Baked Tilapia

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my oven baked tilapia recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Tilapia – Tilapia is a mild farmed white fish. While I usually prefer wild-caught fish, this one is a great cost-saving choice I make every once in a while. I used whole tilapia fillets for my baked tilapia recipe, but you can also use just the loins (the thicker part without the flat part). Fresh or frozen both work fine. I recommend getting them without the skin, which can be bitter.
• Butter – I always use unsalted, so you’ll need to reduce the amount of salt if yours is salted. If you need a dairy-free option, you can use olive oil (it will have a different flavor) or butter-flavored coconut oil (my fave for a similar flavor).
• Lemon – I use half the lemon to get lemon juice and lemon zest, and the other half to make slices to place on top of the fish. Feel free to use two separate lemons if it’s easier for you. You’ll need a total of 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest. If you don’t have fresh lemons on hand but have bottled lemon juice, you can increase the lemon juice to 2 tablespoons and omit the zest and slices, but the flavor is less lemony this way. Lime juice can also work in a pinch, but the flavor will be different.
• Fresh Parsley – Feel free to substitute other fresh herbs, such as dill or chives. I always reserve extra for garnish!
• Garlic – You’ll need fresh garlic, not jarred, as we’re going to crush the cloves. Minced is okay, but the flavor is more evenly distributed if you crush it. You can also substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

1. Prep the fish. Use paper towels to pat the fish fillets dry. Arrange them in a single layer in a baking dish.  It’s fine if they touch, but don’t overlap them much, if at all.
2. Prep the lemon. Slice the lemon in half. Juice and zest one half. Slice the other half into thin slices.

3. Make the lemon butter sauce. In a small bowl in the microwave or saucepan on the stove, melt the butter. Remove from heat. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and crushed garlic.
4. Season the fish. Brush the garlic lemon butter over the tilapia fillets. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Flip and repeat. Arrange thin lemon slices over the fish.

5. Bake. Place the pan in the oven and bake tilapia until it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork (but see my tips below). I like to garnish with more parsley at the end, and drizzle the sauce from the baking dish over the fish. Hello, my flaky, buttery baked tilapia!

How Long To Bake Tilapia?

Baked tilapia usually takes 12-15 minutes, but check on it at 10 minutes. It’s done when it flakes easily with a fork. However, I highly recommend checking the internal temp for perfectly moist, flaky fish. See my tips above!

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Warm up the fish in a 350 degree F oven. I cover it with aluminum foil so that it doesn’t dry out. Reheating in the microwave isn’t ideal, but can work (on half power) if you’re in a hurry.
• Freeze: Allow your baked tilapia to cool completely, then transfer to a zip lock bag with layers of parchment paper between the pieces, to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or in a bowl of cold water on the counter, before you reheat.

Serving Ideas

Baked tilapia recipes can go with almost anything! Here are some of my simple ideas for your weeknight meals:

• Sauteed Vegetables – My favorite for fish is sauteed asparagus, but other veggies like sauteed broccoli and sauteed zucchini work just as well. And when you need something for date night, try my green beans almondine. All of these are quick enough that I can cook them while I’ve got tilapia in the oven.
• Roasted Vegetables – If you switch the positions of the racks halfway through, you can cook your main dish and side dish at the same time! I’ve done this with roasted broccoli and roasted cauliflower most often, because they need the same oven temperature as the baked tilapia, though they take longer. You can also make my roasted cherry tomatoes or roasted asparagus right in the same baking dish with the fish.
• Rice Or Potatoes – I like to bake tilapia in parallel while I make my kids’ favorite air fryer potatoes. You can also opt for white or brown rice. My Greek potatoes actually pair nicely too, because they also have lemon flavor. To lighten things up, go for my cauliflower mashed potatoes or cauliflower rice instead.
• Salads – A light salad pairs perfectly with fish. I recommend fresh and bright ones, like my Israeli salad, spring mix salad, or cucumber tomato salad. But my daughter always wants me to make my sweet kale salad!
• Fish Tacos – Replace the lemon in my baked tilapia recipe with lime and replace the seasonings with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Bake as usual, and serve flaked in your favorite tortillas, burrito bowls, or over my taco salad.

More Easy Tilapia Recipes

If you like my easy baked tilapia, you’ll probably also like these other simple ways to prepare this fish:

Air Fryer Tilapia

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Pan Fried Tilapia

My Tools For This Recipe

• Baking Dish – This one is my favorite because it distributes heat evenly and looks beautiful going from the oven straight to the table.
• Instant Read Thermometer – The best way to know your fish is ready, but not overcooked.