Is there anything better than a fish taco? How about an Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos? Made with crispy tilapia fillets, this is one of my favorites, and of course, nothing is better than cooking fish than the air fryer. The crispy fish tacos I had the last night with my family were amazing!

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos
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If you have been looking for easy air fryer recipes, this is one of the best, and these flavorful Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos taste just like they came out of a food truck! They were fantastic; talk about an easy dinner! Serve with air fryer black beans or fresh mango salsa, and have a tremendous weeknight dinner!

Why You Will Love this Recipe

This easy air fryer fish taco recipe is perfect for a quick dinner, or lunch. This is one of the best recipes, and works well with tilapia. Tilapia is a mild fish, that is very common. With a few ingredients, you can have a batch of Tilapia Fish Tacos!

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Ingredients For Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Here are the simple ingredients, you will need for this recipe!

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Remember the detailed ingredients and step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card.

  • Tilapia: You can also use any mild flavor white fish, firm white fish, such as Mahi Mahi, cod, or even haddock.
  • Oil: Even though we are using an air fryer, the olive oil will give you a crunchy texture.
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour, for low-carb option using almond or coconut flour.
  • Egg: To help the batter stick to the fish.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs: You can also use keto or low carb panko breadcrumbs or pork rinds.
  • Coleslaw Mix: Cabbage, Lime Juice, White Vinegar, Honey, Salt, and Black Pepper
  • Seasonings and Spices: Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt, and Black Pepper
  • Serving: Corn Tortillas, Flour Tortillas, Sour Cream, Avocado Lime Crema, and Fresh Cilantro.

How To Make Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Here are the step-by-step directions for making Tilapia Fish Tacos Air Fryer!

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Step One: Prepare The Cabbage Slaw

In a medium bowl, prepare the cabbage slaw by tossing the cabbage with lime juice, vinegar, and honey, season with salt and pepper, and refrigerate.

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Step Two: Preheat The Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200˚C), for 3-5 minutes.

Step Three: Prepare Panko Mixture

Divide flour, egg, and panko bread crumbs into three shallow bowls or shallow dish. Mix cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper into panko bread crumbs.

Step Four: Prepare The Fish

Using a paper towel, pat pieces of fish dry. One at a time, coat piece of fish in flour (shaking off excess), egg, and panko (bread crumb mixture), pressing to coat.

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Step Five: Air Frying The Fish

Working in batches, place fish in the air fryer basket, single layer and set cook time for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is golden and cooked through, and the fish flakes.

Step Six: Assemble the Fish Taco:

Let the fish cool down for a couple of minutes; cut into bite-size pieces, and then assemble fish tacos by placing fish into the center of a warmed tortilla, then topping with cabbage slaw, baja sauce, cilantro, and other additions such as salsa, red onion, fresh lime juice, and avocado.

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos Recipe Tips

  • Seasoning For Tilapia: My favorites are simple spice mixes, such as Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, seasoning stick, onion powder, a homemade spice blend, or spice mix.
  • Fish: You can use any mild fish flavor, such as haddock, cod, swai, sea bass, or even Mahi Mahi.
  • Crowding: Be careful not to over-crowd your air-fryer basket; you should leave plenty of space around the fish so that the hot air can circulate around the fish, causing you to get a crispy coating. Make sure to spray the fish pieces with olive oil or high-heat oil.
  • Timing: Due to the thickness of the fish, the cooking time will vary. For best results, use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature of the fish; this will help prevent soggy fish tacos.
  • Parchment Paper: You can line your fry base with parchment paper, which will help help you clean up easily.

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos Recipe Faqs

How long does it take to cook tilapia for fish tacos in the air fryer? Tilapia typically takes about 10-12 minutes to cook in the air fryer, depending on the thickness of the filets. Ensure the fish is cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and flakes easily with a fork.

What temperature should I set the air fryer for tilapia? Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for perfectly crispy and cooked tilapia.

Can I use frozen tilapia filets for this recipe? Yes, you can use frozen tilapia filets, but they should be thawed and patted dry before cooking. This helps the seasoning and coating adhere better.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer? Preheating the air fryer is recommended for even cooking and a crispy texture. Preheat it for about 3-5 minutes before adding the tilapia.

How can I prevent the tilapia from sticking to the air fryer basket? To prevent sticking, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or use parchment paper. Also, ensure the tilapia is well-coated with a breading or seasoning to help it crisp up.

What should I do if my tilapia isn’t crispy enough? If the tilapia isn’t crispy enough, try increasing the cooking time by 1-2 minutes or adjusting the air fryer temperature slightly. You can also ensure the filets are coated evenly with breadcrumbs or a similar coating.

Can I use a different type of fish for these tacos? Yes, you can substitute other mild white fish like cod or haddock. Adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the fish.

What toppings are best for fish tacos? Popular toppings for fish tacos include shredded cabbage, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and a tangy salsa or creamy sauce. You can customize the toppings to your taste.

How should I store leftovers? Store any leftover tilapia and taco components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat the tilapia in the air fryer to maintain its crispiness.

Can I prepare the tilapia in advance? Yes, you can season and coat the tilapia ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to cook. This helps to save time during meal preparation.

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

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Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

Air Fryer Tilapia Fish Tacos

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
3 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Is there anything better than a fish taco? Made with crispy tilapia fillets, this is one of my favorites, and of course, nothing is better than cooking fish than the air fryer. The crispy fish tacos I had the last night with my family were amazing!

Ingredients 

Cabbage Slaw:

  • 1/4 head cabbage
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Fish Tacos:

  • 1 pound tilapia, cut into strips
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup panko, breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Serving:

  • 12 tortillas, warmed
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro, diced

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, prepare the cabbage slaw by tossing the cabbage with lime juice, vinegar, and honey, season with salt and pepper, and refrigerate.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F (200˚C
  • Divide flour, egg, and panko bread crumbs into three shallow bowls or shallow dishes. Mix cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper into panko bread crumbs.
  • Using a paper towel, pat pieces of fish dry. One at a time, coat a piece of fish in flour (shaking off excess), egg, and panko (breadcrumb mixture), pressing to coat.
  • Working in batches, place fish in the air fryer basket, single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is golden and cooked through, and the fish flakes.
  • Let the fish cool down for a couple of minutes; cut into bite-size pieces, and then assemble fish tacos by placing fish into the center of a warmed tortilla, then topping with cabbage slaw, baja sauce, cilantro, and other additions such as salsa, red onion, fresh lime juice, and avocado.

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 546kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 36gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 2028mgPotassium: 647mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 231IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 214mgIron: 6mg

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