Air Fryer Tilapia Fillet Time & Temperature Guide

seafood

Detailed time & temperature conversion guide for tilapia fillet in the air fryer. Learn how to adjust oven recipes, cook from frozen, and get juicy results across brands like Ninja, Cosori, Philips, and Instant. See the full air fryer conversion chart for more foods.

Air Fryer Calculator

Enter your oven settings to get air fryer times and temperatures

Safe Cooking Range

Typical oven baseline range for Tilapia Fillet:

8–14 minutes

Air fryer time is typically ~20% less than oven time

Cooking Tips & Guidelines

Essential tips for perfect air fryer tilapia fillet

Temperature Check

Target internal temperature: 145°F.

Tip 1

Light oil, gentle handling

Cod Fillet Salmon Fillet

Air Fryer Tilapia Fillet Time & Temp Guide

By Airfryer Conversion Chart Culinary Team • Reviewed on 2025-08-20

Air fryer tilapia is fast, light, and perfect for weeknights.

In testing, fresh fillets cooked through in 9–11 minutes at 400°F, while frozen fillets required 12–14 minutes at 390°F. Breaded tilapia was crisp at 10–12 minutes.

Always check with an instant-read thermometer for doneness (145°F).

Pro tip: Serve air fryer tilapia with lemon wedges or over rice with steamed veggies for a balanced meal.

Additional Information

Cooking Variants

• Fresh tilapia fillets: 9–11 min @ 400°F / 204°C
• Breaded tilapia: 10–12 min @ 390°F / 199°C
• Frozen tilapia fillets: 12–14 min @ 390°F / 199°C

Brand Adjustments

• ninja: ±0°F, time ×1
• cosori: -5°F, time ×0.95
• philips: 5°F, time ×1.05
• instant: 5°F, time ×1

Frozen Instructions

Add 2–3 minutes if cooking directly from frozen.

Sauce Cautions

• Avoid heavy liquid marinades in basket; brush fillets lightly instead.

Visual Doneness

• Fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Light golden edges on surface.

Troubleshooting

• Fillets sticking? Use parchment liners or a light spray of oil.
• Undercooked center? Add 2 minutes and re-check with thermometer.
• Too dry? Reduce cook time slightly or brush fillets with oil.

Leftovers

Refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat gently at 350°F for 4 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook tilapia in the air fryer?

9–11 minutes at 400°F for fresh fillets.

Can I cook tilapia from frozen?

Yes, 12–14 minutes at 390°F; confirm with thermometer.

Do I need to flip tilapia fillets?

Yes, flip halfway for even cooking.

What internal temperature should tilapia reach?

145°F for safe doneness.