Skip to main content

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Recipe

Image
Donna Urso

If you are tired of bland tilapia try this Parmesan Crusted Almond Flour Delight! This recipe will elevate your weeknight fish routine with loads of flavor.

Tilapia is a versatile and affordable protein, but sometimes the classic recipes can feel a little boring.  This parmesan-crusted tilapia with a healthy almond flour twist is here to change that! Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it's also packed with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights. 

How to Make Tasty Pan-Seared Tilapia: Parmesan Crusted

4 pieces of Parmesan crusted tilapia on a white plate with lemon wedges and parsley.

The secret weapon in this recipe is almond flour.  It replaces traditional breadcrumbs, creating a delicious crust that's gluten-free and lower in carbs. Plus, almond flour adds a nutty richness that complements the parmesan cheese beautifully, browns nicely, and adds crunch.

This recipe is a regular on my weekly meal rotation. Are you ready to ditch bland fish and embrace flavorful fillets? Let's get cooking!

You Will Need

  • A woman assembling the ingredients to make tilapia breading. Holding a zester for a lemon.
    2 Tilapia fillets
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • olive oil or avocado oil for frying

Benefits of Almond Flour

Swapping breadcrumbs for almond flour offers several benefits. First, it's naturally gluten-free, making this recipe perfect for those with dietary restrictions. Second, almond flour is lower in carbs than breadcrumbs, making it a great choice for those watching their carb intake.  But most importantly, it adds a delightful texture and depth of flavor to the crust that I think you'll love.

A woman dipping tilapia fillets in an egg mixture.

Instructions:

1. Prep the Breading: In a shallow dish, combine the almond flour, parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and lemon zest. 

2. Prep the Egg  Mixture: Beat the egg, salt, and pepper together. Pat the tilapia fillets dry and dip in the egg mixture to coat.

3. Heat Up the Pan: Heat the olive or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 

4. Coat the Tilapia: Press each fillet firmly into the almond flour mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated.

5. Sear to Perfection: Carefully add the breaded tilapia to the hot pan. Don't overcrowd the pan - cook in batches if necessary. Sear the fish for 2-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and flakey. 

6. Plate and Enjoy!  Serve your parmesan-crusted almond flour tilapia immediately with your favorite sides. 

Tips & Variations:

For extra flavor, add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill to the almond flour mixture. Want to add a spicy kick?  Use a dash of cayenne pepper in the breading.

 Don't have almond flour? Panko is always a good option for crunch without the low-carb benefit. You can substitute with finely ground pork rinds for a similar low-carb option. 

 Prefer oven-baked fish? Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the breaded tilapia for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.

Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fish for extra brightness.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Can I use something besides almond flour?

Yes! I've become a fan of almond flour for the reasons I mentioned above, but here are a few alternatives:

Panko breadcrumbs: These Japanese breadcrumbs will create a lighter and airier crust than almond flour.

Crushed nuts: Finely crushed walnuts, pecans, or even macadamia nuts can add a unique textural element and nutty flavor. I'm a fan of the crushed pecans.

Why didn't you use all-purpose flour for dredging? Isn't that a usual step?

In my opinion, dredging with flour is optional. It can help the almond flour mixture adhere better to the fish, but it's not essential. If you're following a strict gluten-free or keto diet, you can omit the flour dredging altogether.

How can I tell when the tilapia is cooked through?

The best way to tell if your tilapia is cooked through is to use a food thermometer. The internal temperature of the fish should reach 145°F (63°C). Alternatively, you can gently flake the fish with a fork. If it flakes easily and appears opaque throughout, it's done.

Can I bake the tilapia instead?

Yes, you can definitely bake the tilapia! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the breaded fillets for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through. 

The Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Recipe

gluten-free dinner, low-carb, keto

dinner
American
Yield: 2
Author: Donna Urso
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Crispy Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

A tasty, quick option for preparing tilapia with a crusty Parmesan breading.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 15 Min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Prep the Breading: In a shallow dish, combine the almond flour, parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and lemon zest.
  2. Prep the Egg Mixture: Beat the egg, salt, and pepper together. Pat the tilapia fillets dry and dip in the egg mixture to coat.
  3. Heat the Pan: Heat the olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Coat the Tilapia: Press each fillet firmly into the almond flour mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated.
  5. Sear to Perfection: Carefully add the breaded tilapia to the hot pan. Don't overcrowd the pan - cook in batches if necessary. Sear the fish for 2-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and flakey.
  6. Plate and Enjoy! Serve your parmesan-crusted almond flour tilapia immediately with your favorite sides.

Recommended Products

Cutting Board Set
Zester/Grater
12 inch non-stick skillet

Nutrition Facts

Calories

500.43

Fat (grams)

28.84 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

7.27 g

Carbs (grams)

11.96 g

Fiber (grams)

3.45 g

Net carbs

7.54 g

Sugar (grams)

1.35 g

Protein (grams)

53.34 g

Sodium (milligrams)

1170.89 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

270.43 mg

Nutritional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Shrimp Boil Dinner in Foil Packets

Southwest Salmon with Sriracha Sauce

Grilled Clams in Lemon Herb Butter

©Just One Donna

Comments

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

Donna Urso
In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect.
3 comments
Read more

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Donna Urso
These old-fashioned whoopie pies are soft, chocolatey, and filled with a rich, creamy filling, just like the ones many of us remember. This is a true New England-style recipe. If you’re looking for a true whoopie pie recipe—the kind made in New England with a cooked filling—this is it. Whoopie pies are a beloved treat, a nostalgic dessert that evokes childhood memories and continues to delight today. My mom would make them for us every once in a while. Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies! This recipe, inspired by traditional Maine-style whoopie pies, comes from my family recipe box. It delivers soft, chocolatey cakes with a rich, creamy cooked filling – no marshmallow fluff needed! The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe (Soft cakes & Creamy Filling) This post includes affiliate links. Whoopie pies are essentially handheld cake sandwiches: soft, round, cake-like cookies embracing a luscious, creamy filling.  While their ...
11 comments
Read more

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

Donna Urso
If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!
2 comments
Read more

How to Kill Ants in Your Home

Donna Urso
Simple Homemade Ant Bait That Works If you’ve ever had ants show up in your kitchen, you know how quickly a small problem turns into a big one. This simple homemade ant bait uses just three ingredients and works by eliminating the colony, not just the ants you see. No sprays. No guesswork. Just a method that actually works.
Post a Comment
Read more

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

Donna Urso
One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can surely bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookie Recipe What are old-fashioned date-filled cookies?   Old-fashioned date-filled cookies are a nostalgic, soft sandwich cookie featuring two rounds of tender sugar cookie dough with a sweet, homemade date jam filling in the center.  This vintage 1930s recipe is a traditional holiday favorite, prized for its soft texture and the perfect balance of buttery dough and naturally sweet dates. This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932, so this...
18 comments
Read more

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Donna Urso
An Old-Fashioned Cookie That Always Turns Out There’s something about a good gingersnap cookie that just feels right. Not fancy. Not complicated. Just dependable… and really, really good. These crunchy, spicy gingersnaps are the kind of cookie you make when you want something you know will turn out—and something everyone will recognize and enjoy. They’ve got that classic crackled top, a warm blend of spices, and just enough sweetness to balance it all out. And the best part? They’re easy. No mixer required. Traditional Ginger Snaps Cookie Recipe ( This post contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase with these links.) Gingersnaps Cookies This old-fashioned gingersnap cookie is a winner.  It's easy to make and will be a favorite in your recipe rotation.
11 comments
Read more

Five Keys to Growing A Healthy Ficus Tree

Donna Urso
Have you ever wondered how a single Ficus benjamina tree could become a beloved part of your home for decades, thriving and growing alongside your family?  If you haven’t yet, you might consider the addition of this living, air-purifying companion in your home that not only beautifies your space but also stands the test of time.  You may know this tree as either a Ficus benjamina or a weeping fig.   I have loved growing a ficus tree in my home for 36 years. It’s remarkable that I've had this tree for so long.   How to Grow A Ficus Tree Inside for Decades This post includes affiliate links. I may receive compensation when you use these links. When thinking about how I managed to keep this indoor ficus tree happy, healthy, and growing strong all these years it boiled down to five key Ficus benjamina plant care tips. Follow these tips and you can have a happy, healthy ficus tree in your home for many years, too.
22 comments
Read more

The Ultimate Cinnamon Swirl Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

Donna Urso
Today's recipe will fill your kitchen with an incredible aroma and lots of smiles. It's homemade cinnamon swirl bread made with your bread machine. If you’ve ever struggled to get that perfect cinnamon swirl or ended up with gaps or leaking filling, this method fixes that using your bread machine. Bread Machine Cinnamon Swirl Bread (Soft, Easy Recipe) This post includes affiliate links. This recipe brings together the ease of your trusty bread machine with the deliciousness of a warm, sweet, and perfectly swirled cinnamon bread. Get ready for a slice of pure comfort!
2 comments
Read more

The Best Way to Cook Bacon: Oven vs. Stovetop

Donna Urso
How to cook bacon is often hotly debated. Cooking bacon in a pan on the stove has always been an easy go-to method. Cooking bacon in the oven has grown in popularity over time.  Are you curious about which bacon cooking method cooks bacon faster, which method produces the crispiest bacon, or which method offers easier cleanup? Those were the primary questions I wanted to answer in this bacon cooking comparison. How to Cook Bacon (This post includes paid links.) Whether you're a breakfast aficionado or just looking for bacon cooking tips for the quickest, crunchiest, and most hassle-free way to cook your bacon, I've got answers. Check out the Oven vs. Stovetop bacon battle and discover the fastest, crispiest, and easiest way to cook bacon for breakfast.
Post a Comment
Read more

Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

Donna Urso
These calla lily tea sandwiches are an easy way to create something truly special for a bridal shower, tea party, or small gathering, without making things complicated. One look at these calla lily tea sandwiches and you might think they are far too fussy for you to make for your special gathering.   Fear not! These calla lily tea sandwiches are adorable, tasty, and not too fussy once you get your assembly technique down. Best of all, these calla lily finger sandwiches make a beautiful presentation on your buffet table. Calla Lily Finger Sandwiches (This post includes affiliate links.) Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches If you are looking for finger sandwiches that are a little different, you have found them here. These calla lily sandwiches are a perfect little bite to add to your party menu.  They are especially perfect for bridal show...
Post a Comment
Read more