Name: Crispy Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia
Ingredients: Tilapia Fillets: The star of the show! Choose about 1.5 to 2 pounds of fresh or thawed tilapia fillets. Tilapia is a mild white fish that cooks quickly and is readily available, making it perfect for weeknight meals. Ensure they are boneless and skinless for the best results.; Grated Parmesan Cheese: This is the key to the crispy, cheesy crust. Use finely grated Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor. Pre-grated or freshly grated both work well, but avoid using powdered Parmesan cheese as it won’t create the same crispy crust.; Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that are larger and flakier than regular breadcrumbs. They provide an incredible crunch to the crust, making this tilapia truly irresistible. If you can’t find panko, regular breadcrumbs can be used, but the texture will be slightly less crispy.; All-Purpose Flour: A light coating of flour helps the egg wash adhere to the tilapia and creates a base for the parmesan crust to stick to. You only need a small amount.; Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, helping the parmesan and breadcrumbs adhere to the tilapia. They also add a bit of richness to the crust.; Italian Seasoning: This blend of dried herbs adds a fantastic savory flavor to the crust. You can find Italian seasoning at most grocery stores, or you can make your own blend using dried oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.; Garlic Powder: Garlic powder enhances the savory flavor and complements the parmesan cheese beautifully.; Paprika: Paprika adds a touch of warmth and color to the crust. You can use regular paprika or smoked paprika for a slightly smoky flavor.; Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dish. Adjust the amount to your taste preference.; Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: Used to lightly grease the baking sheet and optionally to drizzle over the tilapia for extra crispiness and moisture. Olive oil adds a nice flavor, but cooking spray works just as well to prevent sticking.; Lemon Wedges (for serving): Fresh lemon wedges are the perfect finishing touch. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the dish and complements the richness of the parmesan crust.

Ingredients

This recipe utilizes simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a dish that tastes far more complex than it is. Here’s what you’ll need to create this crispy, flavorful tilapia:

Tilapia Fillets: The star of the show! Choose about 1.5 to 2 pounds of fresh or thawed tilapia fillets. Tilapia is a mild white fish that cooks quickly and is readily available, making it perfect for weeknight meals. Ensure they are boneless and skinless for the best results.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: This is the key to the crispy, cheesy crust. Use finely grated Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor. Pre-grated or freshly grated both work well, but avoid using powdered Parmesan cheese as it won’t create the same crispy crust.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that are larger and flakier than regular breadcrumbs. They provide an incredible crunch to the crust, making this tilapia truly irresistible. If you can’t find panko, regular breadcrumbs can be used, but the texture will be slightly less crispy.
All-Purpose Flour: A light coating of flour helps the egg wash adhere to the tilapia and creates a base for the parmesan crust to stick to. You only need a small amount.
Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, helping the parmesan and breadcrumbs adhere to the tilapia. They also add a bit of richness to the crust.
Italian Seasoning: This blend of dried herbs adds a fantastic savory flavor to the crust. You can find Italian seasoning at most grocery stores, or you can make your own blend using dried oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder enhances the savory flavor and complements the parmesan cheese beautifully.
Paprika: Paprika adds a touch of warmth and color to the crust. You can use regular paprika or smoked paprika for a slightly smoky flavor.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dish. Adjust the amount to your taste preference.
Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: Used to lightly grease the baking sheet and optionally to drizzle over the tilapia for extra crispiness and moisture. Olive oil adds a nice flavor, but cooking spray works just as well to prevent sticking.
Lemon Wedges (for serving): Fresh lemon wedges are the perfect finishing touch. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the dish and complements the richness of the parmesan crust.

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Instructions

This recipe is incredibly simple to follow, making it perfect for even beginner cooks. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to achieving perfectly crispy and flavorful parmesan-crusted tilapia:

Preheat Your Oven and Prep Baking Sheet: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating, prepare a baking sheet by lightly greasing it with olive oil or cooking spray. This will prevent the tilapia from sticking and ensure even cooking. You can also line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup if desired.
Prepare the Breading Station: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes or plates. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk together the eggs with a fork until lightly beaten. In the third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with a fork to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the parmesan is incorporated throughout the breadcrumbs.
Prepare the Tilapia Fillets: If your tilapia fillets are very thick, you may want to gently pound them slightly thinner using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan. This will ensure they cook evenly and quickly. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. This step is crucial as it helps the flour and breading adhere better to the fish.
Bread the Tilapia: Now it’s time to bread the tilapia. Take one tilapia fillet at a time and dredge it in the flour, ensuring it’s lightly coated on all sides. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured fillet into the beaten eggs, making sure it’s fully coated. Let any excess egg drip off. Finally, dredge the egg-coated fillet in the parmesan breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well to all sides of the fish. Repeat this breading process with all the remaining tilapia fillets.
Arrange Tilapia on Baking Sheet: Carefully place the breaded tilapia fillets onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out evenly so they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of baking, which will result in a less crispy crust. If desired, you can lightly drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top of each fillet at this stage for extra crispiness and moisture. This is optional but recommended for a richer flavor and even better browning.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tilapia is cooked through and the parmesan crust is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your tilapia fillets and your oven. The tilapia is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork and is no longer translucent in the center. Be careful not to overbake, as tilapia can become dry if cooked for too long.
Serve and Enjoy!: Once the tilapia is cooked, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the tilapia rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more moist and flavorful fish. Serve immediately while the crust is still crispy and hot. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 400
Protein: 35 grams