Prep Tilapia Fillets: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C) while you prepare the tilapia fillets. While the air fryer is heating up, pat dry the tilapia fillets with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial. Do not skip it. It ensures that oil and seasoning adhere evenly and the fish becomes nice and crispy in the air fryer.

Brush each fillet with olive oil and season with lemon juice and old bay seasoning. Rub with freshly pressed garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper on both sides. I sometimes love to experiment with other flavors like cajun seasoning for some heat.

Air fry: Place the tilapia fillets in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes (depending on thickness) or until it turns golden brown and crispy. Flip the fillets halfway through the cooking time (see notes in the post) to ensure it cooks evenly on both sides. Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the fish has reached 145°F.

Add lemon-butter-garlic sauce. The combination of tangy lemon, rich butter, and savory garlic creates a well-balanced flavor that enhances the mild taste of tilapia without overwhelming it. Melt 4-oz of butter in a saucepan or microwave, add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and stir until the ingredients are well combined. Pour the sauce over the cooked tilapia.