Description
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is a quick and easy dinner recipe featuring tender tilapia fillets coated in a crispy, cheesy Parmesan and breadcrumb crust. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish balances crunchy texture with a savory, flavorful crust that’s perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Healthy, customizable, and packed with protein, it’s a delicious choice for any seafood lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (4–6 ounces each), fresh or thawed
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all the flavors.
- Brush Tilapia with Oil or Butter: Lightly coat each tilapia fillet with olive oil or melted butter. This helps the crust adhere better and promotes a golden brown finish during cooking.
- Coat the Fillets: Press each fillet firmly into the Parmesan and breadcrumb mixture, ensuring both sides are well covered with the crispy coating.
- Cook the Tilapia: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side until the crust is golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve Warm: Transfer the cooked fillets to plates and squeeze fresh lemon juice over them if desired, adding a bright, fresh contrast to the rich crust.
Notes
- Use fresh or completely thawed tilapia for the best texture and even cooking.
- Pat the fillets dry before coating to help the crust stick better and stay crispy.
- Press firmly when applying the Parmesan mixture to ensure it adheres well.
- Cook fillets without overcrowding the pan to maintain an even sear and a crisp crust.
- Cook over medium heat to brown the crust perfectly without burning the fish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying (Alternative: Baking)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approx. 5 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 75mg