Air Fryer Tilapia with Garlic Calamansi Sauce
A quick and easy air fryer recipe for tilapia fillets, perfectly seasoned and served with a bright garlic calamansi sauce.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 220kcal
Ingredients
For the Tilapia
- 2-4 pieces tilapia fillets Use fresh or properly thawed frozen fillets
- to taste teaspoon salt
- to taste teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder Optional
- 1 teaspoon paprika Optional for color
- 1-2 tablespoons oil (or oil spray) For greasing the air fryer basket
For the Garlic Calamansi Sauce
- 3 tablespoons calamansi juice Can be substituted with lime and orange juice
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey Adjust to taste
- to taste teaspoon chili flakes or chopped chili Optional for heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Thaw and dry the fish. If frozen, thaw in the fridge or in a sealed bag in cold water. Then pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the fish with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add paprika if desired.
- Preheat the air fryer if needed. Lightly oil the basket or use perforated parchment designed for air fryers.
Cooking
- Lay the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for approximately 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Adjust cooking time for thinner fillets (8-10 minutes).
- While the fish cooks, prepare the garlic calamansi sauce by mixing calamansi juice, minced garlic, soy sauce or fish sauce, and sugar. Adjust to taste.
Serving
- Drizzle the sauce over the fish before serving or serve it on the side for dipping.
Notes
Store the sauce separately to keep the fish crisp. Reheat in the air fryer for best texture.