Description
This Air Fryer Tilapia recipe offers a quick and healthy way to enjoy crispy, flavorful tilapia filets. Lightly breaded with a seasoned flour mixture, dipped in an egg wash, and coated with Italian-style breadcrumbs, the filets achieve a golden crust with minimal oil thanks to air frying. Ready in just 20 minutes, this meal is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner that delivers satisfying crunch and tender, flaky fish inside.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Breading
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Egg Wash
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 egg
For Coating
- 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
Main Ingredient
- 4 tilapia filets
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure even crisping of the tilapia filets.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder until fully combined to create an evenly seasoned flour mixture.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a second shallow bowl, whisk the egg and milk thoroughly until the egg is fully broken up and the mixture is smooth for an even coating.
- Set Up Breadcrumb Station: Pour the Italian-style breadcrumbs into a third shallow bowl. Arrange the three bowls in order for easy breading: flour mixture first, followed by the egg wash, then the breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Tilapia: Working with one filet at a time, fully coat it by dipping first into the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and finally press into the breadcrumbs making sure all sides are evenly covered. Repeat with all filets.
- Cook in Air Fryer: Place the breaded tilapia filets in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until the breading is golden brown and the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Carefully remove the crispy tilapia from the air fryer basket and serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the filets are in a single layer in the air fryer to promote even cooking and crispiness.
- If your air fryer basket is small, cook the filets in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle some paprika or dried herbs into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Use a light spray of oil on the breaded filets before air frying for an even crisper crust if desired.
- This recipe is best served immediately as the crust may lose crispiness upon standing.
