There are weeknights when dinner needs to be fast, simple, and preferably not involve 14 ingredients or three pans. This baked cod checks all three boxes.
The fish stays tender and flaky while the Parmesan breadcrumb topping gets golden and crisp in the oven. A little lime, garlic, and butter give it plenty of flavor without making the recipe feel heavy.
And because fish cooks so quickly, dinner can be on the table in about 30 minutes without a whole lot of effort.
Cod works especially well here because it is thick, mild, and sturdy enough to hold the breadcrumb topping. Haddock, pollock, mahi mahi, or another firm white fish can work too.
How to Make Baked Cod with Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and pat the cod very dry with paper towels. This part matters more than it seems becuase excess moisture is the enemy of a crisp topping.
- Place the fillets in a baking dish.
- In a small bowl, stir together the lime juice, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Spread the mixture evenly over the top of each piece of fish.
- In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle the mixture generously over the cod.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top and bake for about 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden and crisp. I like to finish with a little chopped parsley if you want to make dinner look like you tried harder than you did.
A Few Tips I have learned
- Dry the fish well. If you are using frozen cod, make sure it is fully thawed and pat it thoroughly dry. Frozen fish can hold onto a surprising amount of moisture, and that extra water can keep the topping from crisping.
- Use panko breadcrumbs.Panko gives you a lighter, crunchier topping than traditional breadcrumbs.
- Watch the thickness. Cod fillets can vary quite a bit in size. Thicker pieces may need closer to 20 minutes, while thinner ones can be done sooner.
- Don’t overbake it. Fish goes from perfectly flaky to dry pretty quickly. Start checking it a few minutes early.
hook, line & side dishes
- Roasted Red Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with butter, herbs, and garlic make a delightful side dish.
- Not Your Mama's Green Beans: Tender green beans sautéed in garlic butter add a burst of flavor to complement the cod.
- Lemon Quinoa: A refreshing quinoa salad with a burst of lemon.
- Roasted Asparagus: Roasted asparagus spears drizzled with olive oi, garlic and mozzarella cheese - sooo good!
- Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb option that pairs well with the cod and absorbs the delicious flavors of the dish.
- Creamed Spinach: A simple and nutritious side dish.
watch the video on how to make it
Easy Baked Cod with Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping Recipe
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
The fish stays tender and flaky while the Parmesan breadcrumb topping gets golden and crisp in the oven. A little lime, garlic, and butter give it plenty of flavor without making the recipe feel heavy.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets, about 1 ½ inches thick
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 425°F.
- Prep the fish. Pat the cod fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels, then arrange them in a baking dish.
- Add the seasoning layer. In a small bowl, stir together the lime juice, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Spoon the mixture over the cod and spread it evenly across the top of each fillet.
- Add the topping. Combine the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the fish.
- Bake. Drizzle the melted butter over the breadcrumb topping and bake for about 15–20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden.
- Finish and serve. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
EASY BAKED COD RECIPE
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This is so very good and so easy!!! love it. I have made this many times .Thank you for the recipe
thanks for trying it and leaving a comment Pam!
Absolutely delicious! We used to get this at a local restaurant and the menu changed. Now I can make it at home. Thank you!
Absolutely loved it!!! Really easy to make and turned out perfect!:) my husband loved it and I'll definitely make it again:) Thanks for the recipe!
Will definitely make again. Recipe is simple and delicious. After done baking, I placed baked fish over bed of Wild Rice and doused everything with fresh squeezed lemon juice. My mouth was doing the happy dance to say the very least!!!
I'm not a cod fan but this looks delicious!
Delicious recipe! I cooked it for my husband and myself and served it with fresh peas, spinach and samphire with a lemon, garlic and mint dressing. Looked and tasted very professional! I’ll definitely be preparing it again!
that sounds delicious Jo!
Fixed this last night for my wife and I (adjust recipe just for 2) and it was delicious. Used frozen fillets and let them thaw completely, then drained and let air dry well while prepping everything else. Served with sautéed onions, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini and yellow squash. Super simple and quick. Definitely a keeper!
I'm so glad you and your wife enjoyed it!
Delicious! I mixed the melted butter in with the panko and parmesan, and then topped the fish with the mixture. Baked according to directions and everyone loved it.
thanks Gayle!
Made this and It was delicious. Will definitely be making this one often!