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This easy Baked Tilapia recipe with garlic butter is ready in just 25 minutes! Juicy, flavorful, and foolproof, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
This baked tilapia recipe is made by seasoning fillets with paprika, garlic butter, and lemon juice, then baking until tender. It’s so flaky with a rich, buttery flavor. The best part? Dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes! Just garnish with parsley and serve for a quick, flavorful meal. We love this recipe just as much as my oven baked salmon recipe – which is saying a lot because that one has been a huge hit in the family!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Tilapia Recipe
Here are a few reasons why this recipe has become a family favorite.
- Quick and effortless. This baked tilapia recipe goes from prep to table in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Foolproof method. This recipe is nearly impossible to mess up, making it ideal for new cooks or those who just don’t want to put in a lot of effort.
- Budget-friendly. Tilapia is one of the more affordable types of fish, and the remaining ingredients are common pantry staples, making this easy tilapia recipe a cost-effective dinner option.
What You’ll Need
One of the best things about baked tilapia in the oven is that the ingredients list is short and sweet. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Tilapia fillets – Tilapia is a mild-flavored white fish that’s perfect for those who are hesitant about seafood. I prefer wild-caught tilapia, but farm-raised is also okay. You can substitute this fish with other mild white fish like cod, halibut, or sole.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter to control the salt content better. For a dairy-free option, use olive oil or plant-based butter.
- Fresh garlic – Provides flavor to the butter sauce. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but jarred garlic or garlic powder can be used in a pinch (use ¼ teaspoon per clove).
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and helps cut through the richness of the butter.
- Seasonings – Paprika adds color and mild sweetness, while Italian seasoning brings in herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme. These seasonings can be substituted with your preferred seasoning blend.
- Fresh parsley – Adds fresh flavor and color as a garnish.
- Red pepper flakes – This is optional and provides subtle heat and garnish to this dish.
Can I Use Frozen Tilapia?
Yes! In fact, that is what I used for this recipe. If using frozen fillets, I recommend thawing them in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for quicker results.
Recipe Additions
Here are a few ways to customize this baked tilapia recipe by adding an ingredient or two.
- Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, capers, olives, or spinach
- Herbs: Fresh basil, thyme, or dill
- Toppings: Toasted pine nuts, panko breadcrumbs, or Parmesan cheese
- Aromatics: Shallots, onions, or ginger
How To Make Baked Tilapia
This recipe is wildly simple to make. It only takes 20 minutes from start to finish! The printable version of the instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 400F. Brush the baking dish with butter.
- Season the fish. Combine the seasonings in a bowl then sprinkle the mixture evenly on both sides of the fillets. Place the fillets in a baking dish.
- Add the butter sauce. Combine melted butter, garlic, and lemon juice in a bowl. Spoon the mixture over the top of the fish.
- Bake. Bake the tilapia for 10-12 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 145F.
- Enjoy. Top with red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and fresh lemon slices. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to help perfect this baked tilapia recipe.
- Room temperature fish. Bring the tilapia to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking for more even baking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Leave space between fillets for even cooking and use a baking dish that’s just large enough to fit the fillets in a single layer for the best results.
- Marinate the fish. For extra flavor, marinate the tilapia in the seasoning for 30 minutes before baking.
- Make clean-up easy. Line your baking dish with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Don’t overbake. Overcooked fish becomes rubbery. Watch the cooking time carefully and check the temperature early. To confirm that it’s done, check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the fillet. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this baked tilapia with rice pilaf and roasted vegetables or a light salad. Cauliflower rice and zucchini noodles also pair well with it.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Store leftover cooled tilapia in an airtight container for 2 days in the refrigerator.
- Freezer. While it’s possible to freeze them for up to 2 months, the texture may change slightly. I usually wrap individual portions in aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer bag with the air removed. If freezing is necessary, freeze the fillets without the sauce and prepare fresh sauce when reheating
- Reheat. The best way to reheat this baked tilapia is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 275°F. Place the fish in a baking dish with a splash of water or butter, cover with foil, and heat for 10-15 minutes. Leftovers can also be reheated in the microwave in 30-second intervals, covered with a damp paper towel, or in the air fryer at 350F for 3-4 minutes.
More Easy Fish Recipes
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Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets, fresh tilapia or frozen fillets, thawed (5-6 oz each) – I used thawed frozen fillets.
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 5 Tablespoons butter, divided (1 tablespoon for greasing, 4 tablespoons for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic, about 2 medium cloves
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, from 1 lemon
- 1 fresh lemon slices, for garnish
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly brush butter on a baking dish.
- Mix salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning in a mixing bowl, then sprinkle it evenly on both sides of the tilapia fillets. Place the fillets in a single layer in the baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, fresh garlic, and fresh lemon juice to create the buttery mixture.
- Brush or spoon the butter sauce over the top of the fish.
- Bake the fish for 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Check the temperature at the 10-minute mark to prevent overcooking. If needed, continue cooking, checking every minute until it reaches your desired temperature.
- Sprinkle the fish with red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and fresh lemon slices. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This tilapia recipe was so good and easy to make. I didn’t have any lemon juice or lemon, but the recipe still turned out really well.
Thanks Kinsey!