20 minutes.
- Remove the fish from the marinade. Give a little shake to remove excess liquid and discard the lime juice. Rub the inside and outside of the fish with oil then season with salt and pepper.Stuff the cavity of the fish with smashed garlic cloves.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook the fish for about 20 minutes (or less if you are using a smaller fish), flipping it halfway through cooking. Check the doneness at 15 minutes. If the fish is not ready, cook for 1-2 minutes and check it again. Continue cooking until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Heather Johnson says
i have never cooked a whole fish but it looks so good! can't wait to try it - i love my air fryer
Irina says
We are never tired of experimenting with fish, and your recipe came up in time. We made it for dinner and could not stop eating. Next time I will double the recipe: it is amazingly delicious!
Rika says
I am glad that you like this tilapia recipe, Irina.
Caroline says
I love how simple this is and the color of the skin is so bright and crisp.
Dannii says
I never would have thought to make fish like this in the air fryer. Such a great idea.
Rika says
I am glad that your found this recipe useful, Dannii!
Nicole Durham says
I rarely find whole tilapia in stores near me, but this recipe looks like it's worth the trip across town to the fish market. Looks and sounds delicious and simple!
Rika says
You can use the fillet tilapia and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Amber Myers says
This looks delish! I'll have to show my mom: she loves having fish for dinner. But she'll need an air fryer, which she has been debating!
Rika says
Let me know what she thinks about it.
melissa chapman says
That fish looks so good and I have to try cooking fish in my air fryer. My son loves salmon but I know he would love tilapia cooked this way.
Heather says
I can't wait to try this! I happen to have some tilapia in the freezer!
Rose Ann Sales says
It requires a lot of oil to fry tilapia. Good thing we can airfry it now.
Rika says
I agree with you, Rose! The air fryer tilapia will save you a ton of calories.
Tasheena says
I’ve never we tried making fish in an air fryer before. Looking forward to trying this recipe.