In this recipe, I am using frozen fish. You can find it easily in your nearby store, and you can also use fresh fish fillets also. Let's dive into this recipe.
Frozen Tilapia Air Fryer
Cooking Frozen Tilapia Air Fryer is a clean process. This recipe does not need preheating air fryer. Here I will use lemon slices in our recipe. You can leave this at all if you don't like lemon-flavored fish.
The purpose of using lemon is that I want to infuse lemon aroma in our dish. Further lemon slices will help in air fryer cleaning as they will protect the fish from sticking. So it's easy to cook frozen tilapia with lemon slices.
How To Cook Frozen Tilapia In Air Fryer?
Let's start with the ingredients:
- Frozen Tilapia Fillets - 4 small pieces
- Onion Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Garlic Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Thyme - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Salt - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Black Pepper - to taste
- Oil Spray
- Large Lemon - 1
Equipment
We simply need an air fryer and a mixing bowl.
Step By Step Guide: Frozen Tilapia Air Fryer
Early Prep:
- Remove the fish from the fridge and take it out from the package. If you want to rinse it, you can use cold water for rinsing.
- Next, take the lemon and cut it into pieces (not too thin otherwise, they will fly during the cooking process).
Seasoning Fish Fillets:
- Mix all ingredients into a bowl and sprinkle it onto each fish fillet from both sides. Make sure to coat each fillet evenly with seasoning for a more balanced taste on each bite.
Cooking Process:
- Place each coated fillet on a lemon slice in the air fryer basket. After placing each fillet, place a lemon slice on top of each fillet as well.
- Now use oil spray and lightly spray on each fillet. You can use the brush to oil fillets, but using oil spray is more convenient.
- Set the air fryer temp to 390F and cook it for 8-10 minutes.
- At the final moments, check the fish's internal temp, and make sure it reads 145F.
You can increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes if you think that the results are not as you desire. After cooking, remove all the pieces from the air fryer.
Important Recipe Notes
- No need to thaw your fish or preheat the air fryer.
- Cooking time may vary by 3-4 minutes for large and more thick fillets.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness.
- You can customize seasoning as per your taste.
Can I Go With Another Fish Instead Tilapia?
Yes, if you don't have Tilapia, you can use any other fish of your choice. It could be mahi or any other. Tilapia is a budget-friendly choice and can be found in grocery stores easily.
Serving Per Person
You can serve 2 small pieces to each person, or if you have large fillets, then you can serve one piece per person.
Serve It As Side Dish
- You can serve Air Fryer Tilapia as a side dish with white rice. Fish and rice become a tasteful combo.
- Another way to serve the cooked tilapia is to serve it with a salad of your choice. You can serve it with Southwest Corn Salad, Spinach Arugula Salad, or any other salad you want.
- Serve this dish with Potato Fries, and this will be a tasty and more gathering-friendly combo.
I have tested all the above serving ideas, and they work perfectly for me. Feel free to experiment yourself.
Serve Tilapia With Dipping Sauce
Here are some dipping sauces that pair very well with Air Fryer Tilapia:
- Tangy Tartar Sauce
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Sweet Chili Sauce
My Tested Flavorful Variations
The simple way to a new taste every time is to customize the seasoning. Here are some ideas that you can try
- Crispy Texture - For a crispy exterior, you can lightly coat the tilapia fillets with breadcrumbs before air frying.
- Cajun Spiced Tilapia - Season your fish fillets with a cajun seasoning blend and enjoy spiced cajun tilapia.
- Parmesan Crusted Tilapia - Take a bowl and mix grated Parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Now beat one egg and dip the tilapia fillets in it. Coat each fillet with Parmesan mixture and air fry. Enjoy your parmesan-crusted tilapia.
- Asian Flavored Tilapia - Take a bowl and mix soy sauce, ginger, garlic, honey, sesame oil, and lime juice. Marinate the tilapia fillets for about 30 minutes, then air fry them. Enjoy a whole new taste and crispness.
How can I store Leftovers?
You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. When needed, place them into the air fryer and reheat at 400F for 2-3 minutes. They are ready to serve again.
Conclusion
Frozen Tilapia Air Fryer is a tasty, delicious, and quick recipe with a clean cooking process. You can experiment with multiple seasoning options, all works better. You can cook it within 15 minutes. A good healthy choice for seafood lovers. Serve it as a side dish, or enjoy it with a dipping sauce of your choice. If you have not tried this recipe, give Frozen Tilapia Air Fryer a try now... Happy Eating!
Love this recipe? Don't forget to leave your feedback in the comments.
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FAQ's
Can I Cook Frozen Tilapia Directly In The Air Fryer Without Thawing It First?
Absolutely! You can cook frozen foods directly without the need for thawing.How Long To Cook Frozen Tilapia In An Air Fryer?
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets and the specific air fryer model. For normal-size fillets, you have to cook for 8-10 minutes at 390°F (190°C) for best results.Can I Use Bread Crumbs For A More Crispy Coating?
Yes! If you prefer a crispy texture on your tilapia, you can use bread crumbs. Dip your tilapia fillets in beaten egg, and coat them with bread crumbs before air frying.Can I Cook Other Fish Using The Same Method?
Absolutely! This method works well for a variety of fish fillets. You can apply the same steps and cooking temperatures to other types of frozen fish, such as cod, salmon, or mahi, to achieve delicious results.Can I Cook Frozen Tilapia In An Air Fryer Without Any Seasoning?
Yes, you can cook frozen tilapia without seasoning. Seasoning adds more flavors to tilapia. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings.
Frozen Tilapia Air Fryer
⏱️Cook Time
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
🥘Ingredients
- Frozen Tilapia Fillets - 4 small pieces
- Onion Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Garlic Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Thyme - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Salt - 1/2 Teaspoon
- Black Pepper - to taste
- Oil Spray
- Large Lemon - 1
📝Instructions
- Remove the fish from the fridge and take it out from the package. If you want to rinse it, you can use cold water for rinsing.
- Take the lemon and cut it into pieces,
- Mix all ingredients into a bowl and sprinkle it onto each fish fillet from both sides. Make sure to coat each fillet evenly with seasoning for a more balanced taste on each bite.
- Place each coated fillet on a lemon slice in the air fryer basket. After placing each fillet, place a lemon slice on top of each fillet as well.
- Now use oil spray and lightly spray on each fillet.
- Set the air fryer temp to 390F and cook it for 8-10 minutes.
- At the final moments, check the fish's internal temp, and make sure it reads 145F.
📝Recipe Notes
- No need to thaw your fish or preheat the air fryer.
- Cooking time may vary by 3-4 minutes for large and thick fillets.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness.
- You can customize seasoning as per your taste.
🔍Nutrition
Calories: 220KcalFat: 6gCarbohydrates: 2gCholestrol: 99mgFiber: 0.5gCalcium: 30mgSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gProtein: 40gSugar: 0gSodium: 600mg
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