Crispy Air Fryer Tilapia (Printable version)
Golden, crunchy tilapia with seasoned panko crust, air-fried to perfection in just 22 minutes.
# 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes before beginning the coating process.
02 - Whisk together 2 large eggs and 2 tbsp milk in a shallow bowl until fully combined.
03 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a separate 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 on all sides.
05 - Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil and arrange breaded fillets in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping fillets halfway through cooking, until the crust is golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Transfer fillets to a serving plate and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges for optimal presentation and flavor.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- You get that irresistible fried fish texture without any guilt or heavy grease
- The whole dinner comes together in under 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
02 -
- Crowding the air fryer basket will make the crust soggy instead of crispy, so cook in batches if needed
- Spraying the breaded fish with oil before air frying creates that restaurant style crunch that lasts even after cooling
03 -
- Let the breaded fillets sit for 10 minutes before air frying to help the coating adhere better
- Use a fish spatula to flip the fillets halfway, keeping that beautiful crust intact