Air Fryer White Fish with Garlic and Lemon Pepper

Name: Air Fryer White Fish Garlic Lemon Pepper
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 oz (340 g) white fish fillets, such as tilapia, cod or haddock (2 fillets, about 6 oz each); Olive oil spray or 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning; 1/2 tsp onion powder, optional; Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste; 2 lemon wedges, plus extra for serving; Fresh parsley, chopped, to finish

This is the low-carb weeknight fish dinner when you want something healthy without heating the oven. Pat the fillets dry, season both sides, and cook until a fork flakes the center. Tilapia, cod, halibut and haddock all work; thicker fillets need a few extra minutes.

17 min total
360°F / 182°C
2 servings
5 min prep

Jump to recipe See steps

Air Fryer White Fish with Garlic and Lemon Pepper

Pat dry first

Wet fish steams instead of browning. Blot both sides with paper towels before oil and seasoning.

Thickness sets the clock

Thin tilapia may finish in 6-8 minutes. Thick cod or halibut can need 12. Pierce the thickest part with a fork; it should flake and look opaque.

Keep it from sticking

A light oil mist on the basket or a paper liner helps delicate fillets release in one piece. Do not stack fillets.

Air Fryer White Fish with Garlic and Lemon Pepper

Prep 5 min · Cook 12 min · Total 17 min · 2 servings

Air Fryer360°F / 182°C

Basket time10 min

Flip / shakesee steps

Tested onCosori 5.8 qt, 1700W

Crowding. Two fillets max in most 6 qt baskets. Stacked fish steams and tears when you flip or lift.

Basket liner (optional). Paper liners help delicate fillets release without tearing. Lightly oil the liner or basket base. A light oil coat on the fish matters more than extra seasoning.

Ingredients

Servings

Fish

12 oz (340 g) white fish fillets, such as tilapia, cod or haddock (2 fillets, about 6 oz each)
Olive oil spray or 1 tbsp olive oil

Seasoning

1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder, optional
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Finish

2 lemon wedges, plus extra for serving
Fresh parsley, chopped, to finish

Oven fallback

400°F / 204°C · 12 minutes.

Oiled sheet pan, same seasonings. Bake until flaky; broil 1 minute for color if you like.

Kitchen tips

Cod, halibut, sea bass and sole all work with the same method; adjust time by thickness.
From frozen: add 5-8 minutes and do not thaw first.
Swap lemon pepper for paprika, curry powder or taco seasoning for different dinners.
Leftovers reheat at 325°F (163°C) for 3-4 minutes. Do not microwave if you want them moist.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Prep

Pat the fish fillets dry. Brush or spray both sides lightly with oil, then season both sides with garlic powder, lemon pepper, onion powder if using, salt and pepper.
White fish fillets seasoned with garlic and lemon pepper

Cook

Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
Lightly oil the basket or use a paper liner. Lay fillets in a single layer with lemon wedges beside them. Do not overlap.
White fish fillets and lemon wedges in the air fryer basket
Air fry 6-12 minutes until the center flakes with a fork and looks opaque. Thin tilapia often needs 8 minutes; thick cod may need the full 12.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve with the warmed lemon wedges and extra lemon at the table.