Introduction
Brazilian coastal cooking is all about bold freshness. Lime. Garlic. Herbs. Chilli. Good fish. Nothing complicated. Nothing hidden. Just bright flavours, hot grills, beach bars, and fish that tastes like it was caught this morning and cooked this afternoon. These tilapia bites are packed with citrus and garlic, lightly charred in the air fryer, and finished with fresh herbs for the sort of meal you'd happily eat overlooking Copacabana with a cold drink in hand. Simple. Fresh. Properly addictive.
You’ll Need
500g tilapia fillets, cut into bite-sized chunks
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Juice of 2 limes
Zest of 1 lime
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp chilli flakes
Small handful fresh coriander, chopped
To Finish
Extra lime wedges
Fresh coriander
Optional but Dangerous
Coconut rice
Black bean salad
Avocado salsa
Hot sauce
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.
In a bowl combine the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, chilli flakes, and half the coriander.
Add the tilapia pieces and coat thoroughly.
Allow to marinate for 15 minutes if you've got time.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Arrange the fish pieces in a single layer.
Air fry at 200°C for 8–10 minutes, shaking gently halfway through, until lightly golden and cooked through.
During the final minute, squeeze over a little extra lime juice.
Allow the fish to rest for 1 minute before serving.
Finish with the remaining coriander and extra lime wedges.
Serve immediately with rice, beans, or avocado salsa if using.