Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    30 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    680 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    South American

Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

Full-flavored and easy to prepare, this zesty tortilla chip-breaded fish is brightened with Cherry Tomato Pico de Gallo and Cilantro-Lime Sauce for a festive dinner. 

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Ingredients

Servings

Tilapia

  • 4 tilapia fillets (6 ounces each)
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 -1/2 cups finely-crushed corn tortilla chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (depending on how spicy you like your fish)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon cool water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil , divided (for pan-frying) OR
  • vegetable or canola oil spray , for air frying or baking
  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Cherry Tomato Pico de Gallo

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved if small and quartered, if large
  • 1/4 cup chopped yellow onions
  • 1 small Jalapeno pepper , finely chopped (seeds removed for mild)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 -1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper , to taste

To Serve

  • 1/2 recipe cilantro lime sauce
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Instructions

Prep the Tilapia

  1. Prepare 3 dishes suitable for breading. Place the flour in the first. In the second, whisk together eggs and water. In the third, mix together crushed tortilla chips, paprika, cayenne, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season crumbs to taste with salt (this will depend on how salty your chips are).
  2. Season tilapia fillets with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off, and then into the seasoned chips, pressing to adhere the crumbs.

To Pan Fry

  1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, warm 1/4 cup oil until shimmering (enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan). Add 2 breaded fillets to the pan and cook until fish is cooked through and breading is golden, about 4-5 minutes per side. (Cooking time will vary by the thickness of your fillets. The USDA recommends an internal cooking temperature of 145 degrees F for fish, or until opaque.)
  2. Remove from pan and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. I like to sprinkle the fillets with a pinch of kosher salt when they're hot out of the oil.
  3. Carefully drain the oil to a heat-proof container and clean the pan with a paper towel. Repeat the frying process with remaining 1/4 cup oil and fillets.

To Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly oil it. Place the breaded tilapia in a single layer and spray the tops with vegetable oil. (I use an oil mister.)
  2. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping once, until the thickest part of the fillets register 145 degrees F and the fish flakes easily.

To Air Fry

  1. Spray breaded fillets on each side with vegetable oil. Air fry in single-layer batches at 400 degrees F, until the thickest part of the fillets register 145 degrees F and the breading is lightly-browned (about 10-12 minutes total).
  2. Cooking times will vary by air fryer brand – keep a close eye on your first batch to determine the correct cooking time for the model you're using.

Make the Cherry Tomato Pico de Gallo

  1. In a bowl, mix together cherry tomatoes, onions, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve

  1. To serve, top each tilapia fillet with a scoop of the Cherry Tomato Pico de Gallo and a drizzle of the Cilantro-Lime Sauce. The Pico de Gallo and Sauce can be made ahead, but the tilapia is best served immediately.

Notes

  • *To easily crush tortilla chips, place in a zip-top storage bag and crush with a rolling pin, or pulse them in a food processor. For best results, they should be finely-crushed, but not powdery. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 680kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 43g (66%) Saturated Fat 19g (95%) Cholesterol 187mg (62%) Sodium 368mg (15%) Potassium 772mg (22%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 1015IU (20%) Vitamin C 26.4mg (29%) Calcium 69mg (7%) Iron 3.3mg (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 680 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 680kcal 34%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 43g 66%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Cholesterol 187mg 62%
Sodium 368mg 15%
Potassium 772mg 16%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 1015IU 20%
Vitamin C 26.4mg 29%
Calcium 69mg 7%
Iron 3.3mg 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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