Are you craving a delicious and hassle-free weeknight dinner option that will impress your taste buds without taking up too much time? Look no further! This Easy Baked Cod with Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping recipe is flaky, moist and delicious.

If you are looking for a simple and fast dinner, there really is nothing faster than fish. It doesn’t need a lot of prep and is best served in a simple fashion.
You can use any firm white fish for this recipe. We chose cod simple because it’s affordable and thick which holds up well with the breadcrumb topping. But you can use salmon, haddock, mahi mahi or pollack.Â
How to Make Easy Baked Cod
- Preheat your oven to a toasty 425°F. While the oven is preheating, pat the cod fillets dry with some paper towels, and then place them in a baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, and a churn of freshly ground black pepper. Spoon it over the fish and spread this heavenly blend over each fish fillet.
- Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese and generously sprinkle this scrumptious mixture over the fish.
- Finally, drizzle the fish with melted butter. As the fish bakes in the oven for a mere 20 minutes, the topping turns golden brown and perfectly crispy, while the fish itself becomes tender and flaky. It’s a true culinary symphony!
- Once the fish flakes easily with a fork, your masterpiece is ready to be devoured. For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle a little parsley on top before serving, adding both a burst of color and a hint of freshness.
Reeling in the Best Tips
- For those using frozen fish, it’s crucial to ensure it’s completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry. I once made the mistake of assuming the fish was thawed, but it wasn’t. Frozen fish tends to hold more moisture than expected, so take the time to push down on the fish with a paper towel making sure ALL the moisture is out.
- For the breadcrumb topping, using panko breadcrumbs is recommended. Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that are light and airy, resulting in a crispier and crunchier coating on the fish.

HOOK, LINE AND 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 sautĂ©ed 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 HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
EASY BAKED COD RECIPE
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Easy Baked Cod with Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Flaky white fish with a parmesan & breadcrumb topping drizzled in melted butter and baked. A perfect weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 Cod Fillets, about 1 ½″ thick
- 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
- ÂĽ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ÂĽ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Churn Fresh Black Pepper
- ½ Cup Breadcrumbs
- ÂĽ Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Melted Butter
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 425°F.
- Pat the fish dry with paper towels and place in a baking dish.
- Combine the lime juice, mayonnaise, onion & garlic powders & pepper in a small bowl. Spoon and spread over each fish fillet.
- Combine the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and sprinkle over the fish.
- Drizzle with melted butter and bake for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Sprinkle with a little parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
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!
★★★★★