Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
133 Comments
Posted: 05/14/25
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.
Jonathan says
Excellent. Very high in sat fat though. Need to try olive oil instead of butter next time. Tilapia clocks quickly so it needs less time. I checked when the crust was just browned all over at about 12 min and the tilapia was perfect.
Courtney says
Thank you!
Leni says
Fantastic!! I added a good squeeze of lemon juice and some salt and pepper at serving time. Loved it so much. The crunch!! Thank you. I will be making it again.
Courtney says
Thank you!
TwoCatMomma says
I love this recipe and more importantly my husband LOVES this recipe!! The first time I made it I put a bit of salt on the fish…not needed with the Parmesan cheese.
Courtney says
Thank you. So glad you & your husband enjoyed this recipe!
Mo says
The topping is very dry, and there’s not a lot of flavor.
Courtney says
Sorry to hear that! A lot of people love this recipe.
TwoCatMomma says
So sorry to hear this. My husband and I love it. Perhaps adding two tablespoons of water or chicken broth to the pan and a little to the topping… 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Gail says
This recipe is Soooo good and so easy! Thank you
Courtney says
Thank you!
Sal says
Easy to make
Few ingredients and greatly received by all
Jeff says
So easy to prepare.
I added a few seasonings also.
This will go in my dinner file for future makings.
Courtney says
Perfect!
Linda says
Super simple and delicious! My my husband made this for me – added a little salt n pepper prior to crusting it —absolutely delicious -thank you !
Courtney says
Yum! Salt & pepper are always a good idea.
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
TinaH says
Extremely easy! I am not a great cook when it comes to meat/fish. This turned out so nice — golden brown and crispy. I was impressed! The only thing lacking in the recipe is some seasoning. Next time I make it, I’ll salt & pepper it a bit.
Courtney says
Yes, please adjust seasonings if needed! I try to keep the recipes easy so everyone is successful! 🙂 Thank you.
Becky says
I made this for dinner and loved it! It was simple and quick and tasted great!!
Julie p says
Delicious
LR says
Delicious – whole family loved it and so simple.
Paul says
I 3x this recipe for a (3lb? ~12 fillets) bag of Costco frozen Talipia and used what I had in my pantry at the time:
1 long sleve of crushed Ritz crackers with
1 long sleeve of crushed Saltines but only used 1.5C and
combined that with
1 C shredded Parm Reg and 1/2 C Kraft Grated Parm with
8 TB of melted butter.
sprinkled more grated Parm before putting in the oven.
It came out great!!!! everyone loved it and maybe only 10m in the 425 oven as the ends of the fillets were not as moist but it was crisp, beautiful golden brown.
Family of 5 could all eat at the same time (no batches as needed for frying). Served with Green Beans with light Olive Oil, S&P in the same 425 oven and Rice delicious healthy meal!
Leftovers? Are you serious? hahahaha and my wife and I only had 1 fillet each.
Thanks for the recipe!
TwoCatMomma says
Well, that sounds good too!!
Perhaps next time….
HS says
Easy, never fail fish! Always bakes up perfectly and so quick!
Karen says
This is by far The best baked tilapia recipe that I’ve tried. It’s very moist and delicious delicious yep twice. All I did different was add in some spices to fish.
Courtney says
That is awesome! So great to hear you loved it.