Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (2024)

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This easy keto baked tilapia recipe is not only delicious but it only takes 25 minutes to make. With only a few basicingredients you can have a flavorful fish dinner with only 1.7g net carbs per serving!

You might also like this low carb pesto tilapia recipe.

Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (1)

I remember making a tasty dish with chicken, mayoand cheese many, many years ago but haven’t made it in ages. I really liked it and since I hada huge block of asiago cheese from Costco, I thought I’d try it with tilapia.

Now I actually crave this easy keto baked tilapia recipe. It’s only 1.7g net carbs per serving and I have to say it’s delicious! I try to make extra so I can eat it for lunch but there never seems to be much left over.

The topping is a creamy, cheesy mixture of herbs and spices that you spread on this flaky white fish. Then it’s baked in the oven until golden brown and develops a delicious crust. This tender fish is super easy to make and great for busy weeknight meal.

Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (2)

Recipe ingredients I used.

All you need to make this tasty fish dinner is tilapia, mayonnaise, Asiago cheese, garlic, onion powder, thyme, basil, salt and black pepper.

Mayonnaise
This is used to make a spread to put on the fish. There really isn’t a substitution for this ingredient.

Asiago Cheese
I like this sharp cheese because it has tons of flavor. However you can also substitute with grated parmesan cheese or grated Romano cheese if you want.

Garlic
really like the fresh garlic in this recipe and don’t recommend using garlic powder. But if that is all you have the rule of thumb is ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder equals 1 clove of garlic.

Seasonings
I used dried thyme and basil to season this recipe but you can also substitute the two spices with Italian seasoning. You can also add a little hot pepper flakes if you want to add a bit of heat.

Tilapia
I’ve made this both fillets and loins. The loins are thicker and meatier and the fillets are flatter and thinner. However I prefer the loins but you can use either. Also I used frozen tilapia and it works great but you can use fresh fish if you want.

Below you can see this recipe using the tilapia fillets (pictured below right photo) which are wider, thinner and easies to find. Whereas tilapia loins (pictured below left photo) are thicker and more rectangular in shape. Both kinds of tilapia will work fine just the loins may take another couple of minutes to cook.

Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (3)

Can you use other types of fish?

If you want to try this with another kind of fish I would keep it to a flaky mild white fish. Some substitution options are sea bass, flounder, orange roughy, red snapper and rainbow trout.

How to make this keto baked tilapia recipe.

  1. If you are using frozen fish, thaw according to package directions.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a baking dish or baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  3. Get out a medium bowl and mix together mayonnaise, crushed garlic, asiago cheese, onion powder, thyme, basil, salt and black pepper.
  4. Take a paper towel and dab the fish dry then place on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Spoon the mayonnaise and cheese mixture on top of the tilapia and spread over the surface. Do this with all of the fish.
  5. Place the fish fillets into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes. If using tilapia filets it will be closer to 15 minutes and the loins will take more time. If you want it more golden brown on top, broil for 2-3 minutes. Store leftovers in an airtight container.

When I used the filets, they were pretty thin and only took 15 minutes. The loins are thicker and take about 20 minutes to cook through. Please scroll down to view the printable recipe card.

If you want you can garnish with fresh lemon slices or lemon wedges. Fresh parsley sprigs would look great too!

Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (4)

Other easy tilapia recipes to try.

I like tilapia because it’s a white flaky fish with a mild flavor. It’s also easy to find and rather inexpensive. I usually have a package of tilapia filets or loins in the freezer for quick meals. Below are a few more low carb recipes using this fish.

  • panko and parmesan crusted baked fish recipe
  • breaded pan fried tilapia with tomatoes
  • tilapia prepared with pesto or Romano style
Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (5)

Recipe ideas to serve with this tilapia dish.

This is a good dish to serve with greens. The mayo and cheese make it pretty rich so any green vegetable side dish will balance it out to make a healthy dinner.

Two keto veggies to try are these spicy green beans or asparagus fries. Sometimes we even have cauliflower rice. Last night I served my sesame greens and it was a perfect simple dinner with little cooking time.

Add a green salad and you are set for dinner! I have a variety of keto salad recipes you try if you are interested.

Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (6)

This keto baked tilapia is an easy and healthy recipe that even my son will eat. He’s not a big fish fan yet but he’s slowly coming around. It’s also a good go to dinner for busy weeknights if you have frozen fish on hand.

So that was a quick and easy one for you. If you are following a low carb diet this really is a low carb meal for you that you can make any night. But even if you don’t care about carbs, I know you will love this.

Here is the nutrition facts for 1 filet: 341 cals / 22.4g fat / 1.8g carbs / 0.1g fiber / 34.5g protein = 1.7g net carb count

Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (7)

Easy Keto Baked Tilapia

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This easy keto baked tilapia dish is not only delicious but it only takes 25 minutes to make. The perfect weekday dinner and only 1.7g net carbs per serving!

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon basil
  • ½ cup Asiago cheese or Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 6 tilapia filets or tilapia loins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray a cookie sheet or baking dish and lay your tilapia filets down in a single layer. Use a paper towel to dab the extra moisture or water off the filets. This way the mixture will cling to the fish better.
  3. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and then spread on each filet.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until flaky. If using tilapia filets it will be closer to 15 minutes and the loins will take more time. If you want it more brown on top, broil for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Garnish with a slice of lemon or fresh parsley if you want. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 341Net Carbohydrates: 1.7gg

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Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (8)
Easy Keto Baked Tilapia Recipe - Only 25 minutes to make! (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook tilapia so it doesn't taste fishy? ›

Marinate the Tilapia in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs such as parsley, basil, or cilantro. This will help to neutralize any fishy flavors and add a fresh, bright taste to the fish. Bake Tilapia in the oven with a flavorful topping such as breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese, herbs, and butter.

Do you wash tilapia before baking? ›

Do you wash tilapia before baking? Despite what some people believe, food experts actually advise against washing tilapia or meat before cooking.

What temperature does tilapia need to be cooked at? ›

You know that tilapia is done baking when the flesh turns white and begins to easily flake with a fork. If you are still uncertain, insert a thermometer into the thickest part, and if the temperature is at or above 145°, the fish is ready.

What temp is tilapia fully cooked? ›

The internal temperature of fish should reach 145°F for food safety, according to USDA guidelines. If you don't have an instant-read thermometer, check to see that your fish has turned opaque and that it's easily flaked with a fork.

What makes tilapia taste good? ›

Fresh tilapia is good, frozen, depending where it's from can be unappetizing. Try mashed fresh garlic, smoked paprika, olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh lemon, whatever herbs you like, marinade, then cook in butter and olive oil.

What is the white stuff coming out of tilapia? ›

It's called albumin and regardless of how your fish is prepared – broiled, baked or barbecued, this harmless, curd-like substance can appear at any time.

Is tilapia good or bad for you? ›

Tilapia is high in protein, low in calories, and contains many vital nutrients. Some health benefits of tilapia may include protecting your heart and bones and preventing cancer. It can be a healthy addition to most people's diets when sourced well. Henry Ford Health.

How long is cooked tilapia for? ›

Information. Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth. Therefore, it's important to use food within recommended time before it spoils or becomes dangerous.

Can you eat tilapia a little undercooked? ›

Tilapia is generally considered safe to eat when properly cooked, but like any seafood, consuming undercooked or raw tilapia can pose a risk of foodborne illnesses. Just like with other fish, tilapia can potentially carry parasites, bacteria, or viruses that may be harmful if not eliminated through proper cooking.

What is the doneness of tilapia? ›

The cooking time for tilapia depends on the thickness of the fillets or whole fish. As a general guideline, cook tilapia for 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness at a temperature of 350°F (175°C). The fish should be opaque and easily flake with a fork when it is done.

Can you overcook tilapia? ›

When you overcook fish, it can become dry, tough, and lack flavor. Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery.

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