Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe

baked tilapia with lemon in a baking pan

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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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time17

Total Time22

Course: Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean, Seafood

Servings:

Calories: 268kcal

Author: Julie Clark

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, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Pour the butter mixture over the fillets, covering them evenly. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the tilapia fillets. 1/2 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