Oats Free Blackened Tilapia
Smoky, spicy, and deeply charred on the outside with tender, flaky fish underneath — this cast-iron tilapia is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels way more impressive than the effort involved. The blackening spice blend comes together from pantry staples like smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, and dried herbs, so there's no mystery seasoning packet required. That matters more than you might think, since pre-mixed spice blends and seasoning packets can sometimes sneak in unexpected fillers or grain-based anti-caking agents. Here, every ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify. Garlic-infused oil and a knob of butter give the crust incredible richness, while the screaming-hot cast-iron skillet does the real work — creating that signature blackened crust in just a few minutes per side. A squeeze of lemon and a scatter of scallion greens at the end brighten everything up without complicating the dish. It's bold, satisfying, and completely free of anything grain-based from start to finish.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
For the blackening spice
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
For serving
- 2 scallions, green tops only, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the tilapia fillets completely dry with paper towels.
- 2
In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Stir until evenly mixed.
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