Easy Blackened Tilapia Fish is seasoned with smoky, slightly spicy blackened seasoning and baked into a sheet plan meal with zucchini and carrots or vegetables of your choice. For less heat just take the cayenne red pepper down a bit! Your family will love this healthy, filling meal that is easy to clean-up.
We try to eat seafood at least once a week in my house which means I need a variety of recipes on hand to keep things interesting.
My family tends to eat salmon and different types of white fish the most. Today’s Easy Blackened Tilapia Fish is one we love!
We love this Mediterranean Salmon, Baked Cod with Lemon and Black Sea Bass and make those recipes often. I also like to make this Air Fryer Cod and then add it to these Easy Cod Fish Tacos.
Today’s Easy Blackened Fish recipe is another recipe one I have started making. It has a bit of spice and smokiness in the spice rub which I especially love. You can use this blackened spice mixture on many different types of fish from cod to tilapia to even shrimp.
When I make this blackened fish recipe I like to create this sheet pan meal with carrots and zucchini. You can add any vegetables you have on hand like bell peppers, onion or broccoli. I like the layer of lemon slices to bring some brightness and a bit of sweetness to the fish.
You can also squeeze lemon on top of the fish at the end of baking to help brighten the dish.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Blackened Tilapia Fish
Blackened seafood originates in Cajun cuisine, where the fish is coated in a blackened seasoning. This seasoning is a blend of dry spices, which, once cooked, turn a dark brown. The seasoning chars a little and seals in the flavor of the fish, whilst keeping it moist.
My easy blackened tilapia recipe is the perfect for a busy weeknight and can be cooked and on the table in less than 30 minutes. It makes a healthy dinner option too!
Here are more reasons it’s a must-try dish:
- Easy Preparation: This blackened tilapia recipe is an easy recipe to make. After you make your spice mix and prepare the tilapia you will quickly heat it in a skillet. I also offer an optional pineapple salsa recipe that is optional.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Tilapia not only tastes great, but it’s a lean fish that is high in protein and rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals.
- Versatile Recipe: It’s worth mentioning that the blackened tilapia seasoning would work equally well with other fish, seafood, meat and poultry.
Tilapia is a great fish to cook with. If you like tilapia you also might like cod which is also light and flaky. Try my Easy Blackened Cod Recipe, Baked Cod with Lemon, Pan Fried Garlic Butter Cod, or Sheet Pan Mediterranean Cod recipes
Recipe Ingredients
- Tilapia: I used tilapia in this recipe. It works great with the blackening seasoning and gets nice and flaky and holds the flavor well.
- Vegetables: I added fresh vegetables to the sheet pan. I used zucchini and carrots but you can use a variety of any vegetables including bell peppers, tomatoes or onion.
- Spices: The blackening seasoning spice mixture or creole seasoning I used includes smoked paprika, cayenne red pepper, thyme, garlic powder, cumin, parsley, oregano, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon slices are added to this sheet pan meal and brighten up the fish and pairs nicely with the warm, rich spices.
- Butter: The butter helps create a rich blackened crust. You can sub olive oil instead butter if you want a healthier version.
How do you Make this Blackened Tilapia Fish Recipe?
Step 1: Season the Vegetables: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the carrots, zucchini and garlic in a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, chives and mix well.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables to the Sheet Pan and Roast: Next pour the vegetables mixture onto a sheet pan and place in the oven for 25 minutes.
Step 3: Combine the Seasoning: Melt the butter or set the olive oil in a bowl. In a small bowl combine the spices for blackened seasoning. Use paper towel to pat the fish dry then dredge fish first in the butter or olive oil and then in the cajun seasoning.
Step 4: Sear the Fish: Heat the large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the hot skillet and sear the tilapia filets for 1 minute per side. Remove from the heat.
Step 5: Remove the Vegetables: Remove the vegetables from the oven. Create a bed of lemons on top of the vegetables for the fish. Place the fish on top of the lemons.
Step 6: Finish Baking Fish: Place the sheet pan back in the oven for 10 minutes. Check the fish and remove once it reaches 145 degrees F and the fish flakes. Remove from heat and top with fresh cilantro.
What Type of Fish to Use in this Recipe?
I think the fish fillets that works best with this blackening seasoning is a mild white fish. Many people like to make blackened tilapia, blackened catfish and blackened mahi mahi. I also often see blackened cod which is one of my favorites.
Some other great options are below:
Shrimp: I think shrimp would be a nice option with this spice blend. I would cover the shrimp with olive oil and then toss them in the spice blend before sautéing.
Seafood Options: Some other great seafood options are black sea bass, branzino, flounder, rainbow smelt, red snapper, rainbow trout, Alaska pollock, grouper, haddock, Pacific cod, Pacific halibut, Pacific rockfish and striped bass.
Recipe FAQ
You might be wondering what the difference between these three are. From my experience Cajun tends to be more spicy, Creole includes a blend of herbs and Blackened seasoning tends to fall somewhere in between.
When you see the term “blackened” on a recipe, it is referring to the Cajun cooking term to add a blackened seasoning to food, such as fish, seafood, meat or poultry. The term blackened does not mean burnt, although the seasoning will take on a dark color once cooked.
I used carrots and zucchini but you also could use bell peppers, celery, white or red onion, tomatoes, green beans, broccoli and cauliflower.
If you eat blackened seafood often you might notice that the blend of spices depends on the chef that is making the food. The seasoning I created uses the following: smoked paprika, cayenne red pepper, garlic powder, cumin, parsley, thyme, oregano, onion powder, sea salt and black pepper.
Leftover Ideas
If you’re lucky enough to have leftover fish this blackened tilapia can be used in other dishes.
- Blackened Tilapia Tacos: The blackened tilapia can be used in tacos, served with some guacamole, crispy lettuce and a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce.
- Blackened Tilapia Wraps: Spread hummus or tzatziki on a whole-grain wrap, add the leftover tilapia and salsa, and pile on some fresh veggies like spinach, red onions, and shredded carrots.
- Salad: Flake the tilapia over a bed of greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette. Add a handful of chickpeas or some croutons for extra texture.
Storage Tips
Store cooked tilapia in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Warm leftovers in a 275°F oven for about 15 minutes to prevent drying out.
To freeze, wrap cooled fish in parchment or wax paper, place in a ziplock bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Other Seafood Recipes to Try:
- Black Sea Bass Recipe
- Mediterranean Baked Tilapia
- Pan Fried Garlic Butter Cod
- Air Fryer Cod
- The Best Baked Mediterranean Salmon
- Easy Pan Fried Fish
This tilapia recipe is a delicious, customizable, and nutrient-packed recipe that’s perfect for weekday lunches, family dinners, or gatherings with friends. Give it a try and make it your own by pairing it with a variety of vegetables or adding potatoes. Enjoy the Cajun-inspired goodness in every bite!
If you try it, please leave me a star rating and comment below, and follow me on Instagram @acedarspoon for more delicious recipes!
Easy Blackened Tilapia Fish
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia filets
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
- 5 carrot sticks
- 1 zucchini,, chopped into rounds
- 3 tablespoons olive oil,, divided
- 3 cloves garlic,, minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon chives
- 1 lemon,, cut into quarters or slices
For the Blackened Seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne red pepper {less for less spice}
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400*.
- Place the carrots, zucchini and minced garlic in a medium mixing bowl. Add 2 Tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and chives.Mix to combine.
- Pour the vegetable mixture onto a sheet pan and place in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Melt the butter or put the olive oil in a shallow dish.
- Combine spices for blackened seasoning and dredge fish first in the butter or olive oil and then in seasoning.
- Heat a skillet on the stove on medium high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and sear fish 1 minute per side. Remove from heat.
- Remove veggies from the oven. Create a bed of lemons on top of the veggies for the fish. Place fish on top of lemons.
- Place the sheet pan back into the oven for 10 minutes. Check the fish and remove once it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Remove from heat and top with fresh cilantro.
- Enjoy!
