Crispy Air Fryer Tilapia (Printable)
Seasoned breadcrumb-coated fillets air-fried until golden and crunchy with minimal oil.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 tilapia fillets (5–6 oz each), patted dry
→ Breading
02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Coating
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 tbsp milk
→ Optional Garnish
10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
11 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes.
02 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.
03 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt in another shallow bowl.
04 - Dip each tilapia fillet into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly.
05 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange breaded fillets in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until the crust is golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- You get that satisfying fried fish crunch without the mess of oil or the calories of deep frying
- The whole family actually gets excited about fish night, and the prep takes less than 15 minutes
02 -
- Overcrowding the air fryer basket creates steam, so work in batches if needed for properly crispy fish
- Spraying the breaded fillets with a quick mist of oil before air frying makes the crust noticeably crunchier
03 -
- Use gluten-free panko to make this completely gluten-free without sacrificing crunch
- Buy individually frozen tilapia fillets and thaw them in the refrigerator overnight for the freshest taste