Spice-Rubbed Tilapia Tostadas that are colorful, healthy, and perfectly spicy. Cooking these up for Tostada Tuesday makes for a fool-proof Mexican lunch or dinner.
Remember that time when I said I probably wouldn’t be posting many seafood recipes anytime soon?
Hah! I should have known better. As if I, Hannah, could keep myself from experimenting in the kitchen and sharing the delicious goodness with you. I said it with good intentions. But, lucky for you, that didn’t exactly pan out.
You see, when I find inspiration or when ideas randomly pop into my head, I have to roll with them. That is exactly what happened following my most recent trip to Des Moines with Jeremy. After I tried and loved the blackened-tilapia fish tacos from Granite City, I wanted to recreate something similar at home.
I did, however, decide to mix things up a bit. Instead of tacos, I went with my other favorite crunchy Mexican dish: tostadas! What’s not to love about tostadas? They essentially taste like hard-shell tacos, but are way easier to eat and way less messy. It’s a win-win.
P.S. In case you aren’t up on the proper tostada eating techniques, don’t bother with a fork. Just pick them up and munch away! It is the only way to eat them and actually get the toppings to stay on.
Spice-Rubbed Tilapia Tostadas
Serves 2 to 3
Ingredients
6 corn tortillas
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 TB paprika
1/2 TB onion powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp ground oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 five ounce boneless and skinless tilapia fillets, wild-caught or sustainably farmed
1/2 cup spicy red pepper hummus
shredded lettuce
chopped red onion, diced tomatoes, and/or salsa for topping
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line one large or two medium baking sheets with a silicone baking mat or foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray if using foil. Place corn tortillas onto the baking sheet(s) and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Remove from oven once crispy. Set aside.
2. While the tortillas are baking, rinse tilapia under cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Combine all seasonings to make spice rub. Mix well.
4. Gently pat spice rub onto both sides of tilapia filets, covering them liberally.
5. Place tilapia filets onto medium baking sheet with silicone baking mat or foil that has been generously sprayed with olive oil cooking spray.
6. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Place oven on low broil and broil for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, or until fish becomes flaky and pulls apart easily with a fork. Cut cooked tilapia into one-inch pieces.
7. Compile tostadas in the following order: corn tortilla, spicy hummus, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, spice-rubbed tilapia pieces, and salsa.
For my first time ever cooking tilapia, I was pretty darn ecstatic with the results. I totally winged it on the oven temperature and cooking time. But the fish-cooking gods must have been looking out for me because the tilapia was perfectly flaky and crispy… oh, and deliciously spicy!
I am quite certain that the spice-rubbed tilapia tastes delicious enough to be served on its own or with a Mexican-themed side dish. However, the crunchy tortilla, creamy hummus, and fresh veggies make it taste even better. Don’t skimp on the tostada-ness of this dish.
I have taken seafood to a whole new level. A spicy, colorful, healthy, and flavorful level. And now that I have only ever eaten tilapia in taco and tostada form, I imagine that I will always associate it with Mexican food. There is no shame in that!
These babies are proof that it pays off to experiment in the kitchen. Now go challenge yourself and cook something that intimidates you! Oh, and make these tostadas while you’re at it. There is no need to be intimidated with this one!
What meals have you prepared after finding inspiration at a restaurant? How did they turn out?
What food or recipe intimidates you? I say give it a try!
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YES yes yes thrice yes. I make my own spice blends, and this is very similar to one that I often use for fish tacos. Mmmmmm reminds me of summer!
Isn’t it delicious? Apparently I love “spicy” fish! I’ll have to use this in tacos next!
Well look at that! It’s perfect for mu homemade hummus!
Ahh, so perfect!! Next time I need to break out my food processor and make my own for these… if I’m not feeling super lazy like last time 😉
Mmm. I actually like Tilapia- it’s the only fish I like. These look really good. I mean, combing Mexican with anything is genius!
Mexican makes everything taste good, right? 😉 You should definitely give these a try if you are a tilapia lover!
These are so PRETTY! I love that you’re posting fish options – I NEED to prepare more fish for our family, and I know once I get more familiar with it, it will become easier. Tilapia seems like a good “starter fish” (is that a thing?)
Yes! Tilapia is super duper easy to make. And no cutting off the skin, which is a plus!! 🙂
That spice rub looks fantastic, Hannah. Every time I try something like this for my husband with his fish, it inevitably flakes off. I want to try this for him when we move apartments this weekend. It’s been 4 months since we looked at the place, and I think it has an oven in it, keep your fingers crossed for us! It’s hard to get an oven in Chiang Mai!
Wow, I would be lost without my oven! I hope you luck out!
Thanks! I am Catholic, so I’m always looking for fish recipes this time of year!
It is about that time of year, isn’t it? These would be perfect!
Mmm! What is it about fish and Mexican style recipes that goes so well?
I have no clue, but I have been LOVING it lately!! 🙂
Great recipe! Just pinned it!
Thanks so much, Trisha! 🙂
Looks amazing. I’m saving this for later!
Thanks, Emilie! I hope you give them a try and that you love them as much as I do 🙂
Girl you make me want to eat tilapia! haha
You should most definitely do it! It’s just as easy (if not easier) to cook as salmon!
This looks delicious! I’m so, so hungry right now but out of tilapia and also snowed in! Nooooo! :'( Will pin for later!
That darn snow!! Always getting in the way of good food. BOO! 🙁
That looks so good! I like making homemade guac! So easy and tasteful!
Homemade guac would be amazing on these! Good idea 🙂
I was wondering what the sauce was at the bottom…HUMMUS! What a smart idea!
Hummus is one of the BEST cheese replacers when it comes to Mexican food. You definitely need to give it a try!
i love seeing more fish recipes from you! and these are on my list! YUM
Me too!! It’s still weird to be posting them, but my stomach is sure happy getting to eat them 😉
I love tostadas!! They are a great way to switch things up from tacos… even though I’d probably never get sick of either of them. The seasoning for the tilapia sounds delicious!
Tacos and tostadas are definitely one of those foods that I never get tired of. Enchiladas, too! I guess just Mexican food in general 😉
This looks SO good!! I would love to try this right now!
Thank you! I hope you take the time to make them and try ’em out for yourself! 🙂
These look good. I actually really like tilapia. It’s been forever since I’ve had it. I got some alaskan cod at trader joe’s the other day, which my husband is actually cooking now- and for some reason it reminded me of one of your recent seafood/fish posts- and now I see this! Ha! Guess I’m really craving some fish or something!
Crazy how that works, huh? How was the cod? I’ve never tried it, so I’m curious to hear more!
It was good! Fried in coconut oil. So many different ways to make it though- I think it would be good in tacos actually!
Thanks for the heads up! Maybe that will be the new fish that I’ll have to try next!
I need to make more fish. Fish tostadas would be a guaranteed way my family would gobble up the fish.
I honestly think that any time you put the Mexican spin on fish, it turns out good. I hope you give these a try. The tilapia would also be awesome in tacos!
This looks soooo good! I used to eat tilapia quite a bit but I was really lazy with it and just seasoned it with lemon and pepper. That got old really fast! You’ve inspired me to try it again 😀
I definitely hope you give this a try Ariana! The spice rub is so easy to throw together in about 2 minutes flat. I try to keep my fish recipes pretty simple since I am still so new to cooking with fish. If I can do it, anybody can 🙂
These look so good! Love the idea!! I make fish usually once maybe twice per week. Gonna try these again soon when I stock up on seafood. Gotta love Lent for all the fish and seafood sales!
I know, right?? I am so excited to finally find some cheaper seafood. My credit card will be very happy about it 🙂