Looking for the perfect Tilapia recipe? This Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is the ideal combination of easy and impressive. Budget friendly, kid approved and down right delicious tilapia that anyone can make!
Today’s recipe reminds us of our favorite oven baked pork chops! Pair with our roasted broccoli for the perfect dinner combo!
Why this Recipe Works
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia brings divergent tastes together! Tilapia is a budget friendly fish that holds up beautifully to all kinds of cooking methods.
I used to love fish sticks as a kid. (Who didn’t?!) This crusted tilapia adds a delicious sophistication to the familiar battered fish taste. Kids who gobble up fish sticks won’t bat an eye when you serve this Parmesan Crusted Tilapia instead!
- Budget friendly fish
- Pantry friendly ingredients
- Easy to make
- Kids love this dinner
Tilapia is also full of protein and good-for-you vitamins.
Ingredient Notes
- Tilapia. You’ll need about 1.5 pounds of fresh fish filets.
- Panko bread crumbs. These have a flakier consistency than other seasoned breadcrumbs. They make the tilapia extra flaky and light.
- Parmesan cheese. Make sure to use freshly shredded parmesan. Do not parmesan from a shaker.
How to Cook Tilapia
For this recipe, you’ll dip the tilapia filet in a bowl of egg whites first.
Then, dip the fish in a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
Place the Parmesan Crusted Tilapia filets on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees until the fish flakes with a fork. This should take 12 to 14 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
- Frozen tilapia. You can use frozen fish in this recipe. Just be sure to thaw it before hand.
- Use fresh Parmesan. Buy blocks of Parmesan and grate it yourself for best flavor and texture.
- Storing. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is best enjoyed immediately after cooking.
Recipe FAQs
To make this a freezer meal, freeze the parmesan crusted tilapia BEFORE baking. When ready to cook, thaw the filets in the fridge and bake according to recipe instructions.
I have not tested this recipe in the air fryer. If your air fryer has a baking setting, you can bake the tilapia at 400 F using either the baking pan or the air frying basket.
I do not recommend substituting other bread crumbs for panko. Panko bread crumbs absorb more moisture to create a light and crispy coating on the tilapia.
Favorite Seafood Recipes
- Almond Pesto Salmon
- Spicy Grilled Tilapia with Citrus Slaw
- Shrimp Pasta Salad
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Bruschetta Salmon
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Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Ingredients
- 5 large tilapia fillets about 1.5 pounds total
- 1 cup panko crumbs
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- pinch of crushed red pepper
- 1 large egg white
- 1 Tablespoon water
- parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a small shallow bowl, whisk egg white with water until frothy. Set aside.
- In a second small shallow bowl, combine panko with parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and crushed red pepper.
- Dip each piece of tilapia in whisked egg whites, then coat completely in parmesan crust.
- Place on a foil lined baking sheet, repeat for remaining fillets.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 12-14 minutes, until fish flakes with fork. Garnish with fresh parsley, optional.
Notes
- Cooking time may vary depending on size/thickness of fish.
- Frozen tilapia. You can use frozen fish in this recipe. Just be sure to thaw it before hand.
- Use fresh Parmesan. Buy blocks of Parmesan and grate it yourself for best flavor and texture.
- Storing. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is best enjoyed immediately after cooking.
Made this last weekend for my hubby- he absolutely LOVED it! I’ll be making this again for sure!
Mmm, this tilapia looks wonderful. My husband would love this. I don’t mind working out either, I usually struggle to find the time. Pinning!
Thanks for pinning Jennie!!
I love tilapia and salmon too and this tilapia sounds amazing with the parmesan panko crust! I am always looking for new ways to prepare fish so can’t wait to give this a try – pinning 🙂 Good luck with your new 40 days of exercise Aimee!
Thanks for pinning Kelly!! Give this a try, it’s pretty delicious!
Delicious. Almost makes me want to postpone pizza night tonight! But this looks perfect for a Saturday dinner.
This tilapia looks amazing! I miss having fish! The breading looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
This tilapia looks amazing! I would eat this every night for dinner if I could.
Tilapia is our family’s favorite dish. Pamesan is one of our favorite cheeses. This could be nothing less than delicious!
Match made in heaven 🙂
We have been eating a lot more healthy meals lately too. Hahaha you would never know from what I blog though 😉 I love this crusted tilapia idea! Sounds delicious!!!
This sounds so good! I’m also trying to better myself for Lent. Currently on a diet that is, on a daily basis, driving me *just* to the point of turning green and ripping my clothes off in an angered rage.
But I can do it. I said I would and I have to. Because of Lent…
But this fish sounds awesome. Perfect as you said for Friday meals. Can’t wait to pitch it to the wife who isn’t a fan of fish.
Haha!! If you’re looking for a new fish recipe, the almond crusted salmon is hands down my favorite!!!
Looks amazing!
I’ve never eaten tilapia! Maybe now is my time to start…
Sophie
http://what-sophie-said.blogspot.co.uk/
xxx
Good stuff 🙂
I want to make this but does it smell up your kitchen? I’ve made salmon inside on my stove top and it took two weeks to get the fishy smell out of my apartment. Maybe tilapia doesn’t smell as bad?!
I’m not sure, I love the smell of ANY dinner cooking 🙂
to get rid of unwanted smell, boil in a pan (rolling then simmer) about 3-4 cups of white vinegar for about 15 minutes…you can add more vinegar or a little bit of water to it too in case you want to extend.
I eat tilapia multiple times a week…but always the same way because I’m boring like that.
This looks like a super simple way to get a little more variety in my life…you can never go wrong with cheese!
Pinned
Thanks for pinning Taylor, give it a try, it’s quite delish 🙂