Description
Pan-Fried Tilapia is a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Lightly seasoned and cooked to crispy perfection, this dish pairs wonderfully with rice, vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 1 1/2 lbs or 680g)
- 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for extra flavor)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish:
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Set aside on a plate.
- Make the Coating:
- In a shallow dish, mix the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the Fish:
- Dredge each tilapia fillet in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Shake off excess flour.
- Heat the Oil:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter if desired for extra flavor. Swirl the pan to coat evenly.
- Cook the Tilapia:
- Place the fillets in the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Serve:
- Transfer the cooked tilapia to a serving plate. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a spicy kick.
- Serve with tartar sauce, coleslaw, or your favorite side dishes.