Crispy Panfried Tilapia a Weeknight Winner
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a super easy fish dish? Have you ever craved that golden, crispy fish experience? This fried tilapia recipe is your answer.
It's a simple way to achieve tender, flaky fish with a satisfying crunch.
Brief Overview
This recipe is inspired by Southern cooking. It's super simple and takes about 20 minutes. The pan-fried tilapia recipe easy serves two people. It makes for a quick and satisfying meal.
Main Benefits
Tilapia is a lean protein. This crispy fried tilapia recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner. What makes this recipe special is how quick it is.
It delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ready to cook some fish in air fryer?, but sometimes old school Pan-frying can't be replaced when it comes to having fish with a Crispy golden crust
Let's talk ingredients, shall we?
Ingredients for This Amazing Tilapia
- 2 Tilapia fillets (about 6 oz each)
- Half a cup of all-purpose flour
- One teaspoon of paprika
- Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
- A quarter teaspoon of onion powder
- Quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Two tablespoons of vegetable oil
- One lemon, for serving.
Simple, right? You probably have most of this stuff already!
Making Fried Tilapia Like a Boss
First, get your flour mixture ready. Then, season those tilapia fillets. Next, coat each fillet evenly. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Now carefully place the fish in the hot oil. Don't overcrowd the pan. Cook fish in air fryer is another option, but this best tilapia frying method is quicker.
Cook the tilapia for about 4- 5 minutes per side. The fish is done when it's golden brown. It will flake easily with a fork and reaches 145° F ( 63° C) .
Remove the fish and place it on paper towels to drain. Serve immediately with lemon wedges. You’ll have a delicious quick fish dinner recipes that everyone will love.
Tips for the Best Fried Tilapia Ever
Want to know my secrets for a simple tilapia recipe ? Pat the fish dry before coating it. Hot oil is key to a crispy crust.
Don't overcook the fish! Also, try using a cast iron skillet. It makes the fish extra crispy. Alternatively, you can explore air fryer recipes tilapia , or tilapia in the air fryer with some Air Fryer Talapia Ideas for healthier options.
Remember when I tried to make this and the fish stuck to the pan? Oh my gosh! Total disaster. Learn from my mistakes.
Don't be afraid to experiment with the seasonings too! A little lemon pepper can make a huge difference. Hope this recipe helps you to prepare the most Tilapia Bites Air Fryer or pan-fried that you can imagine.
Ingredients & Equipment for Amazing Fried Tilapia
Alright, mate! Let's talk about what you'll need for this cracking fried tilapia recipe . It's proper simple, I promise!
Main Ingredients Breakdown
First, grab your star player:
- 2 Tilapia fillets ( 6 oz or 170g each). Fresh is best, innit? Look for firm, shiny flesh, not dull and sad.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour ( 60g ). Plain old flour does the trick, love.
- 1 tsp Paprika. This adds a lovely smokiness.
- ½ tsp Garlic powder. No fresh garlic needed here, easy peasy.
- ¼ tsp Onion powder. Adds a subtle background flavour.
- ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper. Optional, but I like a little kick!
- Salt and pepper. To taste, obviously. Don't be shy!
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil ( 30ml ). For frying. Any neutral oil will do.
- 1 Lemon. For serving. A squeeze of lemon juice makes everything better.
I remember the first time I made this pan-fried tilapia recipe easy . I forgot the paprika! Honestly, it still tasted good, but the paprika really makes a difference.
Seasoning Notes
We're aiming for a flavour bomb, yeah? The paprika, garlic, and onion powders are a classic combo.
Cayenne pepper is optional. I reckon it's good to add some warmth, but you do you. If you don't have cayenne, a pinch of chili flakes will work a treat.
Experiment with spice for Tilapia Bites Air Fryer .
No garlic powder? Use a minced clove of garlic. Easy substitutions, see?
Essential Equipment
Don't go thinking you need loads of fancy gadgets. Here's what you'll actually need:
- Shallow dish or plate. For coating the fish.
- Large skillet (cast iron preferred). Makes for an even crispy fried tilapia recipe .
- Tongs or spatula. For flipping the fish.
- Paper towels. For draining excess oil.
- Instant read thermometer (optional). This is helpful if you're paranoid about undercooking. You want to hit 145° F ( 63° C) , that is the golden number.
If you don't have a skillet, a frying pan will do just fine. You could even try making an Air Fryer Talapia Ideas style version using your Air Fryer Recipes Tilapia , or even Cook Fish In Air Fryer !
Honestly, this recipe is all about keeping it simple. You don't need to be a fancy chef to nail this.
Why Tilapia? Well, it is one of the Quick fish dinner recipes , plus it does not taste so "fishy". Best tilapia frying method ? Definitely pan-fried!
Crispy pan-fried Tilapia: A Weeknight Winner!
Fancy a fried tilapia recipe that's proper easy and tastes amazing? Honestly, this one is a game changer. It's all about getting that perfect crispy outside and flaky inside, without spending ages in the kitchen.
It's become one of my go-to quick fish dinner recipes , especially when I'm craving that crispy fried tilapia recipe feel.
Prep Steps: Ready, Steady, Fry!
First, get your mise en place sorted. That just means having everything ready before you start. We're talking 2 tilapia fillets , about 6 oz each.
Then you'll need the dry ingredients, lemon, oil, salt, and paper towels. Having everything close by will make this process much easier.
You know, like when you watch those cooking shows, and they've already prepped everything?
step-by-step: Golden Goodness
- Mix 1/2 cup flour , 1 tsp paprika , 1/2 tsp garlic powder , 1/4 tsp onion powder , 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper , salt, and pepper.
- Dry the fish! This is a MUST for crispy fried tilapia recipe . Pat those fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Coat each fillet evenly. Shake off the extra flour.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet (cast iron if you have it!) over medium high heat.
- Fry the fish for 4- 5 minutes per side. The internal temperature has to reach 145° F ( 63° C) .
- Drain on paper towels.
- Serve with lemon wedges and your favourite sides!
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Fry
- Hot oil is key. You want a good sizzle when the fish hits the pan. Avoid overcrowding the pan!
- Don't overcook. This will dry out the fish. Nobody wants that! If you use a Instant read thermometer it's even easier.
- Lemon pepper is your friend! Adding 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning to the flour mixture is amazing.
Honestly, this simple tilapia recipe is so versatile. I love it with chips and peas for a proper fish and chips night.
Or, if I'm trying to be healthy, a big salad works a treat. If you are also thinking about other alternatives, you can also consider a pan-fried tilapia recipe easy or even, Air Fryer Recipes Tilapia .
If you're into that, you can even explore some Tilapia Bites Air Fryer or Air Fryer Talapia Ideas . You can also Cook Fish In Air Fryer or even, Tilapia In The Air Fryer for a low-fat alternative.
This is definitely the Best tilapia frying method ! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes for Your fried tilapia recipe
Listen up, mate! Before you dive headfirst into this pan-fried tilapia recipe easy , let's run through some handy bits and bobs that'll make your crispy fried tilapia recipe a proper triumph.
Honestly, a little prep goes a long way.
Serving It Up Right
Right, so you've got this beautiful crispy fried tilapia recipe . Now what? Presentation matters, even if you're just scoffing it down on the sofa.
Think lemon wedges, always. They cut through the richness perfectly. You can try fresh parsley sprigs, too, for a pop of colour. Honestly, it's dead simple.
Sides? Chips (fries) are the classic choice, of course. Mushy peas if you're feeling fancy. For something lighter, a simple green salad does the trick.
If you are Southern, you can't go wrong with coleslaw and mashed potatoes!
Storage Savvy
Let's be real. Leftover fish isn't always the best. But if you do have some leftover fried tilapia recipe , here's the lowdown.
In the fridge, keep it in an airtight container. It's good for about 2 days, max.
Freezing fried tilapia recipe cooked? Hmm, wouldn't recommend it. It's likely to get a bit soggy.
Reheating? A quick zap in the microwave will do, but it won't be as crispy. Best tilapia frying method is to eat it fresh, innit? If you want to make it crispy again then put it in the Air fryer.
Air Fryer Recipes Tilapia is great for reheating it
Twists and Turns
Fancy a bit of a change? No worries, this simple tilapia recipe is super adaptable.
Want a gluten-free fried tilapia recipe ? Just swap the plain flour for a gluten-free blend. Bob's Red Mill makes a decent one.
Or Cook Fish In Air Fryer it and make it gluten-free by removing the flour and making Tilapia Bites Air Fryer !
For a bit of extra flavour, add some lemon pepper seasoning to the flour. Zesty, innit? Or use Tilapia In The Air Fryer with no flour for a cleaner taste!
Nutrition Nitty Gritty
Alright, let's keep this simple. One serving of this fried tilapia recipe is around 300 calories. You are looking at 35 grams of protein!
It's a good source of protein, obviously. Tilapia itself is low in fat and calories, which is good. Just watch out for the oil from frying and salt from the seasoning.
Quick fish dinner recipes don't have to be unhealthy, ya know?
So there you have it. A quick fish dinner recipes that’s easy, tasty, and pretty versatile. Don't be afraid to have a go and put your own spin on it.
Now go get frying!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the secret to getting my fried tilapia recipe extra crispy, like proper chippy style?
Right then, the key to that glorious crispy crust is twofold. First, make sure you pat those tilapia fillets bone dry with kitchen paper before dredging them in the flour mix. This helps the flour stick better.
Secondly, ensure your oil is nice and hot before you add the fish you want it shimmering, not smoking!
Can I use a different type of flour for this fried tilapia recipe? I'm trying to be a bit healthier.
Absolutely! If you're watching your waistline or just fancy a change, you can easily substitute regular all-purpose flour. Whole wheat flour will give a slightly nuttier flavour and denser crust.
Alternatively, almond flour or a gluten-free blend work wonders if you're avoiding gluten just remember they might brown a bit quicker, so keep an eye on them!
How do I know when my fried tilapia is properly cooked? I don't want to poison anyone!
Don't want a repeat of 'Allo 'Allo!. The easiest way to check is to gently flake the fish with a fork. If it separates easily and is opaque all the way through, it's done. For extra peace of mind, use an instant read thermometer. It should register 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part of the fillet.
Remember, overcooked tilapia is dry tilapia, and nobody wants that!
What's the best way to store leftover fried tilapia, and how long will it last?
Pop any leftover fried tilapia into an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It'll be good for 2-3 days. However, be warned: it won't be as crispy as when it was freshly fried. To reheat, consider using the oven or an air fryer to help crisp it up a bit, or if you're brave, a quick pan-fry!
I'm trying to add more spice to my life! How can I spice up this fried tilapia recipe?
Fancy a bit of a kick, do ya? Loads of options here! A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favourite hot sauce in the flour mix will do the trick. You could also add some smoked paprika for a smoky heat, or even a bit of chili powder for a more complex flavour.
If you are feeling particularly adventurous, why not add a dash of scotch bonnet.
Crispy Panfried Tilapia A Weeknight Winner
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 300 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 12g |
| Fiber | 0g |