Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia – Easy, Flavorful & Healthy Dinner
Make dinner simple and delicious with this Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia recipe! Tender, flaky fish is baked to perfection in a rich garlic butter sauce for a flavorful meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a light and healthy family dinner. Pair it with roasted vegetables, rice, or salad for a complete dish everyone will love!
Equipment
- Baking sheet or casserole dish
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Mixing bowl
- Small saucepan (for garlic butter)
- Basting brush (optional)
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 oz each, fresh or thawed)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon slices (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Set oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
- Make Garlic Butter – In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare Tilapia – Pat fillets dry with paper towels. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Coat Fish – Brush or spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over each fillet.
- Bake – Bake for 12–15 minutes, until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (internal temp should reach 145°F/63°C).
- Serve – Garnish with fresh parsley or dill and lemon slices. Serve hot with rice, vegetables, or a light salad.
Notes
- For a lighter option, reduce butter to 2 tbsp and add 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Works well with other white fish like cod, haddock, or halibut.
- Frozen tilapia should be thawed and patted dry to avoid excess moisture.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and gently reheated.