Southern Fried Fish is a favorite in my home and my Easy Fried Tilapia is top of the list. It’a made with simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry. In just a few simple steps you can have flavorful, crispy fried fish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Every Time – With a simple flour dredge and seasoning blend, you’ll get that golden, crispy exterior without any complicated steps.
- Quick & Easy – From prep to plate in under 30 minutes, this is perfect for a weeknight dinner for a busy family.
- Crowd Pleasing- – This mild and flaky fish when cooked Southern-style is seasoned to perfection and is a family favorite.
- Budget-Friendly – Tilapia is one of the most affordable fish options, making this dish easy on your wallet but rich in taste.
- Versatile Meal Option – Serve it with fries, coleslaw, rice, or tucked in a sandwich — this fried tilapia fits any meal plan.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor – No fancy ingredients needed. Just pantry staples and fresh fish create a crowd-pleasing dish.
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Ingredients for Easy Fried Tilapia
- Tilapia fillets: Tilapia is an affordable fish that is a mild, flaky and lean protein. It’s great for frying.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Both enhances the natural flavor of the fish and seasons the coating.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic Powder adds a garlic flavor throughout the crispy coating.
- Onion Powder: Onion Powder give the fish a slightly sweet, savory onion flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne Pepper adds a little spice to this delicious, crispy fish.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-Purpose Flour creates a light, crispy coating that adheres well to the fish.
- Canola Oil: Canola Oil is perfect for frying, resulting in a golden-brown and crispy exterior.
Substitutions
Of course for this recipe feel free to substitute the Tilapia for another fish of your choice. Red Snapper, Catfish, Polluck or Cod are a few that works perfectly with this recipe. Also, the seasoning can be adjusted to your preference as well. If you want a little more kick, cajun seasoning could easily do the the trick!
What You Will Need
Watch the Video For Fried Tilapia
Instructions for Fried Tilapia
Step 1: Combine the Seasonings
Clean and thoroughly dry your tilapia fillets. In a small bowl combine the salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
Step 2: Season the Fish
Season both sides of your fish with half of the seasoning blend. Set the seasoned fish aside until later.
Step 3: Season the Flour
Add the remaining seasoning blend to the ½ cup of flour. Mix well to create your seasoned flour.
Step 4: Dredge the Tilapia
Coat each fish fillet evenly in the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess flour and place the coated fish on a wire rack to sit while your oil is heating.
Step 5: Fry the Tilapia
Add your canola oil to your cast iron skillet. Heat your pan over medium heat until the oil reaches temperature (around 350°F / 175°C). Fry the fish for 6–8 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the fish and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite side.
Serving Suggestions
Fried Tilapia pairs beautifully with classic soul food side dishes. For a hearty and comforting plate, serve your crispy tilapia alongside Southern mac and cheese and collard greens with smoked turkey. The creamy, cheesy mac complements the crunchy texture of the fish, while the savory greens add a balanced, soulful bite. Add a slice of cornbread to round out the meal and soak up any flavorful juices — it’s a Southern comfort combo your family will love.
For a lighter but equally satisfying option, try serving your Fried Tilapia with a fresh cucumber salad or black bean salad. These cool, tangy sides help cut through the richness of the fried fish and add a refreshing crunch to every bite. You can also plate it with a scoop of dirty rice or seasoned wild rice for a flavorful, filling meal. And don’t forget a splash of hot sauce or a homemade tartar sauce from the site to bring it all togethe
How to Store Fried Tilapia
To store fried tilapia in the refrigerator, allow the fish to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess oil and moisture. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, use the oven or air fryer at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the fish soggy.
If you want to freeze fried tilapia, first let it cool completely. Then wrap each fillet individually in parchment or wax paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Fried tilapia can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat from frozen, bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating. For best texture, avoid thawing before reheating — reheating from frozen helps maintain the crispiness.
Try These Other Great Southern & Soul Food Recipes
The best oils for frying tilapia are those with high smoke points, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. These oils can handle high heat without burning and help create that golden, crispy crust.
To keep fried tilapia crispy, place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet instead of a paper towel-lined plate. This allows air to circulate and prevents the bottom from getting soggy. You can also keep it warm in a 200°F oven while frying additional batches.
Yes, you can season the tilapia up to a few hours in advance. Just be sure to store it covered in the refrigerator. For best results, coat it in flour or cornmeal just before frying to maintain crispiness.
Fried Tilapia Recipe
4
servings10
minutes20
minutesIngredients
1 lb tilapia fillets
2½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
Canola oil (for frying)
Directions
- Clean and thoroughly dry your fish fillets. In a small bowl combine the salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
- Season both sides of the fillets with half of your seasoning blend.
- Set the seasoned fish aside.
- Add the remaining seasoning blend to the ½ cup of flour.
- Mix well to create your seasoned flour.
- Coat each fish fillet evenly in the seasoned flour.
- Shake off any excess flour and place the coated fish on a wire rack.
- Pour canola oil into a cast iron skillet (enough to shallow fry).
- Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches temperature (around 350°F / 175°C).
- Fry the fish for 6–8 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the fish and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides like coleslaw, fries, or cornbread.
