Description
Tender cod fillets topped with a buttery, lemony panko crust — simple, fast, and oven-ready.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each, ~1″ thick)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Additional butter to grease the baking dish
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter.
- Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then place them in the prepared dish with space between each piece.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it foams (about 2 minutes). Remove from the heat.
- Stir the panko, parsley, garlic powder, and lemon zest into the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly moistened and look like damp sand.
- Divide the panko mixture over the fillets, pressing lightly so it adheres. Drizzle the lemon juice and olive oil across the top.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the crust turns golden. Thicker fillets may need a few extra minutes.
- Let the fillets rest for a minute or two before serving.
Notes
- The fish is done when its internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Dry the fillets thoroughly before topping — excess moisture will stop the crust from crisping.
- If your fillets are thicker than 1″, add 3–5 minutes to the bake time and check doneness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Rewarm gently in a 350°F oven to help preserve the topping’s texture.
- Freezing cooked cod isn’t ideal; the texture tends to degrade and become watery after thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg