Air Fryer Tilapia and Broccoli: Quick Weeknight Dinner

Tilapia fillets (3/4–1 inch thick) need 10–12 minutes at 390–400°F to cook through to 145°F, with the fish becoming opaque and flaking easily. Broccoli florets (medium-sized) need 10–12 minutes at 375–390°F to become tender with lightly charred edges. Cook both at 390°F — a compromise temperature that works well for each. Place the fish on one side and broccoli on the other so you can shake the broccoli at 6 minutes without disturbing the fish. Both are done at 10–12 minutes.

1. Preheat air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes. 2. Cut broccoli into medium-sized florets. Toss with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. 3. Pat tilapia dry. Brush with olive oil. Season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Optionally squeeze lemon juice over the fish. 4. Place tilapia on one side of the basket and broccoli florets on the other in a single layer. 5. Cook at 390°F for 6 minutes. Open and shake the broccoli without disturbing the fish. 6. Cook 4–6 more minutes until tilapia reaches 145°F and broccoli is charred at the edges. Serve immediately.

Garlic, lemon, and olive oil is the go-to for both tilapia and broccoli — simple but effective. Old Bay seasoning on the tilapia with parmesan-dusted broccoli is a crowd-pleaser. For an Asian-inspired version, use soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger on both. A Cajun seasoning blend adds bold flavor without much effort. Herb-crusted tilapia (parsley, dill, garlic, panko) pairs well with broccoli seasoned with just olive oil and salt. The key is keeping the flavors aligned so both components taste like they belong in the same meal.

Tilapia is one of the most forgiving fish for air frying — thin fillets will cook in 8–9 minutes, while thicker ones need the full 12. The fish won't need flipping if placed skin-side down. For crispy broccoli, make sure the florets are dry and coated evenly with oil — wet broccoli steams rather than crisps. A sprinkle of parmesan over the broccoli in the final 2 minutes creates a cheesy crust. Cod and tilapia are interchangeable in this recipe with identical timing. For a larger batch, cook the broccoli first for 10 minutes, remove, then cook the tilapia separately.