Published: · Modified: by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
CRISPY Baked Tilapia Tacos recipe begins with crispy baked panko crusted tilapia that is seasoned with a flavorful blend of Mexican spices and then drizzled with the BEST sauce for fish tacos that sure is revolutionary!
Jump to Recipe
Today, we are talking tacos.
More precisely, Fish tacos. Not just any fish tacos.
The BEST Baked Tilapia Tacos that is made of
- Crispy baked tilapia fish coated with a spicy mixture and then dredged in panko bread crumbs
- 2-ingredient sauce that is not your traditional fish taco sauce
- Shredded cabbage, red onion, cilantro and jalapeños tossed with the same fish taco sauce
- Sliced avocado
- Charred corn tortilla
- Cilantro
- Jalapeños
Drizzle sauce all over the baked panko fish fish tacos and THEN, some more sauce.
Team Players :
- CRISPY BAKED PANKO CRUSTED FISH
The secret in making the golden, crispy baked fish lies in toasting the breadcrumbs. A regular coating of breadcrumbs doesn’t necessarily develop a golden color but also results in uneven brown and white crumby look. So, panko is first toasted in a skillet with some oil, until golden and crisp. The fish pieces are then coated with this crumb, making them crispier and more browned when baked!!!
Instead of adopting a regular breading method of flour-egg mixture-bread crumb, I’ve come up with a much easier one which involves tossing the fish in a batter and then coating them with breadcrumbs. The crumbs stay intact and forms a lovely crust on the outside.
2. REVOLUTIONARY fish taco sauce.
Traditional sauce for fish tacos are generally made with sour cream, mayo, lime juice, hot sauce and spices.
But, we take a very different approach!!
Drum rule please..... The two ingredients are store bought salsa and mayonnaise!!!
Just whisk salsa, mayonnaise and a pinch of salt to make the most amazing fish taco sauce.
So simple.....So easy.....D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S
3. Slaw for fish tacos:
Just your traditional slaw ingredients - cabbage, red onion, cilantro and jalapeños. All tossed with that delicious fish taco sauce.
You may use a bag of coleslawmix instead.
Purple cabbage (mixed in along with the green) will also add lovely color.
Assemble
Step-1: Char corn tortillas over open flame or on a hot cast iron skillet. '
Step-2: Place some slaw
Step-3: Top with crispy baked panko crusted Tilapia
Step-4: Drizzle fish taco sauce
Step-5: Top with avocado, more jalapeños and cilantro
Step-6: More sauce
E-A-T
You are welcome.
How to make it spicier?
You may adopt one or all of the following steps to amp up the spiciness:
- Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper along with egg/cornstarch batter
- Choose a spicy salsa
- Add more chopped or grated jalapeños into the slaw
- Load up on sliced jalapeños to finish
What to serve with fish tacos?
Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans and Corn
Mexican salad
Chips and Guac
Ice cold margarita
Variations:
Make baked panko Tilapia fish tacos gluten free - Use gluten free panko bread crumbs and gluten free tortillas
Try a different type of fish like cod or snapper.
This air fried tilapia is also a great alternative instead of the oven baked tilapia.
Try green and red cabbage
What kind of fish do you use for fish tacos?
Any mild, white-fleshed fish is good for fish tacos - like Tilapia, Cod, Halibut, snapper or Mahi Mahi.
What are the spices for fish tacos?
Chili powder, Cumin powder, Garlic powder, Black pepper powder and Paprika.
Topping for fish tacos?
Fish taco topping options are avocado, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, lettuce, jalapeños, cabbage, chopped cilantro, lime juice and Cotija / Queso Fresco cheeses
Crispy Baked Fish Tacos with an amazing 2-ingredient Fish Taco Sauce
These baked fish tacos recipe begins with crispy, baked panko crusted fish that is seasoned with a flavorful blend of Mexican spices and then drizzled with the BEST sauce for fish tacos that sure is revolutionary! Creamy ripe avocado, crunchy cabbage, red onion, cilantro and a load of jalapeño slices on charred corn tortillas complete the dish. Then, drizzle more fish taco sauce. It is SO GOOD!!!!
4.8 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 tacos
Calories: 490kcal
Author: Maria Doss
Ingredients
Fish
- 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large tilapia fillets, each fillet cut into 2 to 4 pieces
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon each salt, chili powder, paprika and garlic powder
Fish Taco Sauce
- 1 and ½ cup store bought salsa
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 pinches salt
Slaw for Fish Tacos
- 4 cups finely shredded cabbage
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ jalapeños, sliced (optional)
Addional ingredients, to serve
- 6 corn tortillas
- 2 ripe avocado, sliced
- addional sliced jalapenos
- addional chopped cilantro
- lime wedges
- Cotija cheese or queso fresco
Instructions
Bake fish
Toast breadcrumbsAdd vegetable oil and panko breadcrumbs into a skillet placed over med-high heat and stir continuously until breadcrumbs become deep golden ( stirring continuously will ensure that the breadcrumbs toast evenly). 2. Transfer into a shallow plate and cool to room temperature.
Make batter
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Whisk egg, cornstarch and all spices ( chili, garlic, paprika and salt ) in a shallow dish, until thoroughly combined.
3. Add fish and toss to coat on all sides.
Transfer each piece of fish into the toasted breadcrumbs,gently press it on so that the fish is coated on all sides.Place fish on the greased cookie sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining fish.
Bake for 11-14 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer cookie sheet to a wire rack to cool slightly.Serve with
Sauce - Whisk together salsa, mayonnaise and salt until smooth. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Slaw - Toss cabbage, cilantro, onion, jalapeño slices and some fish taco sauce together in a large bowl ( Make sure that there is enough sauce to coat well).
Assemble
Char tortillas - Toast the corn tortillas on a large dry skillet over medium/high heat or hold them over flame, to char on both sides. (Place tortillas wrapped in a clean dish towel to keep warm).
To serve - Place some slaw on a tortilla, top with some fish (break up pieces to fit), sauce, avocado slices, cilantro, jalapeños and more sauce.
It is all about the sauce!
Notes
Fish - We used tilapia but you are welcome to use any white fish.
Freeze baked panko crusted fish - Bake fish and let cool completely. Place in a zip lock bag, seal well and freeze.To reheat – Place desired number of fish on a baking sheet, bake in preheated 450 degree F oven for about 15 minutes, until hot and heated through.
How to cut tilapia fillets?I choose to cut into long very thick strips, since
- Perfect size to made into tacos
- More surface area for crispy breadcrumb coating
But, if you don’t want to cut the fillets, then leave it whole and bake following the recipe and then flake into big chunks before making into tacos.
Salsa - Use a salsa that you really love to eat. I used thisthis brand
Slaw - Purple cabbage (mixed in along with the green) will also add lovely color. You may a bag of coleslaw mix instead.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 5.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 766mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 564IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!
Some ofthelinks above are affiliate links, which pay me a smallcommission for my referral at no extra cost to you!I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Thank you for supportingkitchenathoskins.com
All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.
