Baked Tilapia

Baked Tilapia is an easy weeknight dinner with flaky, tender fish and a crisp, buttery topping. Finished with lemon, Parmesan, and crunchy Panko breadcrumbs, this recipe is fresh, flavorful, and ready in 20 minutes.

I am so excited to have partnered with Plan to Eat to bring you this easy tilapia recipe.

Contents show

1 Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Baked Tilapia

2 Ingredient Notes

3 How to Bake Tilapia

4 Storing Baked Tilapia

5 Quick Fish Dinners

5.1 Related Posts

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Baked Tilapia

• Skill Level: This recipe is perfect for anyone new to cooking fish since it’s simple, quick to make, and nearly foolproof with its light, flaky texture and easy seasoning.
• Budget Tip: Tilapia is an affordable, budget-friendly way to add more fish to the weekly dinner rotation without a lot of extra prep or expensive ingredients. 
• Serving Suggestions: Serve baked tilapia with rice and veggies, like roasted broccoli or a fresh summer salad for an easy, well-balanced meal.

Total Time: 20 Minutes Servings: 4 filets Cooking Method: Baked, then Broiled

Ingredient Notes

• Fish: White tilapia fillets are mild, budget-friendly, and quick cooking. Cod, haddock, pollock, or sole also work well, although thicker fillets may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
• Panko: Panko breadcrumbs give the topping its light, crispy texture and golden crunch, but regular breadcrumbs can be used for a softer, finer crust.
• Parmesan: Parmesan cheese adds a salty, savory flavor to the topping. Freshly shredded parmesan melts beautifully, while grated parmesan creates a finer, more even crust.
• Herbs & Seasoning: Garlic powder adds savory flavor without extra moisture, while paprika gives the dish a bit of depth. Garnish with fresh parsley, or substitute with dried parsley if that’s what you have on hand.

How to Bake Tilapia

1. Stir together the Parmesan panko mixture and pat the tilapia dry.
2. Place it in the pan and drizzle with melted butter and a squeeze of lemon.
3. Sprinkle the Parmesan panko mixture over the fish and bake (full recipe below).

Storing Baked Tilapia

• Leftovers: Keep leftover baked tilapia in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Freeze cooked tilapia in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently.
• Reheating: Reheat in a 300°F oven or air fryer just until warmed through. The microwave works, but the topping will soften, and the fish can dry out if overheated.

Did you enjoy this Baked Tilapia? Leave a comment and rating below.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

• Preheat oven to 400°F.

• To create the topping, in a small bowl mix Panko, Parmesan, parsley, melted butter, garlic powder and paprika.

• Rinse tilapia filets, pat dry and place on a pan sprayed with cooking spray.

• Drizzle with butter. Squeeze lemon juice over the filets.

• Top with the Panko mixture.

• Cook 15 minutes or just until cooked through and fish is flaky.

• Broil for the last minute if desired

Broil for the last minute if desired.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

Calories: 240 | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 532mg | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 8.5mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

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