By Becky Hardin
Updated Apr 30, 2025
My Parmesan Crusted Tilapia recipe is coated in a cheesy lemon pepper mixture then oven-baked until crispy. This is a simple, healthy fish recipe my family is always excited to eat. It is so flavorful, made with just a few ingredients in under 20 minutes.
5-Star Review
“This is one of the best and easiest recipes I have made. The family loved it, including the 6 & 7 year old grandchildren. I’ve made it several times and it is always a hit. ” -Jill
Lemon Pepper Tilapia
Sweet and mild tilapia filets are seasoned with tangy lemon pepper and Parmesan cheese then baked to crispy perfection in the oven. This is a quick and simple dinner recipe that I always keep in my back pocket. I know my family will love it, and it’s super quick to throw together.
You can easily customize the flavor of this lemon pepper tilapia by mixing in Italian seasoning , Blackened seasoning , adding garlic powder or garlic salt, using cilantro, tarragon, or another herb in place of the parsley, or using Creole seasoning . For a touch of heat, stir in red pepper flakes.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 (4-ounce) tilapia filets fresh or frozen (thawed), patted dry
- ▢ ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt (see note)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ▢ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil don’t use EVOO
- ▢ ¼ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
For Garnish
- ▢ ¼ cup diced green onions optional
- ▢ 1 lemon cut into wedges
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Drizzle the tilapia with olive oil.
- Mix the grated Parmesan, lemon pepper, parsley, and salt together. 4 (4-ounce) tilapia filets, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Coat with the cheese mixture, pressing it in lightly with your fingers to make sure it sticks. 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- Sprinkle lightly with the shredded Parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, about 10 minutes.
- To brown further, broil for about 5 more minutes until cheese crust is slightly crispy (watch carefully to make sure fish doesn’t burn).
- Top with green onions and serve and serve with lemon wedges, optional. ¼ cup diced green onions, 1 lemon
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- If you don’t like salty recipes, you can skip the salt altogether on this recipe. The Parmesan cheese is pretty salty already, so you should be fine!
- If you’re worried about a fishy taste, soak the raw tilapia filets in milk for about 15 minutes, then pat dry and press the mixture into the fish.
- Cooked tilapia will be opaque with a white color. It should also flake easily when you test it with a fork. Check it at the thickest part of the filet, and it should read 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Step by Step
Get the oven going and prepare a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
Coat the tilapia : Drizzle the 4 ounces of tilapia with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Combine Parmesan with seasonings: Mix 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan, 1 tablespoon lemon pepper, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt .
Bread the tilapia : Coat the tilapia with the cheese mixture, pressing it in lightly with your fingers to make sure it sticks.
Add the Parmesan: Sprinkle the fish lightly with the 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan.
Bake the fish: Bake in the preheated oven until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, about 10 minutes.
Brown the fish: To brown further, broil for about 5 more minutes until cheese crust is slightly crispy (watch carefully to make sure fish doesn’t burn)
Garnish and serve : Top with 1/4 cup diced green onions and serve with lemon wedges, optional. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Parmesan crusted tilapia in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 275°F oven until warmed through.
To freeze, wrap individual tilapia filets in aluminum foil, place them in a Ziplock bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
These Parmesan crusted tilapia filets are so simple but still flavorful, and they make a great main dish if you want a healthy dinner. I like to garnish tilapia with diced green onion and lemon slices to finish off the flavor nicely.
Serve it over a bed of salad greens or with a side of simple white rice , cheesy Parmesan polenta , or a batch of Parmesan roasted potatoes . This colorful lemon Parmesan roasted broccoli also complements the flavor perfectly.
more crusted fish recipes we love
Parmesan Crusted Salmon
Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia
Herb Crusted Salmon with Goat Cheese Polenta
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 (4-ounce) tilapia filets fresh or frozen (thawed), patted dry
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt (see note)
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil don’t use EVOO
- ¼ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
For Garnish
- ¼ cup diced green onions optional
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Drizzle the tilapia with olive oil.
- Mix the grated Parmesan, lemon pepper, parsley, and salt together. 4 (4-ounce) tilapia filets, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Coat with the cheese mixture, pressing it in lightly with your fingers to make sure it sticks. 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- Sprinkle lightly with the shredded Parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, about 10 minutes.
- To brown further, broil for about 5 more minutes until cheese crust is slightly crispy (watch carefully to make sure fish doesn’t burn).
- Top with green onions and serve and serve with lemon wedges, optional. ¼ cup diced green onions, 1 lemon
Video
Notes
- If you don’t like salty recipes, you can skip the salt altogether on this recipe. The Parmesan cheese is pretty salty already, so you should be fine!
- If you’re worried about a fishy taste, soak the raw tilapia filets in milk for about 15 minutes, then pat dry and press the mixture into the fish.
- Cooked tilapia will be opaque with a white color. It should also flake easily when you test it with a fork. Check it at the thickest part of the filet, and it should read 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
