If you’re looking for a fast and flavorful way to enjoy fish, this grilled bacon-wrapped tilapia is a great option. The smoky, crispy bacon locks in the juices and keeps the fish tender for a dinner that’s rich in flavor and ready in under 20 minutes. It’s simple enough for a weeknight and tasty enough to win over even the pickiest eaters.
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If you love this bacon-wrapped tilapia recipe, here are 50+ delicious gluten free seafood recipes for more recipe inspiration. I have so many easy, delicious gluten-free budget recipes on my blog because gluten-free can be expensive. Kids also love this Gluten-Free Cod Fettuccine Alfredo.
A Note From My Kitchen
I’ve tested this grilled tilapia with bacon recipe using both aluminum foil and a grill basket. The basket makes a big difference! It helps the bacon get crisp while keeping the fish from falling apart. If you were on the fence about whether to buy a grill basket, I absolutely love mine, and I use it all summer long.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Tilapia – Although this recipe features tilapia, you can make any bacon-wrapped fish. This is also tasty with salmon!
- Bacon – Use regular or turkey bacon to wrap the fish. Read the ingredients of the bacon you buy to ensure that no gluten-containing ingredients are used in the seasoning.
- Cooking Oil – Use canola or avocado oil. These oils work well with high heat.
How to Grill Bacon-Wrapped Tilapia (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Be sure your tilapia is thawed. Most tilapia is sold frozen, so it’s important to thaw it before grilling. You can thaw tilapia by letting it sit in the refrigerator for a day or two or let the package soak in room temperature water for an hour.
Step 2: Unwrap the tilapia and pat it dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper, then wrap a piece of bacon around it. Preheat the grill to 400º F.
Step 3: Gently place the bacon-wrapped fish in a grill basket. This grill basket has made it a lot easier. When I used foil, the bacon didn’t get as crispy as it does with a basket.
Step 4: Grill the bacon wrapped fish with the lid closed. It should take around 10 minutes to cook. You will know the tilapia is cooked when the bacon is crispy and the fish is white and no longer translucent.
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Directions to Bake Tilapia In Foil:
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF.
- For oven baking, wrap your tilapia in bacon as described in the grill directions above. Place the tilapia on foil in a 9×13 baking dish. Fold the foil up around the fish so it catches the dripping. This will make cleaning up so much easier.
- Do not cover the tilapia because you want the oven to brown the bacon. Bake for 12-15 minutes until done. The tilapia should have an internal temperature of 145°F. Serve hot, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
The tilapia should have an internal temperature of 145°F.
You can use different fish. My kids prefer mild white fish best, so any mild fish, like cod, would work well.
The two best ways to grill tilapia are to either use a grill basket or cook the tilapia on foil on the grill.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Grilled tilapia will keep fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
The bacon hides much of the fishy taste, but if you want to really eliminate it, soak the tilapia in milk for 10-15 minutes, then pat it dry and wrap in bacon.
More Recipes With Bacon to Try:
- Hearty Bacon Lentil Soup
- Mashed Potato Pie with Bacon Roses
- Bacon-Wrapped Cornish Game Hens
- Pan Seared Grouper
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Tilapia
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia filets
- 8 pieces long thick cut of raw bacon
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- parsley to garnish
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Instructions
- Do not use frozen fish to make this recipe. Let the tilapia thaw in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water before starting.
- Preheat the grill to 400º F. Spray a grilling basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Put the tilapia in a dish. Pat it dry, then coat with salt and pepper.
- Brush a small amount of olive oil onto the fish.
- Take two raw pieces of bacon and wrap it tightly around the tilapia.
- Do this with all of the pieces of tilapia. Put the fish into the grilling cage.
- TIP: Keep a plate under the grill basket as you wrap and prepare the fish to prevent it from dripping all over the kitchen.
- Put grill basket with the fish onto the grill and close the lid
- Cook on one side for 5 minutes on high heat and then flip the basket to cook the other side.
- Cook until the fish is flaky and white. Bacon may need a few extra minutes, and that is okay. Tilapia should have an internal temperature of 145ºF when fully cooked.
Notes
- You can use tilapia or another mild white fish, such as cod, in this recipe.
- Feel free to use turkey bacon to make this recipe low-fat.
- This fish will keep up to 3 days in an airtight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
- Preheat your oven to 400º F.
- Wrap your tilapia in bacon as described above in the grill directions.
- Place the tilapia onto the foil and put it into a 9×13 baking dish. Fold the foil up around the fish so it catches the dripping. This will make clean up so much easier.
- Bake the tilapia for 20-25 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your fish.
- Use a digital thermometer to ensure it is fully baked, which is 145ºF.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
