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Easy • Seafood

Crispy Baked Cod with Lemon Butter

Flaky baked cod with a golden, crispy topping and bright lemon-butter sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
2
Level
Easy
Crispy Baked Cod with Lemon Butter

Say goodbye to boring fish! This Crispy Baked Cod is incredibly easy to make, resulting in perfectly flaky fish with a delightful crunchy topping. Drizzled with a zesty lemon-butter sauce, it's a light, healthy, and unbelievably delicious meal that comes together in a flash.

Ingredients

Yield: 2 servings

Main

  • 2 (6 oz) cod fillets, about 1-inch thick
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Lemon Butter Sauce

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

  2. Step 2

    Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of the fillets with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.

  3. Step 3

    In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and garlic powder. Mix well. Press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the top side of each cod fillet.

  4. Step 4

    Place the crusted cod fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the crust is golden brown and crispy.

  5. Step 5

    While the fish bakes, prepare the lemon butter sauce: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk until combined.

  6. Step 6

    Once cooked, remove cod from the oven. Drizzle generously with the lemon butter sauce and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Tips

  • Adjust baking time based on the thickness of your cod. Thicker fillets will need a few more minutes.
  • You can substitute other mild white fish like tilapia or snapper for cod.
  • Serve with roasted vegetables or a simple side salad for a complete meal.

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