Crispy Baked Tilapia Recipe

By
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
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Updated on 03/17/21
Crispy Baked Tilapia Recipe

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
524 Calories
19g Fat
37g Carbs
54g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 524
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 123mg 41%
Sodium 688mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 54g
Vitamin C 56mg 278%
Calcium 227mg 17%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 974mg 21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Tilapia is a mild-flavored fish that can be cooked using a wide range of methods, from pan-frying to poaching to grilling, and, of course, baking. This baked tilapia recipe has a nice crisp coating that makes the fish taste like it was fried while instead it was cooked in the oven. The breading is a mixture of Panko (Japanese bread crumbs), crushed potato chips, and grated Parmesan cheese, creating a cheesy, crunchy topping with just the right amount of salt. The fish sits on top of a bed of leeks and peppers as it bakes, keeping the fish moist, infusing flavor, and making this recipe an easy one-dish meal.

Tilapia is a good choice when looking for a sustainable fish as it is raised on farms. If you can't find tilapia or prefer another type of thinly cut white fish, catfish, rainbow trout, striped bass, red snapper, and branzino are all good alternatives.

Ingredients

  • 3 medium leeks, washed and chopped (white and light green parts)

  • 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • 1 1/2 pounds tilapia

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

  • 1/2 cup crushed potato chips

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Crispy Baked Tilapia Recipe ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

    greased cooking dish

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Toss the leeks, red peppers, garlic, and olive oil together in a bowl.

    Toss the leeks, red peppers, garlic, and olive oil together in a bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Spread it out in an even layer in the baking dish.

    leek mixture in the baking dish

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Place the fish fillets on top of the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.

    Place the fish fillets on top of the vegetables

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  6. Toss the Panko, potato chips, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter together in a bowl.

    Toss the Panko, potato chips, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter together in a bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  7. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the fish, pressing down lightly to form a loose crust.

    sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the fish in the baking dish

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  8. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping is nicely browned.

    Crispy Baked Tilapia Recipe in a baking dish

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Recipe Variations

  • Have fun with the potato chip flavor and swap in salt and vinegar, barbecue, or the "crab chip," which are flavored with Old Bay seasoning.
  • Change out the vegetables for onions, tomato, and zucchini, or potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and shallots. Just be sure to cut the vegetables into even sizes, and for vegetables that take longer to bake—like potatoes and Brussels—cut them into small pieces.
  • Instead of a white fish, try this recipe with salmon, shrimp, or even chicken. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as shrimp will cook faster and chicken will take longer.
  • Serve this dish with a side of aioli (garlic mayonnaise). The fresh lemon flavor and creaminess of the mayo is the perfect complement to the salty, crispy fish.