This Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is a simple fish recipe that is done in 20 minutes and will even impress non-fish lovers!
I always feel a little fancy when we eat fish at home, so serve this with some Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding with Raspberries and Salted Caramel, and your date night in is planned!!
Before I started blogging, I don’t think I ever made fish. Thinking that it was hard. Not knowing what to do.
I was so wrong.
Once I actually tried it, I realized that it is actually really easy. And really fast.
I am now a huge fan. Especially when it comes to a recipe as easy as this Parmesan Crusted Tilapia!
What You’ll Need:
- Parmesan Cheese – freshly grated definitely works the best for this recipe, in my opinion. But others have made this with the canned Parmesan and have liked it!
- Paprika – this adds flavor and color. I will sometimes use smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
- Parsley – for color and freshness.
- Salt – I like things salty, so I like to add a little salt. Feel free to leave this out if the Parmesan is salty enough for you.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – you’ll need this so that the cheese mixture will stick to the fish.
- Tilapia – I used tilapia because it is easy for me to get, but any firm, white fish will work.
- Lemon – in my opinion, you can never go wrong with a squeeze of fresh lemon on fish. It holds true on this recipe, as well.
How to Make It
MIX: Combine the parmesan, paprika, parsley, and salt. I like to do this in a shallow bowl or on a plate.
DRIZZLE: Cover both sides of the fish with the olive oil.
COAT: Dredge each piece of fish in the parmesan mixture, coating both sides. Use your hands to pat the cheese and seasonings into the fish, if needed.
BAKE: Bake the filets until the fish is opaque in the thickest part of the fish. For a normal sized tilapia filet, this should take about 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
This is a super simple dish, so I think a couple super simple side dishes are all you need. I love this Lemon Broccoli or these Sauteed Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes. I would just keep it simple!
I think one common misconception with this recipe is that it should be crispy. u0022Crustedu0022 in this instance just means that it is covered in Parmesan. I have had people say that they pan fry it first before baking, which will make it a little more crispy. You could also add some bread crumbs, if you want more of a crispy crust.
Yes! If you are using frozen fish, just make sure to fully thaw it before cooking. I like to thaw frozen fish in the refrigerator overnight.
I have made this with other firm, white fish (like halibut) but my guess is that as long as it is a firm fish, this would be delicious!
One thing that I love about this recipe is that it is easy to change it up. I mentioned that I like to use smoked paprika, but lemon pepper, old bay seasoning, a bit of cajun seasoning, or garlic powder would be delicious. Feel free to play around with the recipe and make it your own!
More Delicious Seafood Recipes
Take a trip back to your childhood with this classic Tuna Casserole recipe.
When I’m craving salmon, this Soy Ginger Salmon is the one that always pops into my mind.
In the mood for tacos? Try these Fried Fish Tacos for a bit of Tex-Mex at home.
This Moo Shu Shrimp is packed with flavor and are perfect any night of the week.
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Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ,optional
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tilapia filets ,about 4 oz each*
- lemon ,cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the Parmesan, paprika, parsley and salt. Drizzle the tilapia with the olive oil, then dredge in the cheese mixture, pressing it in lightly with your fingers if necessary. Transfer to the baking sheet.
- Bake until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, 10-12 minutes. Serve with the lemon slices.
Nancy Piccioni-Hann says
Had it tonight and it was delicious! However, I would think twice about buying my talapia frozen from Cosco or anywhere. Almost all of the frozen bulk bags of fish come from China. It is not substantianably caught and you don’t want to know what their fed if raised in tanks. Sometimes it is not even talapia. For info on better choices check out Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood watch. They will help make all seafood choices safe for you and the planet.
Cecilia says
Looks delicious. Making this tonight for dinner.
Deborah says
I hope you love it!
Cecilia says
Delicious!! A keeper recipe! Thank you for sharing a delicious recipe for Tilapia.
Debbie says
Please!!! Fish DOES NOT go with cheese”……….so I went ahead and tried this……ugh….like I said Fish and cheese don’t work!!!
This was worried, and thru it in the trash.
Deborah says
Sorry you didn’t love it! This recipe normally goes over very well, but I know everyone has different tastes. Hope you like the next one better!
Kate KB says
Cheese does go with fish!
Gay says
Just made this for dinner,and it was quite delicious. I will try with salmon next time. My hubby and I loved it!
Deborah says
I’m so glad it was a hit!
Taloya Cleare says
What are the nutritional facts? I made this, it was so oooooo good.
Dori says
This looks so light and yummy. Perfect for a summer evening meal.
julia says
Wow,made this tonight and it was delicious! And so easy!
Cecilia says
Delicious!!!!! Thank you!! Hubby and I truly enjoyed this tilapia recipe! A keeper recipe.
Patty says
can you use any kind of fish? thank you.
Deborah says
I have only tried it with tilapia, but I’m guessing it would go well on any firm fish!
Rhodora says
Made this tonight. So easy to make yet so delicious! Both my 2 year old daughter and hubby liked it very much! Thank you 🙂
Deborah says
It’s one of my favorites – so glad it was well received!
Patsy says
Fixed this last night. Hubby loved it! Didn’t have grated Parmesan Cheese, so I used the kind you put on pizza and spaghetti. Turned out wonderful, lot’s of flavor. Will use this recipe again and again! THANKS!
Deborah says
So happy it was a hit!
Jeff says
Made this tonight for my four boys,11,9,twin four year olds and 11 year old nephew, they and I all enjoyed it with roasted broccoli and black beans!!! I adjusted seansiong a little with old bay,Tony’s,cracked pepper and chilli lime mrs dash. I also used 1/2 fresh parm and 1/2 powdered bc that’s what I had. Thanks
Deborah says
I’m so glad it was a hit – especially with the kids!!!
Betty says
May I ask for help here? I am needing the Nutrition on the Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, this dose not give me this information, I am on a low Carb diet and need this information.
Calories, Fat, Sugar, Protein, Carbs, net Carbs if any and so on.
Can anyone help?
Deborah says
Hi Betty, I don’t provide nutritional counts, but there are lots of websites online where you can enter the recipe and it will give you all of the nutritional information. My favorite is caloriecount.com
Dorota | HappyForks.com says
Hi, I’ve counted it for you in our analyser. One serving is about 4,7oz. The nutrition value:
197 calories
29g (1oz) protein
6,2g (0,22oz) fat
6,7g (0,24) carbohydrates
0,35g (0,012oz) sugar
Munyetes says
I can’t find Parmesan cheese around here. Can i use the other cheese top?
Deborah says
Any hard cheese should work, I would guess. I would just look for something that is similar to a Parmesan or a Pecorino.
Mary says
Can I use any type of fish?
Deborah says
I would guess that any firm white fish would work.
Crista-Marie says
LOVE this recipe! and my husband, who isn’t a tilapia fan, even likes it. Have made it several times now.
Deborah says
I’m glad you could convert him!! 🙂
Janice Rudy says
Your recipes sound delicious.we are especially interested in seafood recipes.