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Crispy Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe Easy Perfect Herb Zest Flavor

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This crispy air fryer tilapia recipe delivers golden, crunchy fillets with a bright fresh herb zest. Quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tilapia fillets (6 oz / 170 g each), fresh or thawed
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (can substitute gluten-free flour)
  • ¾ cup (75 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil spray or melted butter, for coating
  • Optional: fresh dill or chives for extra herbaceous notes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat for about 5 minutes.
  2. In a shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, parsley, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
  3. Place all-purpose flour in another bowl. Lightly coat each tilapia fillet with flour, shaking off excess.
  4. Press each floured fillet into the herb zest breadcrumb mix, coating both sides and pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Lightly spray or brush the coated fillets with olive oil or melted butter.
  6. Arrange fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until coating is golden brown and fish flakes easily.
  8. Remove from air fryer and let rest for 1-2 minutes to crisp up further.

Notes

For thicker fillets, add 2-3 minutes to cooking time and monitor to avoid burning. Use light oil spray or brush to keep coating crispy. Preheat air fryer and avoid overcrowding basket for best results. For gluten-free, swap flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter. To reheat leftovers, air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to refresh crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: tilapia, air fryer, crispy fish, herb zest, quick dinner, healthy fish recipe, easy seafood

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/crispy-air-fryer-tilapia-recipe-easy-perfect-herb-zest-flavor/