Crispy Tilapia Air Fryer (Printable Version)

Golden breaded tilapia with a satisfying crunch, ready in under 30 minutes using your air fryer.

# What You Need:

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

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

08 - 2 large eggs

09 - 2 tbsp milk

10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

11 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.

02 - Whisk together eggs and milk in a shallow bowl until combined.

03 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt in another shallow bowl.

04 - Dip each tilapia fillet into egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into breadcrumb mixture to coat thoroughly.

05 - Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil. Arrange breaded fillets in single layer, cooking in batches if needed.

06 - Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crust is golden brown and fish flakes easily with fork.

07 - Serve immediately, sprinkled with fresh parsley and accompanied by lemon wedges.

01 -

The panko and Parmesan crust creates this incredible crunch that rivals restaurant frying but with a fraction of the mess
Everything comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for those weeknights when takeout starts sounding way too appealing

02 -

Crowding the air fryer basket is the fastest way to soggy fish, so work in batches if necessary and keep that single layer rule sacred
Spraying the breaded fillets lightly with oil before air frying makes a huge difference in achieving that restaurant-quality golden crunch

03 -

Use parchment paper rounds in your air fryer basket for easier cleanup, but make sure to cut them smaller than the basket so air can still circulate properly
The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, which usually happens right when that crust turns perfectly golden