10+ Tilapia Recipes You’ll Love to Try

Tilapia is a popular fish known for its mild flavor and versatility in the kitchen. If you’re looking for delicious and easy ways to prepare tilapia, you’re in the right place. This fish can be baked, fried, or grilled, making it perfect for any meal.

There are many creative and tasty tilapia recipes to explore. Whether you prefer something simple like pan-seared tilapia or want to try a flavorful baked version, you can make a delightful dish quickly and easily. Get ready to enjoy some fantastic meals featuring this nutritious fish!

1) Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia

Garlic butter oven baked tilapia is an easy and delicious dish you can make for dinner. It combines the flavors of garlic, butter, and lemon for a delightful meal. This recipe is quick, taking only about 20 minutes from start to finish.

To make this dish, you’ll need fresh tilapia fillets. The coating of garlic and butter keeps the fish moist and flavorful while baking. You can also add some paprika for a slight kick.

Just preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and get started on this great recipe!

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and paprika.
3. Place tilapia fillets in a baking dish.
4. Spoon the garlic butter mixture over the fillets.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.

2) Dad’s Pan-Fried Tilapia

Dad’s Pan-Fried Tilapia is a quick and easy dish you can make in just 15 minutes. All you need is some frozen tilapia and a few simple ingredients. This recipe uses a delicious method to achieve a golden and crispy exterior.

To start, heat up your pan and add some oil. Then, cook the tilapia for just a few minutes on each side until it is flaky and cooked through. A squeeze of lemon juice on top adds a nice touch of flavor.

Ingredients

• Frozen tilapia fillets
• Oil for frying
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
2. Season the tilapia with salt and pepper.
3. Place the fillets in the hot pan.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
5. Remove from heat and drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

3) 15-Minute Pan-Seared Tilapia

Cooking tilapia can be quick and easy. A pan-seared tilapia recipe only takes about 15 minutes. This method gives you crispy fish on the outside and tender flesh inside.

Start by heating oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season your tilapia fillets with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the fillets to the pan.

Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 tilapia fillets
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Lemon wedges for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season tilapia fillets with salt and pepper.
3. Add tilapia to the hot skillet.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.
5. Serve with lemon wedges.

4) Beer Battered Fried Tilapia

Beer battered fried tilapia is a tasty dish that’s fun to make. The crispy coating adds great flavor to the fish. You’ll love how quick and easy it is to prepare.

For this recipe, start by choosing fresh tilapia fillets. A good beer can really enhance the batter’s taste. You’ll want to fry the fish until golden brown for the best texture.

When you serve it, pair the tilapia with some lemon wedges. A side of fries or a fresh salad works well too. Enjoy your meal!

Ingredients

• 1 lb tilapia fillet
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup beer
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Slowly whisk in the beer until smooth.
3. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
4. Dip the tilapia fillets in the batter, coating evenly.
5. Fry the fish for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
6. Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

5) Baked Lemon Garlic Tilapia

Baked Lemon Garlic Tilapia is a simple and tasty dish you can prepare in no time. The mild flavor of tilapia pairs perfectly with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic.

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the tilapia fillets in a baking dish. Pour a mixture of melted butter, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice over the fish.

Season it with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the tilapia flakes easily with a fork.

This dish is not only quick but also makes for an impressive meal. Serve with a side of vegetables or rice for a complete dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Herbs (like parsley or thyme)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place tilapia in a baking dish.
3. Mix melted butter, garlic, and lemon juice.
4. Pour the mixture over the tilapia.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until flaky.

6) Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is a simple and delicious dish. This recipe combines the mild flavor of tilapia with a crunchy Parmesan topping. It takes just about 20 minutes to prepare and cook.

To make this dish, start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay your tilapia fillets on a baking sheet and season them lightly. Mix grated Parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs for your crust.

Once mixed, press the crust onto the fillets. Bake in the oven until the fish is flaky and the crust is golden brown. It’s tasty and perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place tilapia fillets on a baking sheet.
3. Season the fillets with salt and pepper.
4. In a bowl, mix the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
5. Press the mixture onto the fillets.
6. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the fish flakes easily.

7) Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter and Capers

Grilled tilapia with lemon butter and capers is a delicious and easy dish to make. The tilapia fillets cook quickly on the grill, offering a light and flavorful meal. The lemon butter sauce adds a bright taste that pairs wonderfully with the fish.

To start, you will need fresh tilapia fillets. The addition of capers gives it a nice briny flavor that enhances the dish. You can serve this meal alongside cooked orzo or some steamed vegetables.

Ingredients

• 4 (8-ounce) tilapia fillets
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 pound orzo, cooked al dente
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup drained capers
• 1/4 cup butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F/190°C).
2. Brush tilapia fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill fillets for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until they are cooked through.
4. In a pan, melt the butter and add lemon juice and capers. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Serve the grilled tilapia topped with the lemon butter sauce and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!

8) Chipotle-Honey Glazed Tilapia

Chipotle-honey glazed tilapia brings a spicy and sweet flavor to your plate. This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The glaze adds a rich taste that pairs well with the tender fish.

To make it, you’ll start by preparing the glaze with chipotle chiles and honey. Searing the tilapia in olive oil ensures it cooks evenly and absorbs the flavors. You can serve this dish with rice or a fresh salad.

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 1/2 cup chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the tilapia fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.
3. In a bowl, mix chipotle chiles and honey.
4. Pour the glaze over the tilapia and cook for another minute.
5. Garnish with chopped scallions and serve hot.

9) Spicy Fish and Olive Spaghetti with Tilapia

This dish is a tasty way to enjoy tilapia. It combines the light flavor of the fish with spicy and savory elements. You’ll love how quickly it comes together!

Start by boiling your spaghetti in a large pot. In a skillet, heat oil and sauté garlic with crushed red pepper for a kick.

Add your tilapia pieces and let them cook until flaky. Mix in crushed tomatoes and kalamata olives for extra flavor. Toss everything with the cooked spaghetti and sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 large (8-ounce) tilapia fillet, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 10 kalamata olives, quartered
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water and cook spaghetti according to the package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Sauté minced garlic and crushed red pepper for 1 minute.
4. Add tilapia pieces and cook until flaky.
5. Stir in crushed tomatoes and olives, cooking for 5 minutes.
6. Combine the sauce with the cooked spaghetti.
7. Serve hot, topped with chopped parsley.

10) Fried Fish Sandwich with Tilapia

A fried fish sandwich with tilapia is a tasty option for lunch or dinner. It’s easy to make and delicious to enjoy. The fish becomes crispy and flavorful when cooked just right.

To start, you need fresh tilapia fillets. Season them well with your favorite spices. You can use Old Bay seasoning for a classic touch. Next, fry them in a skillet until they are golden brown.

For your sandwich, choose a nice roll or bun. Add your preferred toppings like lettuce, tomato, and a spread like tartar sauce or spicy mayo.

Ingredients

• 2 tilapia fillets
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 sandwich rolls
• Lettuce and tomato for toppings

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
2. Season tilapia fillets with Old Bay seasoning.
3. Dip fillets in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumbs.
4. Fry fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden.
5. Assemble the sandwich with toppings and enjoy!