Crispy Air Fryer Tilapia (Printable)

Golden breaded tilapia with a crispy panko crust, air-fried to perfection in just 12 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 tilapia fillets (5-6 oz each), patted completely 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

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
11 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges

# How To Make:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3-5 minutes while preparing ingredients.
02 - Whisk together 2 large eggs and 2 tbsp milk in a shallow bowl until fully combined.
03 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, 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 thoroughly on all sides.
05 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place breaded fillets in a single layer without overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
06 - Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping fillets halfway through cooking time, until the crust is golden brown and fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
07 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Serve while hot and crispy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get that perfect fried fish crunch without the grease or calories
  • The whole dinner comes together in under 25 minutes from start to finish
  • The seasoning blend hits all the right notes without being overwhelming
02 -
  • Never skip patting the fish dry—moisture is the enemy of crispy breading
  • A quick spray of oil on the breaded fillets before cooking makes all the difference
  • Don't overcrowd the basket or you'll end up with soggy spots instead of even crunch
03 -
  • Use gluten-free panko if you need this to be gluten-free—the results are just as delicious
  • A little cayenne pepper in the breading adds a subtle kick that elevates the whole dish

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