Blackened Tilapia

Name: Blackened Tilapia
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 16 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 tilapia fillets (5 to 6 oz each); 1 tbsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp vegetable oil

4 servings8 min prep8 min cookEasy

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Blackened Tilapia

Story updated September 18, 2026

Blackened tilapia applies Paul Prudhomme's early-1980s Cajun blackening technique, originally developed for Louisiana redfish, to the now widely available farmed tilapia, reflecting how the method spread across many kinds of fish in American cooking.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

4 tilapia fillets (5 to 6 oz each)
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1Combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne, and salt in a small bowl.
2Pat the tilapia fillets dry and coat both sides evenly with the spice mixture.
3Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
4Cook the fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until a dark crust forms and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5Serve immediately while hot.

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