This crispy oven baked cod recipe is an easy 30-minute dinner. A light and flaky fish topped with a buttery crispy parmesan crust and then oven-baked until golden brown. It’s a delicious take on a batter coated fish and much healthier than fried. Enjoy on its own or as a filling for fish tacos and sandwiches!
My family loves a really good fish dinner. Cod with Tomato Basil Sauce and Pan Seared Salmon are two of our favorites. So flavorful, without feeling heavy. They’re both must-tries.
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Making fish for dinner doesn’t need to be complicated. And comfort food doesn’t need to be heavy. This foolproof recipe uses a mild white fish such as cod, which is heart-healthy, high in protein, and lower on the mercury scale. It’s a delicate lean fish, but sturdy enough as a base for a delicious crunchy buttered cracker crumble on top.
Baking it rather than dredging it in oil, keeps it moist but still a lighter version of classic comfort food. And the crispy coating gives it a lovely texture! A crunchy cracker crust with a hint of parmesan and citrus from the lemon is melt in your mouth amazing.
This dish will become part of your rotation, especially if you’re looking to include more lean protein into your diet (or maybe less red meat). Fish taco Tuesdays anyone?
It’s a quick easy dinner ready in 30 minutes which makes it a great weeknight meal that can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd. If you crave fish every once in a while, this easy recipe will come in handy.
Serve it on top of a bed of rice or a side of vegetables. Use it as a filling for fish tacos, or a mouthwatering sandwich. For the best light version of fish and chips, serve it alongside french fries, wedges, or sweet potato fries!
Ingredients
- Cod fillets
- Butter crackers (Ritz or Club crackers)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Butter (melted)
- Lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional garnish)
How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Cod
Preheat the oven and place your pieces of cod on a prepared baking sheet. Use parchment paper to line it or grease it with oil or cooking spray.
Place your butter crackers into a zip lock bag and break into crumbs, using a rolling pin. You can also pulse them in a food processor. Keep in mind you don’t want fine crumbs, you want a bit of texture.
In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs with parmesan cheese, melted butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
A spoonful at a time, sprinkle the crumbs evenly over top of each filet of fish.
Bake until the fish is opaque and flaky and the crust is golden brown!
Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley if you’d like. This dish is best served immediately when the topping is the most crispy. In the event you need to reheat it, just pop it back in the oven at 350 degrees until heated through. Enjoy every bite!
Tips and Variations
- For a lower calorie option, use Panko bread crumbs instead.
- For a gluten-free version, swap out any gluten free crackers.
- A ½ teaspoon of garlic powder added to the crumbs adds another layer of flavor that works nicely.
- If the fish falls apart easily when pulled at with a fork, you’ll know it’s done. A flaky fish is what you’re aiming for.
- Finish off the dish with another final squeeze of lemon, before serving, for a little extra citrus.
Side Dishes to Serve with this Cod Recipe
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Crispy Parmesan Baked Cod Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Cod fillets approx. 2 pounds
- 35 butter crackers ie. Ritz or Club crackers
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place cod on a greased baking sheet or line with parchment paper
- Place the crackers in a zip lock bag and break into into crumbs. (I use a rolling pin)
- In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs with parmesan cheese, melted butter, lemon juice and salt & pepper.
- Evenly spoon the mixture over top of each fillet.
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes.
- Remove and top with fresh parsley, if desired.
- ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Rocky Kropp
Still looking for any details like oven temp, how long, how much of each ingredient. Hope I find it. Poorly written if it’s in the recipe somewhere. Thx.
Tammy Miller
It’s 350° for approximately 25 minutes
Michele
350° for 25 minutes. It’s on the recipe card, in the instructions.
connie
Yes, can this be air-fried? Also, what temp and how long?
Nancy
Can I air fry? What temp and how long
Deborah C
Made it for dinner last night, it was good. Needs just a bit more spice but we all liked it.
Claudia T
Awesome recipe!!! I’ve made it many times. I do add minced garlic.
Thank you for the recipe!
Sherri
You are so welcome! That makes me so happy to hear!
Kay I
Made this tonight ecaxtly as the recipe said, just scaled it down for a 1.25 lb cod; my husband, sister-in-law and I loved it. I will definitely be adding this to my favorites to make again and again. Thanks for the recipe.
Dreamproxies
Dead written articles, thanks for selective information.
Deborah
Very tasty and easy. Thank you
Janie
Cod is often on sale at our local grocery store where they have very fresh fish flown in daily, but have had a hard time finding a good cod recipe that is not fried, and is flavorful and has good texture. This recipe was perfect! crispy, well seasoned, and so easy to prepare!
Thank you!
Dgp
Really delicious recipe. Enhances the flavor of the cod without overpowering it. Very enjoyable to eat. This will be our go to method for cooking cod. Thanks, Sherri!
Rosalie
I have made this several times and it is delicious my family loves it
Heidi Romero
Can I use frozen cod filets?
Nathalie Alamango
Just amazing thank you
Colleen
My whole family loved it!!
Sherri
I’m so happy to hear that!
Terry
This was easy to make and it was delicious. My husband loved it, ate seconds which he usually doesn’t when it’s fish.
Valerie Peery
Made this yesterday. It was so so good. I served it with my vegan chickpea vegetable soup. Perfect.