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This oven baked tilapia recipe is an easy way to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. Made with just five simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper), this easy fish dish has a bright lemon flavor and a rich, buttery texture. And unlike my standalone lemon butter sauce for fish, this sauce does not require cooking separately.
Tilapia in the oven is just as easy as baking other fish recipes, like baked cod, flaky baked salmon, quick rainbow trout, or even baked halibut. But with a mild flavor, delicate texture, and reasonable price, baked tilapia recipes are a particularly good uption if you want a more cost-effective, lighter fish option.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Tilapia Recipe
- Buttery, bright lemon flavor
- Flaky, tender fish
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Easy, inexpensive, and healthy dinner
- Naturally low carb and gluten-free

Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for oven baked tilapia, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Tilapia – Tilapia is a fresh water fish that were native to Africa, but are now farmed all over the world. While I usually prefer wild caught fish, tilapia is a great cost-saving choice. Most tilapia fillets will be around the same size, but tilapia loins will be the thicker part of the fillet, without the flat part. I used whole fillets for this baked tilapia recipe, but loins are fine to use as well. Fresh or frozen both work fine. Skinless tilapia is best to avoid any bitter taste.
- Butter – I prefer to use grass fed butter for the best flavor and nutrition, but any unsalted butter will work. If you need a dairy-free option, you can use olive oil (it will have a different flavor) or butter-flavored coconut oil (for a similar flavor).
- Lemon – We’re going to use half to get lemon juice and lemon zest, and use the other half to make slices to place on top of the fish. Feel free to use two separate lemons if it’s easier for you. You’ll need a total of 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest. If you don’t have fresh lemons on hand but have bottled lemon juice, you can increase the lemon juice to 2 tablespoons and omit the zest and slices, but the flavor is less lemony this way. Lime juice can also work in a pinch, but the flavor will be different.
- Fresh Parsley – Feel free to substitute other fresh herbs, such as dill or chives. You can also reserve extra for garnish.
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic, not jarred, as we’re going to crush the cloves. Minced is okay to use in a pinch, but the flavor is more evenly distributed if you crush it. You can also substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- Seasoning – The seasoning for this easy baked tilapia is super simple: Just salt and pepper! The lemon butter provides plenty of flavor as is. For a little more heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. If you want to season the fish in other ways, check out the variations I have listed below!

How To Bake Tilapia In The Oven
This section shows how to make baked tilapia, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Prep the fish. Use paper towels to pat the fish fillets dry. Arrange them in a single layer in a baking dish. It’s fine if they touch, but don’t overlap them much, if at all.
- Prep the lemon. Slice the lemon in half. Juice and zest one half. Slice the other half into thin slices.


- Make the lemon butter sauce. In a small bowl in the microwave or saucepan on the stove, melt the butter. Remove from heat. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and crushed garlic.
- Season the fish. Brush the garlic lemon butter over the tilapia fillets. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Flip and repeat. Arrange the lemon slices over the fish.


- Bake. Place the pan in the oven and bake tilapia until it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with more parsley if you like.

How Long To Bake Tilapia?
Bake tilapia for 12-15 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork. The best way to tell it’s done is to use an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part — it should read between 140 and 145 degrees F.
Can You Make Baked Tilapia From Frozen?
Yes, you can make baked tilapia from frozen, but the cooking time needs to be adjusted. If baking from frozen, it typically takes around 18-22 minutes. However, the fish cooks more evenly if you thaw it first.
Seasoning Variations
If you want a different flavor profile, try these popular options:
- Spices – For more flavor, add a sprinkle of paprika, cumin, and/or onion powder in addition to the salt and pepper.
- Southern – Omit the lemon and use 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning or blackened seasoning in place of the sea salt and black pepper.
- Parmesan – Follow my parmesan crusted tilapia recipe. It uses just 4 simple ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes!
- Old Bay – Simply swap out the sea salt for Old Bay seasoning.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Leftovers from baked tilapia recipes will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Warm up the fish in a 350 degree F oven, covered with aluminum foil. Reheating in the microwave will dry out the fish more, but can work (on half power) if it’s your only option.
- Freeze: Allow baked tilapia to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer bag with layers of parchment paper between the pieces, to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or in a bowl of cold water on the counter, before reheating.

What To Serve With Baked Tilapia
Baked tilapia recipes go with almost anything! Try these simple ideas for your weeknight meals:
- Rice – Serve this easy white fish with rice, or cauliflower rice for a healthier option.
- Potatoes – Choose your favorite: Roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even Greek lemon potatoes pair nicely. You can even lighten up this idea with cauliflower mashed potatoes.
- Sauteed Vegetables – Veggies like sauteed broccoli, green beans almondine, and sauteed zucchini all go great with baked tilapia.
- Roasted Vegetables – If you switch the positions of the racks halfway through, you can cook your main dish and side dish at the same time. Roasted broccoli or roasted cauliflower would work well because they need the same oven temperature as the baked tilapia fillets. You could also make roasted cherry tomatoes or roasted asparagus right in the same baking dish with the fish.
- Salads – A light, fresh salad pairs perfectly with fish. Try a fresh Israeli salad, a simple cucumber tomato salad, or a spring mix salad in the spring or summer, or a sweet kale salad in the fall or winter.
- Fish Tacos – Replace the lemon in this baked tilapia recipe with lime and replace the seasonings with taco seasoning. Bake as directed, and serve flaked in tortillas, burrito bowls, or in a taco salad.
More Easy Tilapia Recipes
If you like this oven baked tilapia, you’ll probably also like these other easy ways to prepare this fish:
Recommended Tools
- Baking Dish – This one is my favorite because it distributes heat evenly and looks beautiful going from the oven straight to the table.
- Instant Read Thermometer – The best way to know your fish is ready but not overcooked.
Baked Tilapia Recipe
Baked Tilapia Recipe (With Lemon Butter)
Make this flaky oven baked tilapia recipe in only 20 minutes, with 5 simple ingredients: tilapia, butter, lemon, parsley and garlic. So easy!
Recipe Video
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
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Use paper towels to pat the fish fillets dry. Arrange them in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish.
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Cut the lemon in half. Juice and zest one half (you should get about 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest). Slice the other half into thin slices.
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In a small bowl in the microwave or saucepan on the stove, melt the butter. Remove from heat. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and crushed garlic.
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Brush the garlic lemon butter over the tilapia fillets. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Flip and repeat both lemon butter and seasoning on the other side. Arrange the lemon slices over the fish.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes, (will vary by thickness), until the baked tilapia is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 baked tilapia fillet
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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35 Comments
Abby
0Turned out so flaky and moist! My whole family loved it. Will make again.
Jess
0I was always terrified that I couldnt cook fish correctly, so this was the best post and I cannot thank you so much for sharing this recipe
Matt
0This baked tilapia recipe is so good! It is nice and buttery, garlicky, and just the right amount of acid from the lemon. So delicious!
Gaby
0Made it tonight hoping my picky eater would approve, she DID!! Easy and tasty.
Rosie L
0Very delicious with wonderfully fresh ingredients and quick and easy to fix. Definitely a keeper.
Sarah
0Very easy and good recipe
Pam Pringle
0Delicious! Haven’t cook fish in years. Turned out very tender and juicy.
Christine
0YUMMMMMM!!!! This was so delicious!! I used a healthier ‘butter’ due to diet but made everything else exactly the same. The house smells like a restaurant. Can’t wait to make AND eat it again! Thanks for an easy, delicious recipe!
Carrie
0Trying to eat more fish and this recipe will help. Very delicious!
David Cogswell
0This was an amazing dinner. My family loved. Thank you….
Wendy Vargas
0Excellent, definitely will go in my meal planning rotation. Simple, easy and delicious. Thank you 🙂
Alex
0I love how easy this is to put together! I’m definitely going to try it soon!
Erin
0I can’t wait to try this! It sounds super easy and delicious!
Chandice
0Fantastic fish recipe! So flavorful and delicious that the sides won’t even matter! Easy to follow and definitely a keeper. Thank you!
Matt
0Tilapia isn’t one of my favorite fish as it needs extra flavors. This recipe is amazing and definitely makes up for the mild fish.
Nart
0Five ingredients and 20 minutes – you’ve got to give this recipe a try!. So good and flavorful perfect weeknight dinner!
Tristin
0I made this lemon butter tilapia for dinner the other night and my kids ate every bite! Will be making this recipe again!!
Cathleen
0My mom used to make tilapia all of the time, but for some reason I haven’t followed in her footsteps. This needs to change!! Making this ASAP, thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
Kathryn
0This tilapia was so flavorful and delicious! We all loved it and loved how simple and quick it was to prepare. Thanks so much!
Leslie
0You have some of the best recipes on your site! This one is no exception! Such a great tilapia recipe!
Jacqueline Debono
0This baked tilapia is a little similar to the sole meunière that my hubby makes. We don’t find tilapia here in Italy but I’d like to try this with branzino or red snapper fillets.
Laura
0Such an easy recipe to get dinner on the table fast!
Amy
0This just melts in your mouth! So easy to make too!
Laura
0I’ve never made fish before but this recipe baked up beautifully! We all loved it.
Kristyn
0Love all the variations & side options you shared. I want to try them all! But, it will be hard to get away from this recipe. It is so good!!
Natalie
0Tilapia is one of my favorites! It has the perfect golden color & is so buttery, it just melts in your mouth.
Toni
0This is really amazing! So tasty and delish plus quick and easy to make!
Shelby
0This recipe was so easy to make and had so much flavor. I did substitute cod for the tilapia as that is my family’s favorite fish. This is going to be a regular on our dinner table!
Scarlet
0Such simple ingredients but so delicious. I love tilapia in this butter lemon garlic sauce.
Jennifer
0This is such a light and flaky fish! Perfect for a busy weeknight and so versatile!
Renee
0My favorite way to make tilapia! SO easy!
Marjorie
0I can’t find the nutritional information. Where should I look?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Marjorie, You can find the nutritional facts under the recipe instructions in the notes section.
nina texas
0is this dish covered to go in the oven?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Nina, No, this dish does not need to be covered.