This Parmesan Crusted Tilapia recipe is coated in a cheesy, lemon pepper mixture, then oven baked until crispy. This is a simple, healthy fish recipe you’ll be excited to eat! It is so flavorful, made with just a few ingredients in under 20 minutes.
What’s in this Baked Tilapia Recipe
- Tilapia Filets: Use 4 oz filets. You can use fresh or frozen fish, but I do recommend thawing it if you use frozen. The better quality the fish, the better it’s going to taste!
- Parmesan: Use grated Parmesan cheese in the seasoning mixture–this will be pressed into the surface of the fish. Then use shredded Parmesan on top of each filet to create that crispy crust in the oven.
- Seasonings: Lemon pepper adds the perfect balance of bright and spicy, without overwhelming the tilapia. There’s also chopped Parsley in the mix, and you can add salt, but it’s fine to skip.
- Olive Oil: Your regular olive oil will work great for this recipe, but don’t use EVOO.
Tilapia doesn’t have much of “fishy” odor or flavor, but if that bothers you, you can soak it in milk before cooking–15 minutes should do the trick!
Switch up the flavor
It’s really easy to change up the flavor of this Parmesan crusted tilapia by mixing in different seasonings, spices, and herbs to the cheese mixture.
- Instead of lemon pepper, you could use Italian seasoning, Creole seasoning, or Blackened seasoning.
- Add garlic powder or garlic salt.
- Use cilantro, Tarragon, or another herb in place of the Parsley.
- Mixing in some red pepper flakes will add some heat.
I recommend baking tilapia at 400F. This is ideal so that it will cook through fully relatively fast, without overcooking or burning.
No, there is no need to flip the fish filets during the cooking time.
It should only take about 10 minutes to cook at 400F. Be sure to check for doneness.
When cooked through, tilapia will be opaque with a white color. It should also flake easily when you test it with a fork. Check it at the thickest part of the filet.
As with many fish and seafoods, tilapia is a low calorie source of protein, filled with plenty of other nutrients. It includes significant amounts of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, vitamin B12, niacin, and vitamin B6.
You can tell that tilapia has gone bad if it develops a fishy odor or sour smell, or if it has a dull color and slimy texture.
Cook tilapia to an internal temperature of 145F.
No, according to food safety guidelines, it’s not recommended that you wash any fish before cooking.
How to store parmesan crusted tilapia
Let the fish cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container or resealable bag. Then keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
How to freeze/reheat tilapia
Once cooled, wrap individual tilapia filets in aluminum foil. Then plate the filets in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze up to 3 months.
To reheat, I recommend thawing in the fridge first. Then heat in the oven at 400F until fully heated through.
What to serve with baked tilapia
This Parmesan crusted tilapia is so simple but still flavorful, and it makes a great main dish if you want a healthy dinner. I like to garnish it with diced green onion and lemon slices to finish off the flavor nicely.
Serve it with a side of rice, vegetables, or greens. This lemon parmesan broccoli complements the flavor perfectly. Or cook up these roasted vegetables in the Air Fryer.
More fish recipes we Love
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.
Parmesan Crusted Lemon Pepper Tilapia Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia filets about 4 oz each
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon salt see note
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup diced green onions optional
- lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Mix together the grated Parmesan, lemon pepper, parsley and salt. Drizzle the tilapia with olive oil, then coat with the cheese mixture, pressing it in lightly with your fingers to make sure it sticks. sprinkle lightly with shredded parmesan. Transfer to foil lined baking sheet.3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon lemon pepper, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan, 4 tilapia filets
- Bake until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, about 10 minutes.
- To brown further, broil for about 5 more minutes until cheese crust is slightly crispy (watch carefully to make sure fish doesn’t burn)
- Top with green onions and serve and serve with lemon wedges, optional.1/4 cup diced green onions, lemon
- Enjoy!
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
This is one of the best and easiest recipes I have made. The family loved it, including the 6 & 7 year old grandchildren. I’ve made it several times and it is always a hit. I just saw the post about it being coated on one or both sides and read it’s only one. Ha ha, I’ve been doing both all along. Maybe that’s why it’s so amazing as well!
Do what works for you! Glad you enjoyed it, Jill!
Is the fish coated with the Parmesan mixture on both sides?
Just on top!
Easy recipe but way too salty. Was disappointed
Modify to your liking!
I went easy on the salt and mine turned out perfect!
I absolutely LOVED this recipe! I made per the directions, but omitted the salt and it was PERFECT! I did pair with steamed veggies and leftover pasta and red sauce and that was amazing!
Thanks for sharing, Mikaela!
I omit the salt as well, I like to add just a little paprika for a little smokey taste. Not much just a sprinkle added to the parm/ lemon pepper mixture.
It was delicious! Even my 3 years old kid who doesn’t like fish almost finished half of her tilapia. We paired it with couscous and sauteed bell pepper. The whole family loved it.
That’s so good to hear!
I think the recipe was excellent, but the fish was just not meant to be eaten.
To each their own!
Cooked this scaled down for one in the air fryer. Delicious- even I forgot to add the shredded Parmesan! It browned nicely in 10 minutes. Thank you for an easy, healthy and delicious recipe!
Thanks for sharing, Dianne!
I love everything about this recipe, easy, quick, and delicious. It pairs well with couscous and a steamed veggie of your choosing. I didn’t have lemon pepper on hand, so just used pepper and squeezed lemon juice just before serving. I would post a picture, but it is all gone.
I love to hear that!
Way to salty…not a fan
I am sorry it wasn’t for you, you can modify to your taste!
I did not find it salty like everyone says, however, I grated my own fresh parmesean cheese and didn’t have the lemon pepper seasoning. Then again, I am a salt fiend so….
This recipe was delicious. It was quick and easy. I loved it. I would highly recommend
Thanks for sharing, Deena!