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featured air fryer breaded tilapia
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4.57 from 37 votes

Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia Recipe

Doesn't matter if you are seasoned cook or first timer, my Air fryer breaded tilapia won't let you down on the dinner table. This Breaded Tilapia made in air fryer, perfectly crisp from outside, tender from inside, juicy and healthier.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Remaining Filet Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Becky Hardin

Ingredients

  • 4 tilapia filets
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  • In a glass bowl, whisk together the egg and water. In another glass bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper, whisking well.
    1 large egg, 1 tablespoon water, 2 cups breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    tilapia filets on a white plate, egg mixture in a white bowl, and breading mixture in a white bowl
  • Pat the tilapia dry with paper towels, then dredge each filet through the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off.
    4 tilapia filets
  • Press each filet into the breadcrumb mixture, then place on a clean plate. Repeat with remaining fish.
    4 breaded tilapia filets on a white plate before cooking
  • Preheat the air fryer at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Spray the inner basket of the air fryer with cooking oil spray.
  • Place the fish in a single layer in the basket (you may need to work in batches), spray with cooking oil spray, and cook for 10 minutes.
    lemon wedges
    2 breaded tilapia filets in air fryer before cooking
  • Carefully flip the fish and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges.
    2 breaded tilapia filets in air fryer after cooking

Notes

  • Pat Dry Tilapia: Pat drying before use is very important. Any extra moisture won't allow crumbs to stick well. While using frozen fish take extra precaution. Let them thaw completely and than make them dry.
  • Thaw completely before cooking process. 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.
  • If you like super crunchy crust, repeat the breading step few times before.
  • Spice it up with 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.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 1086mg | Potassium: 956mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Vitamin C: 114mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 5mg