Seasoned Baked Tilapia Recipe

This simple Baked Tilapia Recipe can be on the table in 20 minutes and uses just 5 ingredients from your pantry! Customize the seasoning mix and serve the fish with a lemon wedge and your favorite sauce for a fail-proof baked fish dinner.

After years of working as a seafood recipe developer, I've spent hundreds of hours with tilapia. This light and flaky white fish brings uncomplicated flavors that pair well with almost any seasoning or sauce. And it's super economical, making it an easy choice if you want to add more seafood to your diet!

Most tilapia is sold in fillets, and two of my favorite weeknight tilapia fillet dishes are Asian Tilapia with Ginger and Soy and Fajita Spiced Tilapia with Avocado Sauce. For an impressive pan-grilled whole tilapia recipe, try my Whole Grilled Fish with Olive Herb Sauce.

Ingredients for Easy Baked Tilapia:

Before we get to the step by step directions, a few notes about the ingredients:

Fish: the recipe calls for tilapia, but your favorite white fish fillets like cod, haddock or catfish will also work for this fish dinner recipe. Fresh or frozen fish works in this recipe. If using frozen, be sure to thaw fully and dry well with paper towels before seasoning.

Olive oil: I prefer to bake this fish in a little extra virgin olive oil, but feel free to substitute butter, if you'd like.

Seasonings: our baked tilapia uses a simple mix of salt, pepper and paprika. Substitute your favorite seafood seasoning or all-purpose seasoning mix.

Parsley: the recipe calls for diced flat leaf parsley as a garnish. Substitute fresh diced chives, basil, or skip the greens altogether.

Lemon: adding sliced lemons to the dish of baking fish creates a light citrus note. Pairs well with the tilapia!

Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Prep fish

Dry fish fillets well. Add them to a lightly oiled baking dish or sheet pan.

2. Mix seasoning for fillets

Combine salt, pepper and paprika in a small dish. Dust the seasoning mixture over the fish, ensuring a good amount of seasoning on the thickest part of the fillet. Add thinly-sliced lemon to the dish.

3: Bake and serve

Roast fish in preheated oven for 10-14 minutes, or until fish flakes easily and is cooked through (remove fish when internal temp reaches 140-145).

Garnish with fresh diced parsley and serve.

What sides to serve with seasoned tilapia?

Grilled Asparagus and Lemon Dill Rice would be a perfect pairing for these baked fish fillets. Or check out my Best Side Dishes Tilapia post!

What sauce to serve with baked fish?

Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce is an all-time favorite to serve with baked tilapia. For a fresh herb option, try Pistachio Chimichurri.

How to store leftover tilapia?

Transfer leftover sit to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

How to reheat leftover baked tilapia fish?

To reheat, warm gently in the oven for 5-6 minutes, until just heated through. Or heat in a small skillet with a bit of oil, butter or broth over medium-low heat.

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