Parmesan Tilapia

This Parmesan Tilapia is an easy low-carb option for dinner with a cooking time under 20 minutes. It’s amazing what a little olive oil, fresh herbs, and freshly grated cheese can do to spice up a simple piece of fish! This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal, and it’s light and full of flavor. How can you say no to that?

If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal you can prepare after running around all day, this fresh parmesan crusted tilapia recipe is the one for you! There are only a few simple ingredients and it couldn’t be much easier, making this a perfect recipe to try if it’s your first time making tilapia.

Tilapia is one of those fish that’s super versatile! You can grill it, bake it, bread it, season it, fry it, and even steam it! It’s a fish with a very mild flavor, so it’s easy to add a variety of different flavorings and toppings. We will keep it simple today, with just a handful of fresh ingredients and a quick bake in the oven.

Recipe Notes

• Any white fish will do. I prefer using fresh tilapia fillets for this recipe, but some alternatives are flounder, rainbow trout, sea bass, cod, or even catfish.
• Feel free to use just one of the herbs, or customize the recipe by using others to your liking. 

Ingredients Needed for Parmesan Tilapia

Gather together the following ingredients for this easy dinner recipe:

• Tilapia fillets- fresh filets are best, but you can use frozen ones and thaw them.
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice- fresh is best, but you can use the bottled stuff.
• Parmesan cheese- use grated cheese, not the powdered kind in the can.
• Fresh dill, chopped
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon slices or lemon wedges for serving, optional

Check out the recipe card below for the exact amounts you’ll need.

How to make Parmesan Tilapia with Herbs

This recipe is so easy you almost don’t need a recipe!

1. First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a piece of parchment paper.
2. Next, combine the olive oil and lemon juice in one dredging dish or shallow bowl and the Parmesan cheese mixture with fresh herbs in another.
3. Dredge each fish fillet in the olive oil/lemon juice, covering both sides. Then dredge the tilapia filets in the Parmesan mixture. Pat any remaining cheese mixture onto the fish.
4. Place fillets on the baking sheet in a single layer, then bake for 11-13 minutes in the preheated oven until the fish is opaque at its thickest part.

Serve and enjoy!

FAQs

What goes well with Parmesan Tilapia?

Serve this easy recipe with a light and fresh veggie, like Mexican Corn Salad or Moroccan Carrots. Or serve it with some salad and fresh bread. I particularly recommend this Stone Fruit and Radish Salad.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs in this tilapia recipe?

Yes, you can. Dried herbs are much more potent than fresh herbs, so you’ll only need a pinch of each. The ratio for dried herbs is 1 teaspoon per tablespoon of fresh herbs.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe is for 2 filets, so if you are feeding more people, it’s a good idea to double or triple the recipe to feed the whole family.

How do I store leftover Parmesan Tilapia?

Let your fish cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Cooked fish will last 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze cooked Tilapia?

Yes! For best quality, freeze cooked fish for up to 3 months in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Need More Fish Recipes?

These are some of my favorite fish recipes for an easy, delicious meal:

• These Beer Battered Fish Tacos are full of flavor, especially when topped with a delightful homemade Avocado Corn Salsa!
• Salmon Capers and Dill: This Irish dish consists of salmon with briny capers & fresh dill and has quickly become one of my family’s favorite meals!
• Indulge in a restaurant quality meal with this Pecan Crusted Snapper with Sweet Potato Puree. It’s a lovely meal for a special occasion.
• Another family favorite is Salmon with Figs, Bacon, and Pistachios. Fresh salmon is smothered in a scrumptious fig spread and topped with chopped nuts for a delightful dinner!

This post was originally published April 12, 2018, and has been updated in format and with pictures on June 27, 2024.