25-Minute Crispy Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

Tortilla crusted tilapia on a plate with lime wedges.

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25-Minute Crispy Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

Crispy, golden tortilla crusted tilapia is quick, easy, and delicious! This breaded tilapia recipe is packed with Tex-Mex flavor and can be baked in the oven, pan-fried in a skillet on the stovetop, or cooked in an air fryer.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Servings: servings

Calories: 446kcal

Author: Angela Lietzke

Equipment

Air Fryer
3 shallow bowls

Ingredients

4 tilapia fillets 6-8 ounces each
½ cup flour
1 egg
1 ½ cups tortilla chips crushed
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
mango pico de gallo recipe optional topping

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
Add tortilla chips and seasonings to a food processor and pulse until finely crushed. Alternatively, place them in a Ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Set up 3 shallow bowls for breading the tilapia: with flour, beaten egg, and crushed tortilla chip mixture.
Pat fish dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the tilapia with salt and pepper. Dredge the fish in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, press it into the crushed tortilla chips, gently pressing to help the coating adhere. Repeat until all tilapia is breaded.
Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Lightly spray the top with cooking spray. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the fish is crispy and cooked through.
Serve with a lime wedge and topped with mango pico de gallo, if desired.

Notes

Tilapia should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Cooking Methods:
- Skillet pan-fried - Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the tilapia for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Oven baked - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded tilapia on a greased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.

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