Description
This crispy baked cod delivers a golden, crunchy crust with a tender, flaky interior — the perfect balance of healthy and indulgent. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a foolproof favorite for both weeknights and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 fresh cod fillets (approximately 1.5 pounds total)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (vegetarian-friendly option available)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 lemon (for zesting and juicing)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika works too)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and lightly grease it.
- Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix well.
- Drizzle olive oil over the breadcrumb mixture and mix until it resembles wet sand.
- Press each cod fillet firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides evenly.
- Arrange coated fillets on the prepared baking sheet without touching.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork (145°F / 63°C internal temperature).
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and let rest 2–3 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko. To make it dairy-free, substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan. Always pat the fish dry for the crispiest texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: crispy baked cod, healthy fish dinner, easy baked cod recipe