Baked Lemon Pepper Tilapia
Baked lemon pepper tilapia is bright, flavorful, and simple to make. Ready to eat in less than 30 minutes, it’s a failproof protein source for busy weeknights and meal prep!
We try to incorporate seafood into our diet a few times a week with options like baked trout and roasted salmon. However, baked tilapia is our go-to when we need a fairly budget-friendly option that’s quick and easy to make.
With just two ingredients, it’s ready to eat in about 20 minutes. Plus, it stores and reheats well. So, we can cook once and have a lean, high-quality protein source for several days!
🍋 Recipe Ingredients
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete ingredients and instructions!
- Tilapia – A white fish with mild flavor, tilapia takes on the flavor of whatever it is paired with. Look for tilapia fillets that are fairly equal in size to promote even cooking. Fresh or frozen will work, but we recommend fresh to prevent it from drying out. If using frozen, thaw it first and drain the excess liquid.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning – We use store-bought lemon pepper seasoning to keep things easy, but homemade will also work.
🎉 Tip! Love a bit of heat? Add a dash of red pepper flakes, too!
👨🏻🍳 How to Make Baked Lemon Pepper Tilapia
Before you begin, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, line a baking dish or baking sheet with aluminum foil, lightly grease it with cooking spray, and set it aside.
- Oil. Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly coat them with cooking oil spray, olive oil, or melted butter. This ensures the seasonings stick!
- Season. Sprinkle the lemon pepper seasoning evenly over the fish.
- Bake. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven, and cook the tilapia until it’s opaque, white, and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve. Rest for five minutes. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, if desired, and getcha some of that while it’s warm!
🫙 How to Store
- Refrigerator: Once cool, transfer leftover fish to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Transfer leftovers to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat: When you’re ready to eat, warm leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat.
⁇ Common Questions
A mild fish, tilapia pairs well with any side dish. We typically serve it with a green salad, roasted broccoli, sautéed zucchini, baked potatoes, quinoa, or roasted potatoes.
Absolutely. Feel free to use any herbs and spices you have on hand. Taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, rosemary, fresh parsley, etc. they all work!
You’ll know your fish is fully cooked when it is white, opaque, and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
🍽️More Meal Prep Recipes
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Lemon Pepper Tilapia Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 (4-6 ounce) tilapia filets
- 1-2 Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly grease it with cooking oil spray and set aside.
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a clean paper towel. Then, lightly spritz them with cooking oil spray. Season to taste.4 (4-6 ounce) tilapia filets, 1-2 Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning or to taste
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. It should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Cool slightly on the pan, and getcha some of that!
Notes
– Refrigerator: Once cool, transfer leftover fish to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
– Freezer: Transfer leftovers to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
– Reheat: When you’re ready to eat, warm leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat.
This is the perfect easy dinner!