Baked Blackened Tilapia is oven-baked with fresh or frozen tilapia filets with a savory and spicy blackened seasoning rub made with pantry spices. A healthy, fast, and easy fish recipe ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Tilapia fillets—fresh or thawed frozen
Olive oil—or melted butter
Homemade Blackening Seasoning Rub—paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper
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Featured Comment from Colleen:
Loved the recipe! …Baking is way better than cooking on the stovetop. Less mess and more reliable (for me at least).
Baked tilapia recipes are generally very easy and quick to make. Even fish haters will like tilapia.
Baking blackened tilapia in the oven on a sheet pan instead of pan-frying tilapia in a cast iron skillet is easier, healthier, and less messy results.
👨🍳How to Make Baked Blackened Tilapia in the Oven—Step-by-Step
1. Preheat oven to 400° convection or 425° conventional.
2. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ¼ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon dry thyme, one teaspoon dry oregano, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. This makes more blackened seasoning than you need. Store the extra for later sealed airtight.
3. Line a sheet pan or baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Spray the foil with PAM or add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and brush over the foil.
4. Rinse and pat dry 1 pound of tilapia with paper towels.
5. Brush the tilapia with olive oil or melted butter.
6. Cover the fillets with the spice rub on both sides of the tilapia fillets. You only need about ¼ to ⅓ of the spice mix you made. DO NOT USE ALL THE MIX.
7. Place the fish on the oiled sheet pan and lightly spray it with PAM. Place it in the preheated oven.
8. Cook until nicely brown and flaky. This is 8-9 minutes for big fillets and a minute or two less for small to medium fillets. For safety, fish needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°. Check the cooking a few minutes early.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
Related recipes
Try my other tilapia recipes, like grilled blackened tilapia, baked parmesan tilapia, or lemon butter tilapia.
For other blackening recipes, check out Blackened Chicken Breasts and Homemade Blackened Seasoning, which you can use to make blackened salmon using my garlic butter salmon.
Options, variations, and tips—make it right every time.
Make a hotter baked Cajun tilapia by increasing the cayenne (see discussion below) or using your favorite Cajun seasoning.
For milder heat, adjust or leave out the cayenne or use a Creole seasoning for baked Creole tilapia.
Use fresh or frozen tilapia. I generally recommend thawing frozen tilapia overnight in the refrigerator.
Thawing frozen fish fillets will give more predictable results, but most fish recipes can be cooked with frozen fillets. The cooking time is usually about doubled, but check early and cook to 145° internal temperature.
I use aluminum foil coated with oil or PAM cooking spray to prevent sticking and help clean up, but parchment paper or a silicone baking mat will work.
Do not overcook the tilapia, or it will become very dry rapidly.
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Can I substitute a different fish for the tilapia?
Other fish fillets, like cod or halibut, can be used and typically cook about the same with an easy thickness adjustment. Generally, fish will need about 10 minutes per inch of thickness of the fish fillet. Check for a final internal temperature of 145° with an instant-read thermometer.
🔥Blackening seasoning—adjusting the heat
There are two ways to adjust the heat for this blackening seasoning mix.
First is the paprika. Many people will like to use smoked paprika. Hungarian paprika is generally hot. But most paprikas are just called paprika, which is sweet paprika, which is what I usually prefer.
The second heat adjustment is the amount of cayenne pepper amount.
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper will be 9/10 hot
- ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper will be 7/10 hot
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper will be 3-4/10 hot—my usual
- none-the heat will depend on the paprika
Serving
Serve topped with tartar sauce, lemon or lime juice, or slices of lemon or lime. You can also serve it as a sandwich.
Try hot vegetables, smashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, low-fat biscuits, Cheddar Bay Biscuits, or cornbread biscuits for side dishes.
Also, it makes terrific fish tacos. Serve with Mexican rice, guacamole, nacho corn chips, and pineapple or avocado salsa.
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Quick and Easy Tartar Sauce uses only four ingredients you already have in your kitchen. A small homemade version that is better than the store-bought version.
❓FAQs
By FDA rules, bake to an internal temperature of 145° in the thickest part. It should also flake easily with a fork. It will take 7-8 minutes in a 425° oven. Always check the fish a minute or two early.
Yes. An air fryer is a small convection oven. Just follow the instructions baking at 400° for about 8 minutes to 145° and flakey.
Blackening, Cajun, and Creole seasonings all have a base of paprika, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
But Creole seasoning tends to add more herbs and is milder, while Cajun seasoning is generally very hot. So, depending on how you vary your spice choices, make them all with this seasoning or use a commercial seasoning.
🐟Is tilapia healthy?
Tilapia is a healthy, mild-tasting fish that even non-fish eaters will love when appropriately seasoned. It has much less of that "fishy" smell and taste many people don't like.
Tilapia is a good source of low-fat protein. It is also low in sodium, low in calories, low carb, and, of course, gluten-free. It fits nicely in a healthy diet, even if a few "health" sites have attacked tilapia with click-bate headlines.
Most tilapia is farm-raised around the world. While farm-raised tilapia is slightly lower in omega-3 fatty acids than some wild fish, it is also lower in mercury.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
📖The Recipe Card
Baked Blackened Tilapia
Video Slideshow
Ingredients
- 1 pound Tilapia fillets - fresh or thawed frozen
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - or melted butter
- 3 tablespoons paprika - of your choice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper - to taste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° convection or 425° conventional.
- In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ¼ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon dry thyme, one teaspoon dry oregano, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. This makes more blackened seasoning than you need. Store the extra for later sealed airtight.
- Line a sheet pan or baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with PAM or add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and brush over the foil. You may also use parchment paper.
- Rinse and pat dry 1 pound of tilapia with paper towels.
- Brush the tilapia with olive oil or melted butter.
- Cover the fillets with the spice rub on both sides of the tilapia fillets. You only need about ¼ to ⅓ of the spice mix you made. DO NOT USE ALL THE MIX.
- Place the fish on the prepared sheet pan and lightly spray it with PAM. Place it in the preheated oven.
- Cook until nicely brown and flaky. This is 8-9 minutes for big fillets and a minute or two less for small to medium fillets. For safety, fish needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°. Check the cooking a few minutes early.
- If you want a homemade tartar sauce, combine ⅓ cup mayo, 2 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish, and ¼ teaspoon onion powder. Mix well.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- The spice mix makes more than you need. You only need ¼ to ⅓ of the mix for one pound of fish. Save the unused rub sealed tightly for another cooking.
- The cayenne heat level will be 9/10 at 1 teaspoon, 7/10 at ½ teaspoon, and 3-4/10 at ¼ teaspoon. Or skip it if you want.
- Use a cajun seasoning or any other seasoning you want.
- Remember, you can cook fish with different seasonings on the same tray.
- Generally, there will be about four filets of tilapia per pound.
- You may use other fish or frozen tilapia—discussed in the recipe post.
- Fish needs to reach 145° for safety and should be flaky when done.
- Cooking time is about 5 minutes per half-inch thickness of the fish.
- The oven temperature should be 400° to 450°. I like 425° convection, which gives a better texture.
- A light spray of oil (PAM) helps prevent a dry surface.
- Check the fish a minute or two early.
- Nutritional information does not include the tarter sauce.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Editor note: This article was originally published on August 3, 2012. It has been updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help with navigation.
Diane says
Thank you. Made this last night and it was awesome!
DrDan says
Thanks for the note
DrDan
Camie says
Hi! I just found your website today. I created an account so that I could save recipes, but when I clicked the save recipe button, it said the page could not be found. Is this on my end or is something not working correctly? Thanks! Can't wait to try this tilapia recipe!
DrDan says
That function is from ZipList and I have little if any control. I did check it as much as I can and it appears to be working. I have not heard of other problems. Try accessing through the menu bar and see what happens. And a restart is always a good thing.
As for the recipe... great choice
DrDan
Sarah says
I just made this, and it is absolutely delicious! I will be keeping this recipe around for frequent use. Thanks for sharing!
DrDan says
I do love this recipe. Just so tasty and easy. I don't do it often enough.
Thanks for the comment
DrDan
Jack P says
Dr Axe (whoever he is) says tilapia is not good for you.
DrDan says
OK..... Anybody can say anything. Too much of anything may not be good for you. This is true of fish more than many other foods due to environmental contamination.
I believe controlled studies in peered reviewed journals, not internet statements (AKA BS).
DrDan
Amy @ Fearless Homemaker says
Despite the fact that I'm a food blogger, I've always been intimidated to make fish at home. One of my 2014 cooking goals was to banish that fear and learn to cook fish at home, and this was the first recipe I tried. I'm SO pleased to report that it was SO simple to make and it turned out delicious! I cut the cayenne way back, and gave it a minute under the broiler at the end, and it was lovely. Thanks for a fab recipe! Cheers, Amy
DrDan says
Thanks for the note. It is one of my favorites. I need to do more fish also.
DrDan
Cas67 says
This looks incredible. I took out tilapia for Sunday dinner but having found this recipe I can't wait til tomorrow so gonna cook it tonight. Judging from all the comments it sounds amazing. Will let you know how I get on : D
DrDan says
This is really really good but watch the heat a little. I use a half teaspoon plus of cayenne pepper. This was a 7/10 hot. Manly man is 1 tsp and 0 - 1/4 tsp is the family setting. There is a grilled version that is a little crispier but I have 2 feet of snow on my grill now...
DrDan
KC says
What an AMAZING recipe for tilapia! Thank you SO much for this! :-) ..I didn't have any onion powder on hand so, I substituted that portion of the ingredients for 1/3 cup of chopped onions and it made this delicious dish, in my opinion, that much more flavorful. :-) . Also, I totally agree that 1/8 Cayenne pepper is the perfect amount for this recipe... (if not just a pinch less...LOL). It gave it just enough "bite" to it, that I didn't even taste it until I was going for the next bite! :-) . It was JUST right. In addition to this, instead of just using extra virgin olive oil, I actually incorporated an organic "Tomato Infused Oil" that already has the extra virgin olive oil in it's own ingredients! :-) . I coated the tin foil with this, the fish (before the seasonings..) and also, used what was left over on the plate from the fish, to saturate the chopped onions before I added those to the top last! Long story short...(hah)...this was an AMAZING dinner and I WISH I had another bag of tilapia right now so I could make some more! Thanks again!!! :-)
DrDan says
Great write-up. I occasionally use infused oils for "private" cooking. I don't use them for published recipes since somebody would go crazy trying to find what I used from that small specialty oil storefront. So I just keep it basic. As you obviously know, a recipe is just guidelines. This recipe does make me "want" to eat fish.
DrDan
DrDan says
I call the full teaspoon of cayenne the "Manly Man" setting. 1/2 teaspoon is really all I can do here and that is pushing it some. Plus you put all that spice on just two fillets. Wow...
The broiler will brown them a little but also dried them some... maybe I just over cooked a little those times but be careful and don't overdo it....
Thanks for the comment
DrDan
Rich says
I tried the recipe; since I like spicy foods I amped up the cayenne a bit. I had three fillets, but was cooking for young kids too, so I used all the rub on only two of the fillets. It was a little spicy even for me; could have halved the amounts like suggested and would have been perfect. I will try again with this mod along with hitting them with the broiler for the last few minutes to get more of the blackened effect.
Theresa says
I tried this recipe and it was good, but a little hot and spicy, I think I will cut down on the cayenne, next time.
DrDan says
Thanks for the comment. The 1/2 tsp of cayenne is more than hot enough for me. The 1 tsp (which is what was in the original rub) is just too much for me.
DrDan
Nikki says
I just made this for dinner. I had small to medium fillets, so I only left them in the oven for 8 minutes. I also only used 1/8 tsp ceyenne pepper. Had to think about my kids lol Nonethess it was tasty with just tad bit of kick! Thanks for the recipe!
DrDan says
Thanks, the 1/8 t may still be too much for some. I can't imagine the whole teaspoon the original Big Daddy recipe had...
R Roby says
I just made this with 4-good sized fillets. I loved the flavor profile and the quick assembly. For my taste, I would cut most of the spices in 1/2 or take it up to the broiler for the last 2-4 minute to crust the seasonings on top. just a tad too much dry/bulk seasonings on the surface... AWESOME flavor, will make again. My wife and I have a rating scale 5-Keeper as is, 1-wadded and thrown away. Strong 4.5 with adjustments...
Dan Mikesell says
I'll take a 4.5 any day. Yep, it is 7/10 hot with the 1/2 t cayenne. The original recipe for the seasoning was a full tsp. That is really manly man stuff... I have stayed at 1/2 tsp but maybe I should sneak it down a little. I have tried the broiler to "crisp" it up some and it seemed to dry before it browned much. Maybe a tad more PAM would help. The grilled version is nicely crisp.
Thanks for the comment.
Francesco Smith says
Excellent! quick,easy,delicious,A+ Thanks!
Dan Mikesell says
I'm from Iowa and if it doesn't moo, oink or cluck then you don't eat it. With this recipe, I don't even think I'm eating fish and no fish smell (I really hate fish smell). I continue to repeat this recipe at home. Try the grilled version, I think it is even better with a little grilling char on it.
Mike Ashton says
I seriously dislike fish... with that said, I really enjoyed this!
Dan Mikesell says
I'm clad it mostly worked for you. You may like it a bit better with the thyme. Also, try a pinch of cayenne, maybe an 1/8 tsp. it will balance the recipe.