Air Fryer Chili Lime Tilapia

This Air Fryer Chili Lime Tilapia recipe is a light, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal. It’s a weeknight dinner dream, bursting with citrusy flavors and a little spice. Using the air fryer means you get perfectly cooked fish with a crispy coating in under 15 minutes.

Weeknights can be a battleground between convenience and healthy eating. Often, takeout beckons with its siren song of greasy goodness. But what if you could achieve restaurant-worthy flavor and crispy perfection, all at home and in under 20 minutes? This easy-to-make air fryer chili lime tilapia is a healthy weeknight dinner that you will have on repeat.

Add a couple of sides like these garlic grilled tomatoes or cheesy broccoli and cauliflower casserole. This rice dish is one of our favorites to have with the tilapia. Or add a simple tossed salad and baked potato.

Air Fryer Chili Lime Tilapia

This recipe isn’t just about convenience, it’s about taste. The air fryer brings out the best in tilapia, leaving it unbelievably crispy on the outside and perfectly flaky on the inside. The star of the show, though, is the chili-lime seasoning. It’s a vibrant blend of warm spices and bright citrus that awakens your taste buds.

This healthy Air Fryer fish recipe is coated in a zesty and delicious chili spice mix and then drizzled with fresh lime juice. Tilapia is already quick and easy to cook in the oven (see recipe notes), but it’s even faster when air-fried. Whatever method you choose, the spice coating gets blackened during cooking, and the fish fillets turn out so perfect and it’s packed with nutritional benefits.

How do you know if your fish is fully cooked?

The best way to tell if your fish is fully cooked is by testing it with a fork. Pierce the fish at an angle at the thickest point and twist gently. The fish should flake easily when it’s done and it will have also lost its translucent (raw) appearance. You want to cook the fish to an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees.

How to Serve Air Fryer Tilapia

You can use the cooked tilapia to make fish tacos and serve them with your favorite taco toppings or guacamole. Serve the fish in a rice or grain bowl with a green salad on the side or some roasted vegetables. Another delicious way is to serve it over a bed of creamy coleslaw and tartar sauce. Try it served with this peach salsa for a fruity twist.

⏰Time-Saving Tips and Variations

• When air frying keep in mind that air fryers do vary a bit from brand to brand, so the timing for this recipe may need to be adjusted for your specific model. 
• Also note that after the initial air fry, your machine is warmed up and will cook each subsequent batch of fish a bit quicker.
• Don’t over-crowd the fish in the basket. The filets should be in one even layer so they cook and crisp evenly.
• Fresh lime juice really is best for this recipe but bottled lime juice will do in a pinch.
• If you feel the chili spice mixture is too spicy for your taste buds, try using this cajun seasoning instead. It’s more smoky than spicy.
• This recipe can be used with any white fish. Try it with cod or haddock.
• Can I use frozen tilapia? Yes, just increase the air frying cooking time to 12-13 minutes instead of 8-10 minutes.
• Cooking the fish in the oven: see recipe notes for this method and times.

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🥣Equipment

• Air fryer

📃Ingredients

• 4 fresh tilapia filets (if using frozen filets, thaw before cooking)
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• fresh lime juice

Directions

Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 370 degrees. Line the air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper or spray the air fryer basket or tray with some nonstick cooking spray. This is so the fresh fish filets don’t stick to the basket.

Pat dry the fish with a paper towel. In a small bowl, combine the spices together. Press the spice mixture into both sides of the filets. Place in the fresh fish into preheated air fryer basket and cook in a single layer for 8-10 minutes until the fish is done. Garnish with fresh lime juice before serving!

This air fryer tilapia recipe is your answer to what’s for dinner as it offers a healthy and delicious meal without the hassle. So, ditch the takeout menus, preheat your air fryer, and enjoy perfectly cooked flavorful tilapia in no time!

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this one! I hope you try it, enjoy it, comment and rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

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