Baked Tilapia Recipe with Pecan Rosemary Topping - 30 Minute Meal (2024)

Published: Oct 26, 2017 · Modified: Jun 9, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 37 Comments

This baked tilapia recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. I dare you not to snack on the pecan rosemary topping while you're putting it all together! 222 calories and 4 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Baked Tilapia Recipe with Pecan Rosemary Topping

This baked tilapia recipe is directly inspired by one of my favorite Manhattan meals. It's a testament to how my brain works that 95% of my memories of living in New York City revolve around food. One of our favorite haunts was Union Square. From the Smiling Pumpkin Ale at Heartland Brewery to the abundance of fresh, local vegetables at the Greenmarket, it had a "food lovers" vibe about it. Just a couple of skips away from the square is the Union Square Cafe, a New York City institution of the restaurant scene.

My husband and I enjoyed a couple of wonderful meals at the Union Square Cafe, but the real reason I'm telling you all of this is to get to one of the most modest dishes...well, snacks...served at the restaurant. The bar nuts. They narrowly edge out my crave-worthy Curry Spiced Nuts.

These little nuggets are more flavorful than any roasted nuts I've ever come across, and they have become a family favorite. Tossed with olive oil, fresh rosemary, brown or coconut palm sugar and cayenne, these nuts are the perfect partner for a martini or a beer.

When I pulled some tilapia fillets out of the fridge the other day, I was poised to make my usual Baked Tilapia with Pesto recipe (a dish that surprisingly makes my kids cheer when I tell them what's for dinner). However, those bar nuts snuck into my mind and it struck me that those same flavors that make the nuts so crave-worthy would work beautifully as a crust for the tilapia.

This was a hit with all three of my boys, big and little. And really, you can't beat a flavorful seafood recipes that offers a mere 222 calories per serving, and a good dose of healthy fats.

It may not be the same as a trip back to New York City, but it certainly makes for a satisfying meal.

The baked tilapia recipe:

This healthy baked tilapia recipe comes together in two easy parts.

First, the pecans, panko breadcrumbs, rosemary, coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar), salt, cayenne pepper and olive oil are tossed together and toasted in the oven.

Next, the tilapia fillets are dipped into egg white, then crusted with the pecan rosemary mixture and baked until the tilapia is just cooked through.

Serve this up with a farro salad or toasted brown rice with a side steamed veggies.

Other healthy tilapia recipes:

Roasted Za'atar Tilapia with Pickled Cucumbers

Printable Recipe

This recipe was originally posted on March 13, 2013, and has been updated.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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