Description
Classic pan-fried tilapia brings delicate fish to life with crispy edges and zesty seasonings. Lemon-herb butter sauce complements the flaky white fish, creating a simple yet elegant meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 1 ½ lbs or 680 g)
- ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for extra flavor)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Fillets: Pat tilapia thoroughly with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, guaranteeing a crisp, golden exterior during cooking.
- Create Seasoning: Mix flour with garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish to develop a robust flavor profile.
- Coat Fillets: Dredge each fillet through seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to create an even, delicate coating that will transform into a crunchy crust.
- Heat Skillet: Warm olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, optionally adding butter to enhance richness and promote caramelization.
- Fry Fish: Carefully place coated fillets into hot oil, maintaining space between pieces to ensure perfect browning and prevent steaming.
- Cook and Crisp: Sear each side for 3-4 minutes until achieving a golden-brown exterior and fish becomes flaky when gently probed with a fork.
- Serve Beautifully: Transfer crispy tilapia to a serving platter, garnish with fresh parsley, and accompany with vibrant lemon wedges for a citrusy finish.
Notes
- Moisture Mastery: Pat fish completely dry with paper towels to achieve a supremely crispy exterior and prevent soggy breading.
- Seasoning Strategy: Mix flour with spices thoroughly, creating an even, flavorful coating that enhances the tilapia’s natural taste.
- Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning while ensuring golden-brown crust and even cooking throughout the fillet.
- Batch Cooking Technique: Fry fish in separate groups to preserve optimal oil temperature and guarantee perfectly crisp results without overcrowding the pan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg