Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia is super convenient and super delicious way to mix up a weeknight dinner! Tilapia filets are a great source of lean protein and can be extremely beneficial for anyone who is looking to build muscle or eat protein that promotes tissue repair. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, there are also major heart and brain function benefits as well. There is also less mercury compared to other fish like tuna. As a nutritionist, I believe this is a great alternative for women who are pregnant or families with younger children.
Quick Look: Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia
- ⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 20 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 30 minutes
- 🐟 Serving: 3 filets
- ⚡ Calories: 217 calories per filet
- 🍂 Flavor Profile: cajun seasoning coast this lean cut of fish for spicy perfection
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy - a great option when planning meal prep or a quick dinner at home
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My recipe is seasoned with a zesty blend of spices and then air-fried to golden perfection in a matter of minutes. It's a quick, easy, and healthy main course everyone will love.
I love fish, and I love combining it with the ease of using an air fryer. My air fryer salmon bites and my sweet and tangy air fryer BBQ chicken breast recipes are always heavily featured in my rotation, and now I've added this frozen tilapia to the mix.
Using frozen tilapia filets makes it easy to whip this recipe up anytime, especially for meal prepping, and the air fryer cooks them quickly and easily without having to defrost them. I always love looking into the refrigerator and seeing a few containers of tilapia meal prep. This is a great backup plan when needing a bit on the go, or when you are tied of back-to-back days of chicken.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Basic Ingredients: All you need is tilapia, a little oil, and seasonings. That's it!
- Easy: Just season the fish and air fry it. You don't even have to defrost it!
- Bold Flavor: I use lemon olive oil for a hint of citrus and bold seasonings to make every bite explode with big, big flavor.
- Great for Meal Prep: This is a quick and easy recipe perfect for meal prepping.
Ingredients
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
- Tilapia Filets: Tilapia is firm and has a mild flavor that pairs well with the bold seasonings in this recipe.
- Bell Pepper: Bell pepper adds color and texture.
- Oil: A blend of Costabile olive oil and Costabile lemon olive oil helps the tilapia get a good color as it air-fries and gives it a citrus note. Use Code: 15GOLDENGK for 15% off.
- Seasonings: A blend of Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, thyme, and garlic powder gives the filets tons of flavor in every bite.
Flavor Variations
- Tilapia: Any white firm white fish like orange roughy, cod, red snapper, pollock, or catfish will work in place of tilapia.
- Mild: For a more subdued flavor, omit the Cajun seasoning.
- Extra Spicy: Add cayenne for a kick of heat.
- Lemon Olive Oil: If you don't have lemon olive oil, use the same amount of lemon olive oil and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia
1: Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl. Then, wash the tilapia filets and pat them dry. Coat both sides of the filets with both olive oils. Then, evenly coat both sides of the filets with the seasonings.
2: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil and add three fillets to it. Then, place the sliced green bell peppers on top.
3: Cook the tilapia at 395 until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees with a food thermometer.
Hint
I find it easiest to check for doneness with my food thermometer. This ensures that my tilapia is moist and flaky without being undercooked and prevents dry, overcooked fish.
Storage
Refrigerate this tilapia for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
To reheat the tilapia, microwave individual portions at 30-second intervals until heated through.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia Filets
Serve this tilapia with rice and a flavorful vegetable side like air fryer asparagus. You can also add it to pasta dishes like Marry Me pasta or put it in place of shrimp in this blackened shrimp alfredo recipe.
Expert Tips
- Don't defrost the tilapia. This recipe was designed to cook frozen fish. If you thaw the filets, adjust the cooking time.
- It's important to rinse and dry the fish so the olive oil and seasonings stick to it readily.
- Preheat your air fryer for even cooking and the best results. It only takes a couple of minutes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash
- Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia FAQ's
In general, you should preheat your air fryer. Preheating only takes a few minutes, and it ensures the food cooks evenly and consistently throughout.
Many white fish varieties can be used in place of tilapia. Fish like catfish, snapper, flounder, halibut, orange roughy, and cod all have a firm texture and mild flavor like tilapia.
With this recipe, you don't have to defrost your fish. However, if you do need to defrost fish, the safest way to defrost fish is overnight in the refrigerator. This ensures there is no bacteria growth as the fish defrosts. For quicker defrosting, place the fish in cold water. NEVER defrost fish in hot water.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia
Ingredients
- 3 tilapia filets medium
- ½ tablespoon lemon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ bell pepper sliced
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil, and preheat the air fryer to 395 degrees while you prepare the fish.
- Combine the Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, thyme, garlic powder, and sea salt in a small bowl.
- Coat each side of the filets with both olive oils. Then, coat each side of the filets with the seasoning blend.
- Place the filets in the air fryer basket and top them with the bell peppers. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the internal temperature registers 145 degrees with a meat thermometer.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Always preheat your air fryer for even cooking and accurate cooking time. It only takes a few minutes!
- Any firm white fish can be used in place of the tilapia, so choose your favorite.
- While regular olive oil can be used, a combination of olive oil and lemon olive oil really gives the fish a nice pop of flavor.
Jaleah says
This tilapia recipe is amazing! So easy and perfect to just plop into the air fryer.
Jacqueline says
Love how easy this tilapia recipe is. I usually have fish fillets in the freezer and this is now my go-to last minute dinner recipe!
Nora says
I had no idea frozen tilapia could turn out this good in the air fryer! This is such a time-saver for busy weeknights. Love that it’s flavorful and meal-prep friendly! Definitely adding it to my rotation!
Lisa says
Quick and easy and super-useful recipe. We added peach salsa on top of our tilapia, I'm sure you could top it with just about anything. This is definitely a keeper!
Criss says
Tried making frozen tilapia in the air fryer, and it turned out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside! So easy and quick.
Juyali says
This recipe was a game-changer! The tilapia turned out so flavorful, and I loved how easy it was! Will make again! 😊
Swathi says
Air fryer tilapia is a wonderful recipe, we loved eating it, and I will make it again.
Criss says
Just tried cooking frozen tilapia in the air fryer, and it turned out amazing! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready in minutes. Such a quick and healthy meal option—highly recommend giving it a go!
Ieva says
Perfect! Love how I didn't need to thaw the fish first, and I find that it tastes like it was;t frozen when I cook it in an airfryer. Overall, great recipe, with perfect seasoning to our taste!
Marie Breton says
Was my first time trying fish in the air fryer and it turned out perfect!
Tisha says
Air Frying these worked out great, and they were delicious and cooked to perfection!
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Liz says
SO easy and delicious!! This was a quick entree that was perfect for a weeknight meal!