Baked Cod with Lemon Herb (Printable Format)
Tender cod fillets topped with a golden, zesty lemon herb panko crumb baked to perfection.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (5 oz each)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Panko Crumb Topping
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (60 g)
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
08 - Zest of 1 lemon
09 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ To Serve
15 - Lemon wedges
16 - Fresh herbs (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly.
02 - Dry cod fillets with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper. Place on baking sheet.
03 - In a medium bowl, mix panko, parsley, dill, chives, lemon zest, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in olive oil and melted butter to coat crumbs uniformly.
04 - Generously spoon the panko topping over each cod fillet, pressing lightly to adhere.
05 - Bake fillets 15 to 18 minutes until cod flakes easily with a fork and topping is golden brown.
06 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges and optional fresh herbs.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The panko topping stays crunchy even as the fish stays impossibly tender inside.
- You get restaurant-quality results in under forty minutes with ingredients probably already in your kitchen.
- It tastes elegant enough for company but feels casual enough to make on a random weeknight.
02 -
- Wet fish releases moisture that makes the topping soggy, so drying your fillets thoroughly is non-negotiable.
- Don't skip the butter; it keeps the panko from drying out while the fish cooks and gives it that restaurant-quality color.
03 -
- Make your panko mixture a few hours ahead and store it in the fridge; when you're ready to bake, it comes together in seconds and the flavors have time to meld.
- If your fillets are very thin, reduce baking time to twelve to fifteen minutes so you don't dry them out chasing golden crumbs.