Lemon Pepper Baked Tilapia (with Butter Garlic Sauce)

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This Lemon Pepper Baked Tilapia features tender, flaky fish baked in a buttery lemon garlic sauce with lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, and fresh parsley. Easy, healthy, low-carb, high-protein, and ready in just 20 minutes. 

Easy Baked Tilapia (Ready in 20 Minutes)

If you've been overlooking tilapia because you think it's bland, this recipe will change your mind.

Lemon Pepper Baked Tilapia is one of my favorite ways to transform an affordable, mild fish into a flavorful dinner. I season the fillets with lemon pepper and paprika, then bake them in a buttery lemon garlic sauce until perfectly flaky and tender. It's a fast, foolproof, 20-minute, one-pan recipe that requires very little cleanup - ideal for busy weeknights!

Serve it with roasted vegetables, cilantro-lime rice, risotto, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

For more easy seafood dinners, try my Salmon with Dill Sauce, Sheet Pan Maple Salmon and Asparagus, Greek Shrimp with Lemon Rice, and Garlic Lemon Butter Trout.

Recipe Highlights

• It's ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
• The lemon butter sauce keeps baked tilapia tender, juicy, and never dry.
• Nutrition-wise, it's naturally low-carb, high in protein, gluten-free, and easy to pair with your favorite sides.
• Easy: The recipe works equally well for family dinners, meal prep, or a light seafood dinner year-round.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Tilapia fillets: I like to buy tilapia fillets that are around 4-6 ounces each. If you are using frozen fillets, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning them.
• Lemon pepper seasoning: A blend of dried lemon zest, black pepper, and salt that gives the tilapia a bright, zesty kick with a touch of spice. Since lemon pepper seasoning contains salt, it's like you won't need to add more salt to the fish itself. Use your judgment.
• Paprika: Adds a mild sweetness and color to the fish. Sweet or smoked paprika will work.
• Unsalted butter: I have used unsalted butter, which adds richness and enhances the flavor of the baked tilapia. If you are using salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe.
• Garlic: I used fresh minced garlic here, but garlic powder works too!
• Lemon: I use lemon juice and zest in the sauce and garnish the fish with fresh lemon slices after baking. Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Fresh parsley: I like to use this in the sauce and as garnish after baking.
• Salt & pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors.

A Note On Buying Tilapia

Not all tilapia at the store is equal, and since the fish is the star here, it pays to choose well. Look for fillets that are firm, moist, and pinkish-white with no gray or brown edges. Fresh tilapia should smell clean and mild, never fishy.

If you're buying frozen, individually vacuum-sealed fillets are my preference because they thaw evenly and resist freezer burn.

How to Make Baked Tilapia (Step-by-Step Photos)

Please note that this is the recipe overview. For complete recipe instructions and the ingredient list, scroll down to the full printable recipe card below.

• Prepare the sauce: Heat the butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow butter to melt and whisk to combine, then remove from the heat.

• Season tilapia: Arrange tilapia fillets in a single layer in a greased baking dish. Season both sides with lemon pepper seasoning and paprika.
• Add sauce and bake: Pour the prepared lemon butter sauce over the fish. Bake tilapia at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. Tilapia is done when it flakes easily with a fork, and the internal temperature reaches 145°F when taken with an instant-read or meat thermometer at the thickest part of the fillet.

• Garnish and serve: Before serving, top with a bit more fresh parsley and lemon slices. Enjoy!

Pro Tips for Success

• Pat the fillets completely dry. Moisture on the surface of the fish waters down the sauce and prevents the seasoning from sticking. I press each tilapia fillet between paper towels before seasoning.
• Check your lemon pepper seasoning for salt. Many brands already contain a good amount of salt. Taste yours first, and if it's salty, cut the added salt in the sauce down to a pinch so the finished dish isn't overseasoned.
• Don't trust the timer alone. Fillet thickness varies widely in tilapia. Start checking at 11 minutes. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork at the thickest part and looks opaque all the way through. An instant-read thermometer should read 145°F.
• Use fresh lemon juice only. Bottled lemon juice tastes flat and slightly bitter once baked. One medium lemon gives you enough juice and zest for this whole recipe.
• Zest before you juice. It sounds obvious, but trying to zest a squeezed lemon half is a losing battle. Zest the whole lemon first, then cut and juice it.
• Let the fish rest for 2 to 3 minutes after baking. The fillets finish cooking from residual heat, and the sauce thickens slightly in the dish. Spoon that sauce back over the fish right before serving.

Serving Ideas

This fish is mild and buttery, so it pairs with just about everything. Here's what I usually do:

• For a classic dinner, serve baked tilapia over rice, quinoa, couscous, orzo, or mashed potatoes so nothing of that garlic-lemon butter sauce goes to waste. My Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo is my top pick here, and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a close second.
• Steamed or roasted vegetables work great, too: my Parmesan Garlic Green Beans and Roasted Asparagus with Bacon are both regulars next to this fish in my house. Pecan wild rice is one of my personal favorites.
• For something lighter, pair it with a fresh salad. My Strawberry Spinach Salad and Summer Peach Salad are wonderful with fish in spring and summer. You can also try my Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad or my Watermelon Salad.
• Add salsa! Salsa pairs beautifully with any fish, especially baked tilapia. You can use a fruit salsa, such as my Peach Salsa or Mango Salsa. Or use more traditional salsas like Roasted Tomato Salsa or fresh Pico De Gallo.

More Seafood Recipes

• Salmon and Rice with Cilantro Lime Crema
• Honey Garlic Shrimp
• Pad Thai with Shrimp and Chicken
• Mediterranean Salmon
• Shrimp Asparagus Pasta with Bacon
• 25-Minute Salmon Piccata
• Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Crema
• Grilled Salmon with Pineapple Avocado Salsa
• Creamy Salmon Orzo with Spinach

FAQ

1. Can I use frozen tilapia for this recipe? Yes you can, but thaw it completely before cooking. Pat the fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better seasoning absorption and even cooking.
2. Can I use a different type of fish? Absolutely! This recipe works well with cod, halibut, snapper, just adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the fillets.
3. What should I serve with lemon pepper tilapia? Great side options include quinoa, roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, rice pilaf, or a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
4. Can I make this recipe in an air fryer? Yes you can ! Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish is cooked through and crispy on the edges.
5. What can I use instead of lemon pepper seasoning? If you don't have lemon pepper seasoning, use a mix of black pepper, salt, and fresh lemon zest for a homemade version.