Tilapia is a fish that my family totally devours. When I made this recipe, my son blurted out that this Parmesan Crusted Tilapia recipe was a definite keeper. It was like one of those fancy dishes you order at a fine restaurant minus the hefty price tag. When I saw how quickly my family demolished this deliciousness, sharing this recipe was a no-brainer. Oh yesss! These baked tilapia fillets are a must-have for your Valentine’s Day or Date Night menu.
Recipe Ingredients
Spice up this mild fish fillet with some herbs and spices for a spectacular flavor explosion. Here’s what you’ll need to make parmesan-crusted tilapia:
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Prep the Fish
Season – Bring the tilapia fillets to room temperature. Position them on a wooden cutting board and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Then spread the mustard on top of each side of the fillet. (Photos 1-2)Breading – In a medium bowl, combine ingredients for the crumb crust: parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, pepper flakes, paprika, and chopped parsley. Combine thoroughly. (Photos 3-4)Coat the Tilapia – Coat both sides of the fish with the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture by placing the fish on the crumbs mixture and pressing it down firmly to make it stick, then flip and repeat the process. (Photos 5-6)
Bake the Fillets
Bake – Carefully place the fillets on the parchment-paper-lined baking tray, then spray the top with cooking spray. Bake for about 10 minutes, or a little more, depending on the fillet’s thickness. The crust will be beautifully golden, and the fish will be flaky, with an internal temperature is 140℉/60℃ on the thermometer. (Photos 7-8)Serve – Garnish immediately with lemon slices and serve with rice, veggies, or salad.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instruction
This parmesan-crusted tilapia is super easy with little prep. And making it ahead is also a breeze. Season and coat the fillets as instructed, line them up in a baking dish in a single layer, then flash freeze. Once frozen, transfer the prepared fillets to a freezer bag and label accordingly. They will stay fresh for at least four months in the freezer.
Serving and Storing Instructions
Let’s keep it simple and healthy by serving this parmesan-crusted tilapia with salad, like avocado corn salad or bacon broccoli salad. And it’s fun to dip these babies in sauces, such as remoulade or tartar sauce. Oh yes! You can store the leftover tilapia in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with a cling wrap or foil. They will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days and for one month in the freezer. Crisp them back up by reheating them in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or 3-5 minutes in an air fryer—no need to thaw if frozen.
What to Serve with Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Fish and veggies are always a perfect combo. So you can’t go wrong with pairing this Parmesan-crusted tilapia with these healthy and nourishing vegetable side dishes below.
Sauteed Brussels SproutRoasted Potatoes and CarrotsMustard GreensSauteed KaleGreen Bean Casserole
More Savory Fish Recipes to Try
Oven-Baked TilapiaFish and GritsCaribbean Fish StewFish Fillet in Cream SauceGrilled Tilapia (African Style)
Conclusion
This tilapia with a gorgeous parmesan breadcrumb crust makes a great alternative to fried chicken and pork chops. Do you prefer fish baked, grilled, or fried? If you love baked fish, check out these 10 Healthy Baked Fish Recipes to add to your weekly dinner rotations. This blog post was initially published in February 2018 and has been updated with additional tips and new photos.
