Description
Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia is a quick, flavorful seafood dish perfect for weeknights. With a buttery garlic sauce and a hint of lemon, this oven-baked tilapia is tender, flaky, and incredibly easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tilapia fillets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or parsley)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce – In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and onion powder.
- Coat the Tilapia – Pat tilapia fillets dry and arrange them in the baking dish. Brush or pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over them.
- Bake the Tilapia – Bake for 12-15 minutes until opaque and flaky. Optionally, broil for 2 minutes for a golden finish.
- Garnish and Serve – Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Spicy Cajun Tilapia: Add 1 tsp Cajun seasoning.
- Parmesan Crusted Tilapia: Sprinkle ¼ cup grated Parmesan before baking.
- Garlic Parmesan Tilapia: Mix ¼ cup Parmesan into the butter sauce.
- Serving Ideas: Serve with roasted vegetables, garlic butter rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: oven baked tilapia, garlic butter tilapia, easy seafood recipe, baked white fish, healthy tilapia recipe