How to cook frozen tilapia in the air fryer or anything frozen in the air fryer is a question I know so many have. Well, I’ve got your answer with this easy air fryer tilapia recipe. It’s packed with a ton of flavor and can be on your plate within minutes!
Why You Should Make?
No Fuss- This frozen tilapia isn’t hard to recreate. The white fish is rather easy to cook and perfect for busy weeknights.
Cook Time-The cook time on these tilapia fillets is extremely low and a great option that your entire family will enjoy. Who doesn’t love flaky fish on the table fast!
Healthy Meal- These tilapia fillets are a great option for a healthy, easy dinner idea. The spice mixture has almost had little to no calories. Add this fish with your favorite sides, and you have a full protein-packed meal.
Simple Steps- The steps are pretty easy to follow. No need to worry about the long, drawn-out steps.
Ingredients You Will Need
Frozen Tilapia- Grab those frozen tilapia fillets out of the freezer and pop them straight into the air fryer. The different sizes are just fine.
Olive Oil Spray- The easiest way to make fresh tilapia fillets is with cooking spray but I also use pure olive oil to make a simple wet mixture to rub onto these frozen air fryer tilapia’s.
Seasonings- They are kept to a bare minimum, such as paprika, garlic powder, and all-purpose seasoning, just to name a few.
How To Cook Frozen Tilapia in Air Fryer?
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
2. While the air fryer is preheating, remove the frozen tilapia fillets from their packaging and pat them dry with a paper towel.
3. To a small bowl, add garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and all-purpose seasoning. Mix well.
4. Brush olive oil on both sides of the fish and Season tilapia(both sides). Next, Place the seasoned tilapia fillets into the air fryer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. If needed, cook them in batches.
5. Cook the fish in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the fillets.
6. Once the tilapia is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute or two.
7. Serve your delicious air-fried tilapia with lemon wedges for an extra zesty touch.
Substitutions
All-Purpose Seasoning- If you don’t have all-purpose seasoning, you can use other seasonings in your cabinets, such as Cajun seasoning, old bay seasoning, salt, or lemon pepper seasoning.
Any Fish- Using frozen tilapia doesn’t have to be the only fish you use. You can try using fish such as cod vs. Tilapia, Mahi Mahi, red snapper, or even salmon.
Melted Butter- If you want to add in a lot more flavor instead of brushing olive oil onto the fish. Try brushing on a little bit of butter, then seasonings. Be careful with the amount of herb used if so, because butter can be salty.
Variations
Spicy Tilapia🌶️ If you love a little heat to your frozen tilapia in the air fryer recipe, then you can try adding cayenne pepper.
Fish Tacos- Once you are done, add this flaky tilapia to a crunchy taco shell and top with your favorite toppings. I love sour cream and shredded cheese with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Breaded Tilapia- Apply the olive oil, lay your tilapia into some Italian breadcrumbs, and cook as instructed below.
Storage
Leftover tilapia can be stored in an air-tight container, plastic wrap, or a ziplock bag. Try to make sure you are using something to store the tilapia that is completely sealed so that the fish won’t go wrong.
Reheating Frozen Tilapia In Air Fryer
- Air Fryer- To reheat fish in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C), place the fish fillets in the air fryer basket, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Microwave– To reheat fish in the microwave, place it on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or wrap. Heat it on medium heat for 1-2 minutes, checking for doneness. If needed, continue heating in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Common Questions
How long to cook frozen breaded tilapia in the air fryer?
Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of the frozen breaded tilapia fillets, but a general recommendation is to cook them in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes.
What to pair with frozen air fryer tilapia?
You can pair many different side dishes, such as honey cornbread, black-eyed peas, parboiled rice, or baked beans. The possibilities are endless with this air fryer tilapia!
Where to buy tilapia?
If you’re looking to buy tilapia, there are several options available to you. Firstly, you can check your local grocery stores, as many of them have a seafood section where you can find fresh or frozen tilapia fillets. Alternatively, you can visit fish markets in your area, where you’ll find a wide selection of fish, including fresh tilapia.
How to get rid of the fishy taste in fish?
To get rid of the fish taste, there are a few helpful tips you can try. First, squeeze some fresh lemon or lime juice over the fish before cooking or serving. The citrusy acidity can help cut through the fishy taste. Another option is to soak the fish in milk for about 15-30 minutes before cooking.
In Conclusion
Suppose you want a delicious meal on the table within minutes. Then this frozen air fryer tilapia is your go-to dinner that your whole family will love. If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating below. I will greatly appreciate it.
Well, until next time, folks.
How To Cook Frozen Tilapia in The Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 Frozen Tilapia fillets Large
- 1 Teaspoon Olive oil
- 1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- While the air fryer is preheating, remove the frozen tilapia fillets from their packaging and pat them dry with a paper towel.2 Frozen Tilapia fillets
- To a small bowl add in garlic powder, paprika, and all purpose seasoning .1/2 Teaspoon Paprika, 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
- Brush olive oil on both sides of the fish and Season tilapia(both sides). Next, Place the seasoned tilapia fillets into the air fryer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. If needed, cook them in batches.1 Teaspoon Olive oil
- Cook the fillets in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- Once the tilapia is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute or two.
- Serve your delicious air-fried tilapia with some lemon wedges for an extra zesty touch.Lemon wedges
