Description

A quick and easy 15-minute weeknight dinner featuring crispy, golden tilapia fillets cooked in an air fryer and topped with a bright, tangy lemon caper sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs (680g) white fish fillets (tilapia, cod, haddock, or snapper)
1 cup (100g) Panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons dry white wine (optional, substitute with chicken broth or extra lemon juice)

Instructions

Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
In a shallow bowl, mix Panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Lightly brush or spray both sides of the fish with oil, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides. Shake off excess.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Place breaded fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping. Lightly spray tops with oil.
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
While the fish cooks, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
Add lemon juice, lemon zest, capers, Dijon mustard, and white wine to the skillet.
Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it reduces slightly and thickens. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Plate the crispy tilapia and drizzle the lemon caper sauce over the top. Garnish with parsley or a lemon wedge and serve immediately.

Notes

Patting the fish dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper to the breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free Panko. For a dairy-free version, replace butter with olive oil.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
Calories: 280
Sodium: 450
Fat: 12
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 15
Fiber: 1
Protein: 25

Keywords: air fryer tilapia, crispy fish, lemon caper sauce, weeknight dinner, healthy seafood, quick recipes, gluten-free option