Updated Jan 13, 2025

What if I tell you that my Air fryer Breaded Tilapia recipe is oil-free yet bursting with flavors and pairs well with fries or veggies and makes a awesome family dinner? Still in denial! This Breaded Tilapia made in air fryer, perfectly crisp from outside and tender from inside, juicy and healthier. Doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned cook or first timer, this Air fryer tilapia won’t let you down on the dinner table.

overhead image of breaded tilapia filets on a platter with lemon slices

If you love mess free, easy and healthy recipes than this air fryer fish worth trying. Better then deep frying, almost no oil used, made with pantry staples, flavorful, and come together under in an hour. Does it ring a bell to inspire you enough!

Give this Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia recipe a try! It’s a perfect comforting family recipe to make, enjoy as an appetizer on game day or just a weeknight meal.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia

Tilapia filets: I am using fresh tilapia for this recipe. Frozen will also work. Make sure that you thaw frozen tilapia completely and pat them dry before starting coating them. If you don’t want to use tilapia, feel free to use salmon, whiting filet, or even flounder, all of which will taste great.
Egg: Egg is a perfect binder here. Beaten eggs helps holding Panko breadcrumbs evenly and give you a perfect crisp outer layer.
Panko Breadcrumb: I prefer to use regular Panko breadcrumbs for my recipe, so that other flavors I use, stand out. You can use seasoned breadcrumbs or cornflakes as well. I would not suggest using homemade breadcrumbs as the crust may not be crispy enough. Feel free to use gluten-free breadcrumbs in case of dietary restrictions.
Lemon: Any seafood recipe levels up with a lemon wedge and this breaded tilapia is no exception. Either squeeze or just use wedges while serving.

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Tips For Success

If you want to add a bit of spice to this recipe, feel free to add some cayenne pepper and/or creole/Cajun seasoning. serve your tilapia with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, such as tartar, teriyaki or hot sauce.
Feel free to cut your tilapia into pieces before breading it to make baked tilapia bites.
I can’t emphasize enough on the fact that pat drying is important. Any extra moisture wont allow crumbs to stick well.
Thawing before cooking process is another important point. Directly using frozen fish may cook unevenly which may ruin the taste.
Spray air fryer basket before cooking. Doing so will make sure that coated fish not sticking in the basket and easier flipping. You can use aluminum foil as well here for easy clean up after cooking.
You can make breaded crisp tilapia in oven as well as on stovetop. Pan fry if no air fryer. Just make sure to cook from all sides for that crunch.
If you like super crunchy crust, repeat the breading steps few times before.

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerate: First you won’t end up any leftovers from this juicy, tender breaded tilapia, but if any, just store them in a airtight container. You can store for 3-4 days easily.

Freeze: I like to freeze them in two ways, before and after cooking. Both methods work when planning ahead of time. Once you coat the fish with breadcrumbs, carefully place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1-2 hours. Transfer them in freezer-friendly bags and store for 4-5 months. They won’t stick with each other and remain separate.

If you want to freeze after cooking, then you just need to transfer them in freezer-friendly bags either in portions or all together and just store in the freezer.

Reheat: To reheat air fry them at 400 Degree for 5-10 minutes, or until hot enough.

overhead image of bite out of breaded tilapia filet topped with lemon slices on a white plate with a fork

Serving Suggestions

The Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia is so good, healthy and flavorful entree that pairs well with many side dishes. The best is to serve with a dash of lemon juice or lemon wedges. Mashed Potatoes or Savory Sweet Mashed Potatoes or Baked Mac and Cheese are great soft sides, for the extra crunch and fiber pair with Potato Wedges or Green Bean Almondine or Sauteed Veggies Or Grilled Veggies. Fish is a good source of protein, add some carbs to make a filling meal, Hush Puppies, Cilantro Lime Rice are a few.

5-Star Review

“I made this last night and it was the moistest chicken we’ve ever had. A bit of crispy and the flavor was wonderful. I didn’t have buttermilk and did add lemon juice to 1% milk. I am making it again today. Thank you for this recipe.” – Dawn

How to Make Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia Step by Step

Beat The Egg: In a medium size glass bowl combine 1 large egg with 1 tablespoon water. whisking the two ingredients together.

Prepare Coating: In a separate bowl combine 2 cups breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon black ground pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.

Prepare Tilapia: If using frozen tilapia thaw them completely first and foremost. Fresh or frozen in both case dry your tilapia with paper towels. Take 4 tilapia filets and pat them dry.

tilapia filets on a white plate, egg mixture in a white bowl, and breading mixture in a white bowl

Preheat Air fryer & Spray: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees for five minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with non stick cooking spray.

Bread Tilapia: Now I am all set to start coating my tilapia filets. Dredge each filet through the egg wash first evenly and allow excess to drip off. Next press into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure breadcrumbs sticks evenly on all sides. Repeat the same with all filets.

4 breaded tilapia filets on a white plate before cooking

Cook the fish: After preheating carefully transfer the dredged filets When hot, into the basket in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. Single layer ensures cooking evenly.

2 breaded tilapia filets in air fryer before cooking

Flip your fish and cook for another five minutes. How would you know if tilapia filets cooked? First the outer flesh color turn from opaque to white color. Second insert a knife on the thickest part and if you feel the resistance, means filets are cooked well. OR you can use the cooking thermometer, insert on the thickest part and make sure that inside temperature is145°F.