Homemade Fried Tilapia

Hungry for a Friday night fish fry but don't want to pay restaurant prices? My homemade fried tilapia recipe is crispy, crunchy, and utterly delicious.

This breaded fried tilapia recipe is sure to become a staple in your monthly menu rotation so make plenty, and then host your own all-you-can-eat Friday night fish fry at home!

Your family and friends will thank you!!

Jump to:

• The ingredient list:
• Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
• Why is it important to use a light-colored oil when frying?
• Besides peanut oil what are other good oil options for pan-frying?
• Why this fish fry recipe works:
• Tips and tricks for making the most flavorful deep-fried fish:
• Why buttermilk in for a fried fish recipe?
• What do I do with the oil after frying the fish?
• All-You-Can-Eat fish fry!
• How long to fry tilapia?
• Can this breading and frying technique be used for other types of fish fillets?
• How to reheat fried tilapia so it's still crunchy?
• Can pre-cooked fried tilapia be frozen?
• For other delicious seafood recipes:
• The directions for pan-frying tilapia:
• Additional fried food recipes for you:
• Printable Recipe Card

The ingredient list:

**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience.

• light-colored oil (I used peanut)
• fresh tilapia fillets
• buttermilk
• panko crumbs
• seasoned bread crumbs
• cornflake crumbs
• fresh lemon zest
• cayenne pepper
• old bay seafood seasoning
• garlic powder
• salt and pepper

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• frying thermometer
• high sided frying pan
• slotted spoon
• fish turner
• a large container or bowl for marinating fish
• shallow breading bowls or containers
• baking sheet with rack
• measuring cups and spoons
• lemon zester
• parchment paper

Why is it important to use a light-colored oil when frying?

The reason for using a light-colored oil for trying is because it has a lower smoke point than a darker oil.

Since you'll be frying your fish fillets at a temperature of 375-degrees, a light-colored oil is a better, safer, and healthier choice.

Besides peanut oil what are other good oil options for pan-frying?

• Grapeseed Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Canola Oil
• Vegetable Oil

Why this fish fry recipe works:

Every time I make this tilapia fish fry, it gets rave reviews from family and friends.

I've made this recipe several times for one friend in particular who says my pan-fried tilapia is one of the best-fried fish recipes she's ever eaten! Restaurants included!!

While I'm not 100% sure she's telling me the truth, I'm also not 100% sure she's not! LOL!

I guess I'll have to take her word on it, and bask in the compliment. And now you can too!! 😉

Tips and tricks for making the most flavorful deep-fried fish:

• The key to making this flavorful deep-fried fish recipe tender and flaky is marinating the fish fillets in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before breading.
• After that, the key to keep the breading ON the fish while it's frying is to refrigerate the breaded fillets at least 30 minutes before frying.
• My final secret (not so secret) for keeping the breading extra crispy and crunchy is to mix panko, breadcrumbs, and cornflake crumbs. This combination of ingredients, along with the simple preparation steps ensures your fried fish will win YOU rave reviews from your family and friends, just as it does for me!

Why buttermilk in for a fried fish recipe?

The buttermilk marinade will give the fried tilapia a slight yet delicious tang of flavor.

It will also help to keep the fish moist and flaky during the frying process.

What do I do with the oil after frying the fish?

After the oil has completely cooled down, carefully funnel it back into its original container and save the oil for another few fryings.

That said, DO NOT use the same oil for frying fish to fry sweet items like donuts. Make sure you mark the oil properly so you'll know which is for sweet, and which is for savory frying.

Once a frying oil has been used to 3 - 4 times, it's time to funnel it back into its original container (for easy disposal) and discard of properly.

All-You-Can-Eat fish fry!

When I make my fried tilapia, I make enough to feed a small army.

I love having leftovers for the next day, or for my husband to take to work.

How long to fry tilapia?

Because it's a thinner fillet, it only takes approximately 2-3 minutes per side to perfectly fry tilapia.

When frying a thicker fish, say cod or haddock, it will take a few additional minutes to ensure the fillet is cooked through to the center.

Can this breading and frying technique be used for other types of fish fillets?

Yes!

However, if using a thicker fillet (as mentioned above), the frying time will be slightly longer.

How to reheat fried tilapia so it's still crunchy?

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

Place the pre-cooked fried tilapia on a baking sheet that has been fitted with a rack, and reheat the fillets for 7-10 minutes.

Can pre-cooked fried tilapia be frozen?

Yes!

To freeze, cool the fried fillets completely before wrapping each separately in parchment paper and then plastic wrap.

Freeze the fried tilapia fillets for up to 2 months.

To reheat, unwrap the frozen fillets and place them on a baking sheet that has been fitted with a rack.

Bake them in a preheated 425-degree oven for 15-17 minutes.

For other delicious seafood recipes:

*Sweet Corn Risotto with Shrimp (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

Creamy New England Sweet Corn Risotto with Shrimp is a great way to use up the last of summer’s bounty of sweet corn. It’s a creamy and delicious seafood main course that can be on the dinner table in approximately 30 minutes."

*Grilled Bacon Wrapped Tilapia from Fearless Dining

*Baked Salmon Salad Spread (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

Baked Salmon Salad is so versatile you can use it as an appetizer spread with crackers or you can use it as a spread for sandwiches.

*Thai Coconut Noodles with Pan Seared Tilapia from Life Currents

*Coconut Crusted Tuna Steak (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen.

This Pan-Seared Seared Coconut Crusted Tuna Steak was inspired by coconut shrimp dish I recently had while out to dinner.I’ve paired it with a dipping sauce of orange juice and hoisin, which is the perfect complement to the mild sweetness of the crunchy toasted coconut crust.

*Miso Glazed Tilapia with Roasted Bok Choy from Sidewalk Shoes

*Homemade Pan-Fried Tilapia (pictured below) You are here!!

The directions for pan-frying tilapia:

• Place the fish fillets in a dish.
• Pour buttermilk over the fillets and place them in the refrigerator for at least 60 minutes, but no longer than 90 minutes.
• In a large shallow dish, combine panko crumbs, cornflake crumbs, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay seafood seasoning.

• Add fresh lemon zest to the breadcrumbs and stir well to combine.
• After the fish has marinated at least 30 minutes, remove it from the refrigerator.
• Allow the excess marinade to drip off each fillet, and press each fillet firmly into the breadcrumb and panko mixture.
• Flip the fillet and press the crumbs firmly onto the opposite side of each fillet.

• Place all the crumb-coated fish on a baking sheet and return to the refrigerator to chill for an additional 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large, high sided skillet, heat a light-colored oil to 375 degrees (I used a canola/peanut oil blend).
• *NOTE - For SAFETY, NEVER fill a pan with HOT OIL more than halfway full, as the oil will bubble and expand once the food is added. 
• Gently and carefully slip 2 - 3 cold, breaded fillets into the hot oil.
• Fry each fillet for 2-3 minutes each side until golden and crispy.
• Carefully remove the fillets from the oil with a slotted spatula and place the fried fish on a baking sheet fitted with a rack.
• Immediately season the fried fillets generously with salt.
• Continue frying the remainder of the breaded tilapia fillets, keeping the already fried fillets warm in a preheated 300-degree oven, if needed. 

Additional fried food recipes for you:

Homemade Glazed Apple Cider Donuts are every bit as good as what you get at an apple orchard or bakery, except that you make them fresh at home!

Even if you're not a huge mushroom fan, I'll bet you're going to flip over these Beer Batter Fried Mushrooms!

Chicken and waffles get a picnic-ready upgrade with this recipe for Waffle Batter Fried Chicken! Now you can pack up this classic treat, and easily take it wherever you want to go.

In celebration of Mardi Gras and dressed in green, gold, and purple sanding sugar these pillowy soft and perfectly Fried Homemade Beignets are ready to party!

⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂

Printable Recipe Card

I hope you've enjoyed today's homemade fried tilapia recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!