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Quick & Crispy Parmesan Crusted Tilapia (Baked or Air Fryer)

Close-up of a cooked parmesan crusted tilapia fillet broken open to show the moist, white interior.
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Make this simple Parmesan crusted tilapia for a fast, family-friendly dinner. The crust is crispy and golden, and the fish stays flaky. This recipe works well baked or in the air fryer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 ounces each), patted dry
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or set your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
  2. In a shallow dish, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. Brush the tops of the tilapia fillets lightly with melted butter or olive oil. If using, drizzle a few drops of lemon juice over each fillet.
  4. Press the top side of each fillet firmly into the Parmesan mixture, coating evenly.
  5. Place the crusted fillets on the prepared baking sheet or in the air fryer basket, crust-side up.
  6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork and the crust is golden brown.
  7. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an air fryer, cooking time may vary based on your model. Check for doneness around the 8-minute mark.
  • To achieve a crispier crust, you can briefly broil the fish for the last 1-2 minutes under the oven broiler, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • This recipe is low carb friendly if you skip the panko breadcrumbs and use only Parmesan cheese and seasonings for the crust.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/parmesan-crusted-tilapia-recipe/