Baked Cod with Herb Crust (Printable Version)
Tender cod fillets with a golden panko and herb crust, perfect for an easy, flavorful dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (approximately 6 oz each)
02 - Salt, to taste
03 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Crust
04 - 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped or 1 teaspoon dried dill
07 - 2 teaspoons lemon zest
08 - 1 garlic clove, minced
09 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
→ To Serve
11 - Lemon wedges
# How-To:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels, season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then arrange them on the baking sheet.
03 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, dill, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese if using, mixing until evenly incorporated.
04 - Evenly spread the panko mixture over the tops of the cod fillets, gently pressing to adhere.
05 - Place the prepared fillets in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Present immediately with lemon wedges alongside.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The panko stays crispy even as the fish steams underneath, giving you texture in every bite.
- It comes together in under 40 minutes from start to table, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore.
- Fresh herbs and lemon make it taste bright and alive without any heavy cream or complicated techniques.
02 -
- The difference between a soggy crust and a crisp one comes down to patting the fish dry first—it's a small step that changes everything.
- Toasting your panko in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes before mixing creates an even more satisfying crunch, though it's not required.
03 -
- Pat your fish dry with paper towels before seasoning—this one habit will make your crust crispy instead of steamed.
- Don't walk away while it bakes; the difference between perfectly golden and slightly overdone is just a couple of minutes, and keeping an eye on it means you catch it at its best.