A simple and delicious recipe for cooking a whole tilapia in the air fryer, resulting in crispy skin and tender, flavorful fish.
1 whole tilapia, cleaned and scaled (about 1 to 1.5 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 lemon, thinly sliced
2 sprigs fresh parsley
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
Pat the whole tilapia dry with paper towels.
Rub the olive oil all over the tilapia, including inside the cavity.
In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme.
Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the entire fish, including inside the cavity.
Place lemon slices and fresh parsley sprigs inside the cavity of the tilapia.
Place the seasoned tilapia in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure it is not folded or overlapping.
Cook the tilapia in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time for even crispiness.
Check for doneness by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the fish; the flesh should be opaque and flake easily.
Carefully remove the tilapia from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate.
Serve immediately with additional lemon wedges if desired.