Julie Clark
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Baked Tilapia Recipe
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This light and flaky baked tilapia is topped with a buttery garlic and lemon sauce and finished with a golden Parmesan topping.
You love our baked cod recipe and chili lime tilapia with mango salsa, so now its time to try our newest garlic lemon butter tilapia fillets! The baked tilapia is broiled the last few minutes to add a golden crust. This fish dinner comes together in under 25 minutes, making it great for busy weeknight meals.
25 Minute Baked Tilapia for An Easy Dinner Win
Growing up, I was never much a fish lover except if it was a deep fried fish. But since discovering mild fish like tilapia and cod, I could eat it several times a week, especially when served in a delicious lemon butter sauce!
This oven baked tilapia bakes in a sauce similar to our garlic butter salmon. It really gives the fish amazing flavor that is restaurant quality!
This fish will only take 10-15 minutes to bake, and you’ll know it is done when it reaches 145ºF in the center.
Serve the baked tilapia with a green salad or veggies, roasted potatoes and a slice of milk bread.
Try our salmon burgers next!
Enjoy! -Julie
Ingredients
Buy tilapia in just about any grocery store, even Aldi. Fresh or frozen will work for this, but if it is frozen, allow the fish fillets to fully thaw before baking.
Buy a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh instead of using the store bought container kind because it will not melt and possibly leave a gritty texture.
Use a fresh lemon rather than bottled lemon juice. The lemon zest adds so much flavor!
Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe
This light and flaky baked tilapia is topped with a buttery garlic and lemon sauce and finished with a golden Parmesan topping.
Servings 6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 tilapia fillets about 4–6 ounces each
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (or olive oil)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnishes
Instructions
- Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 400°F. (Or line with foil for easy cleanup.)
- Spread the fillets out in the baking dish in a single layer. Using some paper towels, gently blot the tilapia dry to remove any moisture. 6 tilapia fillets
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning until combined. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 3 cloves garlic, Zest of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Pour the butter mixture over the fillets, covering them evenly. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the tilapia fillets. ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the fillets are opaque and cooked through. Place the fillets under the broiler for 4-5 minutes, allowing the tops to get golden in color. Rotate the baking dish once halfway through. Be sure to watch the broiling carefully, as to not burn the fish.
- Remove from the oven and spoon additional sauce from the baking dish over the top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges to squeeze. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices,
Notes
Although the fish cooks in the pan sauce, it can over-bake quickly as tilapia tends to be cut in thin fillets. Check on the dish at 10 minutes in and watch carefully. If it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque white, then it is done cooking.
If you want to add a little crunch to the tilapia, you can mix the parmesan with some panko or Italian breadcrumbs, then gently pat onto the top of the fillets.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave, in an air fryer, or stove top until heated through. Save the pan sauce to add more flavor.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 6, with 1 serving being 1 tilapia filet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 497IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 1mg
How to Make Baked Tilapia: Step by Step
Prepare the tilapia. Spread the fillets out in the baking dish in a single layer. Using some paper towels, gently blot the tilapia dry to remove any moisture.
Make the marinade. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning until combined.
Assemble the tilapia. Pour the butter mixture over the fillets, covering them evenly. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the tilapia fillets.
Bake the tilapia. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the fillets are opaque and cooked through. Place the fillets under the broiler for 4-5 minutes, allowing the tops to get golden in color. Rotate the baking dish once halfway through. Be sure to watch the broiling carefully, as to not burn the fish.
