So you, too, love the taste of tilapia, but you hate how long it takes to cook? I feel you. That’s why today, I’m going to show you how to cook frozen tilapia the easy way.
I will cover the basics of frozen tilapia to how to cook it perfectly every time. Let’s get started!
The Best Ways To Cook Frozen Tilapia
Did you know that you only need three ingredients and ten minutes to cook a delicious and nutritious meal with frozen tilapia? All you need is one package of tilapia, salt, and black pepper.
If deciding on which brand of frozen fish to get stresses you out, have no fear! I will recommend my absolute favorite frozen tilapia, Marine Harvest Fresh Tilapia Fillets. This frozen fish is delicious and easy to cook. Plus, they are farm raised and have no antibiotics or hormones.
Moreover, this recipe takes hardly any time or effort, making it perfect for busy weekday nights!
So now that you know what you need, let’s get cooking!
Different Ways Of Cooking Frozen Tilapia
You can cook tilapia frozen in the oven, on the stovetop, or in an air fryer. It is really versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways.
The most important thing to remember when cooking frozen tilapia is to thaw it first. You can do this by placing the frozen tilapia in cold water for a few minutes before cooking.
How To Properly Thaw Frozen Tilapia?
My most effortless way to thaw frozen tilapia is to leave it in the fridge until it’s completely thawed. This usually takes about 12 hours.
If you’re in a hurry and need to cook the tilapia quickly, remove it from its packaging, place it on a plate, then run cool water over it. This will thaw the fish within 30 minutes to an hour.
Once the tilapia is thawed, you can cook it however you like. I personally love to fry it or bake it.
Read More: Best Frozen Tilapia To Try + My 5 Secret Tilapia Recipes!
How To Cook Frozen Tilapia In The Oven?
If you’re looking for an easy and effortless way to cook tilapia frozen, cooking it in the oven is the way to go.
You hardly need some garlic cloves, extra-virgin olive oil, and lemon juice.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a tiny mixing dish, combine the garlic cloves, extra-virgin olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Now place the frozen tilapia fillets in a casserole dish and pour over the lemon juice mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until easily flakeable with a fork, adding additional salt if necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley now.
Your delicious and healthy tilapia meal is now ready to be served!
How To Cook Frozen Tilapia On The Stovetop?
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook tilapia frozen, cooking it on the stovetop is the way to go. All you need is a non-stick skillet, some olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Here’s what you need to do:
- First, heat up your skillet over medium heat and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Soak the fillets in warm water for about five minutes until the pan is preheated. This will help remove the ice layer and also help in even cooking.
- Now, remove the tilapia from the water and season both sides of each fillet with salt and black pepper.
- Place the frozen tilapia fillets in the skillet and cook for three minutes until golden brown.
- Flip over and cook for three minutes on the other side until golden brown.
You can now serve it with your favorite side dish!
Read More: How To Cook Frozen Cod – So It Tastes Like Fresh Fish?
How To Cook Frozen Tilapia In An Air Fryer?
If you don’t want to use the oven or the stovetop, you can also cook tilapia frozen in an air fryer. This is my personal favorite way to cook it because it’s so quick and easy.
All you need is an air fryer, some cooking oil spray, and some sea salt.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Start by spraying your air fryer baskets with cooking oil spray. If you’re using frozen filets, you may need to separate them if they are not wrapped individually carefully.
- Place the tilapia filets in the air fryer baskets, spraying them lightly with more cooking oil spray. Season both sides of the fillets with sea salt.
- Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes, flipping the filets over halfway through.
Your favorite seafood dish is now ready to be served! Enjoy!
What To Serve With Tilapia Frozen?
There are so many delicious things you can serve with tilapia. Some of my personal favorites include roasted vegetables, quinoa, and roasted potatoes.
Here’s my list of favorite things to serve with tilapia:
- Green beans
- Cauliflower rice
- Salad
- Fruit salad
- Grilled vegetables
- Brown rice
- Steamed broccoli.
- Baked sweet potato
- Pesto
- Stuffed mushrooms
- The possibilities are endless!
FAQs – About Frozen Tilapia
Is frozen tilapia healthy?
Yes, frozen tilapia is a healthy seafood option. It’s low in calories and fat, and it’s a good source of protein. Frozen tilapia is also an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
Can I cook frozen tilapia without thawing it first?
Yes, you can cook tilapia frozen without thawing it first. However, I recommend thawing it for the best results. Thawing the tilapia will help it cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out. In addition, thawing else reduces the cooking time!
How do I know when frozen tilapia is done cooking?
You’ll know frozen tilapia is done cooking when it’s opaque in color and easily flakes apart with a fork. You should also see some juices running clear.
Do I need to cook frozen tilapia all the way through?
Yes, you should cook frozen tilapia all the way through. Undercooked seafood can be dangerous and cause food poisoning. In addition, the taste and texture of undercooked seafood are not very pleasant.
Cook Your Best Frozen Tilapia!
Now that you know how to cook frozen tilapia, it’s time to get cooking! Whether you choose to cook it on the stovetop, in the oven, or in an air fryer, you’re sure to end up with a delicious and healthy meal. Serve it with your favorite side dishes, and enjoy!
Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it went by leaving a comment below! Happy cooking!
I’m Rachel, and I love food. I especially love writing about food – reviewing different brands and items, and sharing my thoughts on new frozen foods that hit the market.
Food is a huge part of my life, and I love trying new things. That’s why I’m so excited to be working on my blog Pickfrozenfood.com. I will be always innovating and coming out with new review, and I know that I’ll be able to try lots of great food with them.
