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Close-up of a tilapia fillet on a spatula.
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Air Fryer Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce

This Air Fryer Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce is a quick, flavorful dinner that’s ready in 15 minutes! The tilapia fillets cook to perfectly tender, flaky perfection in the air fryer, while a bright, buttery lemon sauce adds a rich, tangy finish. Light, fresh, and packed with flavor, this easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or anytime you want a delicious and impressive meal with minimal effort.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time13 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: Air Fryer Tilapia, Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe
Servings: 4 people
Author: Olivia Ribas

Equipment

Ingredients

  • For the Tilapia:
  • 2 tilapia fillets
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Instructions
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Ste aside. Add all the seasoning in a small bowl and mix well.
    overhead view of spices in a white bowl.
  • Season both sides with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
    Seasoned raw tilapia fillet on a white baking sheet.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes, if necessary.
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment. Place the fillets in the basket and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. No need to flip unless your air fryer requires it.
    Raw tilapia fillets, seasoned and placed in an air fryer basket.
  • Make the Lemon Butter Sauce:
  • While the tilapia cooks, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir well.
    lemon butter sauce in a white bowl
  • Remove the tilapia from the air fryer and drizzle with the lemon butter sauce.
  • Serve immediately with rice, veggies, or a fresh salad.
    air fryer tilapia served with rice

Notes

Store:
Refrigerate tilapia in an airtight container for 2–3 days; keep sauce separate.
Reheat:
Air fry at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or warm in a skillet with a little sauce.
Freeze:
Freeze tilapia (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat; make fresh sauce when serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 | Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g