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.
Opal says
First off, WOW. Thank you so much for the recipe. It was so easy! You had my 4 year old twins and my husband grubbing. I said don’t look at me! Call Deborah 😄. I cooked some white rice in chicken broth to give it a good flavor. Then for the fish, I didn’t have straight parm cheese but I did have a bag of Italian blend so that was like 35 cheeses mixed together! I put this in the oven, blinked, and it was done! Forgot to set the timer and everything. Served it over rice with some spinach – oatmeal muffins for the veggies (don’t ask) and then voila! Thank you for feeding my family tonight and making it easy on me. This was just too good.
Deborah says
I’m so glad it was a hit. Thanks, Opal!
Derek S says
tasty and simple will do again
Jessica says
5 stars!