Easy 6-Ingredient Baked Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

A quick and easy, 6-ingredient recipe for crispy baked tortilla crusted tilapia is a healthy, delicious, and economical weeknight meal. (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free)

Are you intimidated by cooking fish? I find that a lot of people are if they’re new to cooking fish (or cooking in general) and tend to steer away from seafood. But they shouldn’t be! Fish is actually super easy to prepare and so versatile, plus it’s heart healthy and delicious! One of the easiest ways to dive into preparing fish at home is baking it with an easy, crispy coating, like this tortilla crusted tilapia, with only 6 easy ingredients!

Why You’ll Love This Baked Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

• This recipe is not only an easy way to get started with preparing fish, it’s also a great weeknight staple! With only 6 simple ingredients – fish, tortilla chips, lime, and spices – it comes together quickly.
• It’s affordable. Tilapia is an inexpensive fish, and with just a couple pantry staples, this recipe is easy on your budget. This is a great recipe for using up those crumbs at the bottom of the tortilla chip bag that tend to be stale anyway. They crisp up perfectly in the oven!
• It’s also healthy, because it’s baked and full of lean protein. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, so it fits into a variety of dietary patterns.
• Finally this tortilla crusted tilapia is delicious! With a crunchy tortilla coating full of Mexican-inspired spices and a firm, flaky interior, this is a great dish for those weary of eating fish. 

Tips For Buying and Storing Fish

If you aren’t used to cooking fish, you probably aren’t used to buying it either. Here are some tips to make sure you get great-tasting results:

• Make sure you get what’s fresh. Fresh tilapia filets should be firm, white, and not have an overly ‘fishy’ smell. If it’s not fresh, pick another whitefish, such as cod. 
• If your budget is a little tighter, try frozen tilapia filets! I love the frozen tilapia ‘loins’ from Costco for a great budget-friendly option. But keep in mind, frozen fish does tend to have a little bit stronger taste.
• If you aren’t going to cook your fish within 1-2 days of buying it, store it in the freezer in vacuum-sealed bags until ready to cook. Fish should be removed from the bags while thawing.

How To Make Baked Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

This baked tilapia recipe couldn’t be easier!

1. Crush up tortilla chips and mix with the spices (chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin).
2. Rinse and dry tilapia filets and squeeze some lime juice over them.
3. Gently press the tortilla crumbs into tilapia filets and place them on a baking sheet. 
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, and enjoy!

Tips For Making The Best Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

• Don’t worry if the tortilla crumbs don’t completely stick to the fish. Do your best to gently press them into the filets, and sprinkle more on top. Smaller crumbs will stick better than larger ones.
• Cooking time on the fish will vary based on the thickness. Fish is done when it is opaque and flakes easily, or when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
• Broil for a minute or two at the end for more browning and crunch.
• For even easier prep, you can use pre-seasoned tortilla chips and omit the spices!
• This recipe is best served right away. I don’t recommend reheating lean fish like tilapia. 

What To Serve With Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

With this recipe, dinner can be as easy as opening a can of beans and slicing some avocado, or a little more involved, like tacos or burrito bowls. You can also serve tortilla crusted tilapia with:

• Easy Refried Black Beans
• Cilantro Lime Quinoa (shown here)
• Mango Salsa
• Easy Guacamole
• Avocado Jicama Cucumber Salad
• Grilled Pineapple Black Bean Salsa

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!

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