This tilapia recipe is simple to put together, and the fish cooks in minutes in your air fryer. The tilapia comes out of the air fryer moist and full of flavor with layers of pesto, tomato slices, seasoned bread crumbs, and mozzarella cheese. A few fresh basil leaves top the fish and provide extra flavor as well as color. I make and use my own pesto when I have fresh basil growing in the yard (which I do now), but I also use the store-bought version in the winter months. Either works fine to make the recipe. The dish is low in carbohydrates, nutritious, and great if you're on a diabetic diet or simply want to "eat healthy." The fish is light, full of protein, and has plenty of the traditional "caprese" taste. We like the fish with a green vegetable and salad. It's also great with this easy corn casserole, if you're not watching your carbs: https://www.thenfeedthem.com/post/how-to-make-a-southern-style-corn-casserole-in-your-air-fryer. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Tilapia Caprese (Diabetic Friendly) -- Serves 2+
3/4 pound of tilapia fillets
2-3 teaspoons of basil pesto
3-4 small tomatoes, cut into slices
1-2 tablespoons of seasoned Panko bread crumbs (whole-wheat, if you can find them)
Olive oil or olive oil spray
1-3 tablespoons of fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small pieces (or use 12 mozzarella "pearls" cut into pieces)
Fresh basil leaves
Cut a piece of aluminum foil to fit your air fryer basket and an inch or two up the sides of the basket (or line an 8-inch pan that will fit in the basket with foil) and spritz the foil well with non-stick cooking spray. Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel and cut them in half following the center line that runs vertically up the center of the fish. Place the fish on the foil, with the largest pieces to the sides and the thinner pieces overlapping a bit, in the middle. Spread the pesto evenly over the fish pieces, covering the pieces with a thin layer of the pesto. Top the pesto with the tomato slices. Sprinkle the panko crumbs evenly over the top of the tomatoes. Spritz the top of the panko well with olive oil spray (or drizzle on a little olive oil). Air fry the fish at 360 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the fish is done to your liking. Sprinkle the chopped mozzarella pieces evenly on top of the cooked fish and air fry the fish a minute or two longer--just long enough to melt the mozzarella. Just before serving the fish, top it with fresh, torn basil leaves.
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