Easy Cajun Garlic Butter Tilapia In Air Fryer

Using an air fryer and Cajun spices is the best way to cook up this tender fish! This air fryer cajun garlic butter tilapia is so easy and delicious, it’s sure to become a new favorite lunch! If you haven’t already, you’ve got to try cooking up fish fillets in your air fryer. It keeps them soft and tender on the inside with the perfect golden crust! Air fryer parmesan cod, brown sugar salmon, and crab cakes are all knockout seafood recipes you need to make right now!

Easy Air Fryer Cajun Tilapia Recipe

Tilapia is easily one of my favorite types of fish to cook with. It’s so mild and tender, and absorbs the flavor of whatever seasonings you cook it with! Kick your lunch up a notch with this super easy recipe loaded with all of the flavors you crave! Garlic butter and Cajun seasonings turn an ordinary tilapia fillet into an absolute dream! It’s so golden, flavorful, and flaky! I assure you, you’ll love every bite! But seriously, this tilapia is a winner. It only takes 10 minutes to make from start to finish! The savory glaze whisks up in seconds and then it’s off to the air fryer to let it work its magic. This recipe has been a life-changer for busy days. A tasty, healthy meal in minutes with no hassle! Need more air fryer inspo? Find all of my favorite recipes here!

Everything You Need for Cajun Garlic Butter Tilapia

It only takes a handful of simple ingredients to make this amazing air fryer tilapia! Combined, they create something that rivals even the best seafood restaurants! You’re going to love how it turns out. Measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Tilapia Fillets: With a mild fish flavor and tender texture, this is the star of the show! If possible, use fresh tilapia. Frozen tilapia can alter its amazing natural texture.Salt and Pepper: This is the foundation of your tilapia’s seasoning. Add to taste!

Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce

Butter: Honestly, nothing makes a marinade great like some rich and creamy butter!Olive Oil: Olive oil helps to keep your fish nice and flaky while creating a crispy outer layer. It adds a great flavor and helps the seasonings stick, too!Minced Garlic: You can’t go wrong with garlic! Add in a few cloves worth for that perfect savory flavor.Cajun Seasoning: To be honest, you probably have all of the spices in your cabinet, so try making this at home! This way, you can customize your own blend to your liking, whether you like it more spicy, savory, or somewhere in the middle. Find my full recipe here.

Let’s Air Fry This Fish!

Making your cajun garlic butter tilapia is a piece of cake. Skip the frozen meal and make this instead! You’ll love how fresh and delicious it is.

Is It Fresh? Your raw tilapia should have a very mild fish smell. If it has a strong, ammonia-like odor, it likely has spoiled and should not be used. A dull color and slimy layer over the fish are also indications it’s no longer fresh.Thaw Frozen Tilapia: If using frozen tilapia, be sure to let it thaw in the fridge overnight before use. If you cook your tilapia straight from the freezer, it may cook unevenly.Cook a Single Layer: It’s important not to overcrowd your air fryer when cooking your tilapia. Only cook a single layer at a time so the air is able to circulate and cook your fish all the way through.Making Sure It’s Done: You’ll know your fish is cooked through when it’s completely opaque. Cooking times may vary slightly if you’re using thicker tilapia fillets. Additionally, you can use a thermometer to check and see if your fish has an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

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In the Refrigerator: In an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, your fish will stay good for up to 3 days.Reheating: The quickest way to reheat your Cajun garlic butter tilapia is in the air fryer for about 3 minutes at 350 degrees. You can also reheat it over medium heat on the stove with a little melted butter in the pan.

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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.