Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
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Updated: 05/29/25
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This Parmesan Crusted Tilapia recipe is a quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring tender tilapia fillets coated in a crispy Parmesan and Panko breadcrumb crust—perfect for adding a flavorful fish dish to your weekly meal rotation.
Is fish part of your dinner rotation? I like tucking in a fish dish here and there, like cauliflower rice fish taco bowls, just to keep things interesting. This parmesan crusted baked tilapia is one of our family favorites!
I know fish isn’t always the most highly requested dinner, but when you bread tilapia and pop it in the oven, it comes out hot and crispy. It’s almost like fried fish but so much healthier, and I’ve never seen it turned down!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This crispy baked fish is similar in taste and texture to fried fish, but without all the oil and mess from frying!
- It’s super simple recipe to make – you only need four ingredients and 30 minutes before this tasty main dish is ready to eat.
- Tilapia is really easy to cook and doesn’t require much skill in the kitchen. So this recipe is great for beginners!
Very easy and very good!! Will make it again!!
Ingredients for Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
- Tilapia filets – If you purchase frozen tilapia fillets, allow them to thaw before using them in this crusted tilapia recipe.
- Panko bread crumbs – This is all you need to make the most crispy, crunchy outer crust for parmesan crusted tilapia. If you need this to be gluten free make sure to use gluten-free Panko Bread Crumbs.
- Parmesan cheese – You’ll want to use shredded instead of grated parmesan cheese. Of course, for best results, shred your own cheese.
- Butter – Melted salted or unsalted butter will work for this easy recipe.
How to cook tilapia
In a large mixing bowl mix together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and melted butter.
Place tilapia on a greased baking sheet and cover the top of each fillet with the Panko and cheese mixture.
Bake parmesan crusted tilapia for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is golden brown, in an oven preheated to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serve immediately with your favorite side dish.
Pro Tips!
- Give this yummy crusted tilapia extra flavor by seasoning the panko bread crumbs. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are my favorites!
- Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make clean-up even easier.
- If you are non-dairy, use olive oil in place of butter.
- Sprinkle each fillet with a bit of fresh lemon juice for a tasty zing with each bite of crispy fish. Lemon slices on the side look great, too.
- Garnish the fish with herbs like fresh parsley to make it look even fancier!
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Leftover cooked tilapia will keep in the refrigerator for up three to four days. Place it into an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Freezer: Wrap each fillet tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it into a freezer safe bag. Or, place leftover fish into an airtight container. Freeze cooked tilapia for up to three months.
To reheat, place into the oven until warmed through. Keep in mind that the panko breading may not crisp up as much when reheated. But it will still taste quite delicious!
I know you’re going to love this parmesan crusted tilapia recipe! It’s a quick 30-minute dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Recipe
Quick and Easy Baked Tilapia recipe in a delicious Panko and Parmesan coating!
Video
Ingredients
- 4 Tilapia fillets about 1 pound, thawed if you use frozen
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 3 Tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix butter, Panko and Parmesan cheese together in a bowl. Lay Tilapia fillets on cookie sheet. Top with Parmesan mixture.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Tips
FRIDGE: Leftover cooked tilapia will keep in the refrigerator for up three to four days. Place it into an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
FREEZE: Wrap each fillet tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it into a freezer safe bag. Or, place leftover fish into an airtight container. Freeze cooked tilapia for up to three months.
To reheat, place into the oven until warmed through. Keep in mind that the panko breading may not crisp up as much when reheated. But it will still taste quite delicious!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 472kcal (24%), Carbohydrates: 22g (7%), Protein: 49g (98%), Fat: 21g (32%), Saturated Fat: 12g (75%), Cholesterol: 128mg (43%), Sodium: 855mg (37%), Potassium: 599mg (17%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Vitamin A: 495IU (10%), Calcium: 424mg (42%), Iron: 2.6mg (14%)
What to Serve with Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Bacon wrapped green beans and glazed carrots are two simple sides that I love to serve with fish. Smashed potatoes are also delicious if you want something quick and easy.
Garlic cheddar biscuits and easy oven roasted vegetables would pair well with this crispy fish too.
You could of course go with classics like corn on the cob, mac and cheese, or mashed potatoes as well. And then wrap up your meal with a delicious no bake blueberry cheesecake or a simple strawberry lemon cake.
More Easy Recipes You’ll Love
- These Instant Pot Baked Potatoes are super easy to make, require very little clean up, and can be served as a side dish to quite literally anything!
- Roasted Parmesan Green Beans are one of my most favorite ways to prepare this tasty little veggie.
- Egg Roll in a Bowl is a healthy dinner that take just 25 minutes to make.
- These Sheet Pan Quesadillas can be served as an easy dinner or an appetizer for a party.
Gail Pearsall says
Easy and delicious! I brushed fish with butter and dredged in Parmesan/Panko mixture. Sprayed pan and top of fish. Crispy on both sides.
Lillie says
Simple, quick and yummy! I added a bit of garlic powder to the mix and a squeeze of lemon to serve 🙂 it was a hit!
Julie Evink says
Great additions! So glad you enjoyed it!
Reyne says
Easy, simple & good! Great for a quick dinner, also with the smashed potatoes.
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear Reyne! Thanks for rating and commenting on the recipe!
Mary says
This was delicious! I don’t often review recipes but this one was devoured by my husband and all three of my kids. They all complain every time I say I’m making tilapia, but this dish got rave reviews. I will definitely be making this again!
Julie Evink says
This is awesome to hear Mary! So glad it’s a hit with the entire family!
Patty says
Simple and incredibly delicious! I used a pyrex dish coated with nonstick spray to bake, and leftovers made great sandwiches.
Julie Evink says
Love the leftover tip!! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Patty says
Ready and delicious. I added lemon zest, in addition to the lemon juice.
Cheryl says
Is there a way to place the fish on a baking rack( like a cookie cooling rack) on a sheet pan and bake the fish? Sometimes the bottom gets kind of soggy?
Julie Evink says
Yup I would do just that, my only concern is if you have thinner tilapia fillets they might slip through the cooling rack openings.
Ann says
My favorite way to cook fish! Make sure not to overcook, I learned the hard way. Whoops!
Julie Evink says
Great to hear!! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Lindsey says
Would these freeze and reheat well? Thinking of doing a large prep and freeze for quick dinners or easy lunches
Julie Evink says
I’m sorry I haven’t tried to freeze this, but if I do I would reheat it in the oven to keep the crust crunchy!
Reba says
I haven’t made baked tilapia in ages… Not sure why… But this recipe assures that I will be making it more frequently now! I added cayenne pepper and dried parsley. It was delicious with a little “zing”!!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Reba! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Liz says
Easy and fast
Julie Evink says
Great to hear Liz! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
CORINNE SCHALDENBRAND says
Not a huge fish person but husband is. Tried this and WOW! It was great and so simple to make. Will make this anytime!!
Julie Evink says
YAY! This is amazing to hear!
Xio says
Live this making for the 1st time silly question bake uncovered right? I also used Pablo breadcrumbs and Parmesan Asiago Romano blend. Excited for the turn out
Julie Evink says
Yes it is baked uncovered. I hope you enjoyed it!
Rachel says
I was looking for a good baked fish recipe, because although I usually pan fry it I really hate the smell and the splatter. I stumbled upon this one and let me tell you it was so good! I follow the directions exactly, except I added just a little bit of black pepper because I love the flavor of black pepper and Parmesan together, and it was amazing! My fillets were really small so I only had a bake them for 15 minutes. Thanks for sharing, I’m never pan frying fish again lol.
Julie Evink says
This is so awesome to hear Rachel! Thanks for coming back and commenting on the recipe!
Eve Zavelo says
Could you make this in the air fryer.
Julie Evink says
Yes I think it would work great in the air fryer!