Crispy Garlic Butter Baked Cod
A quick and easy baked cod recipe featuring a crispy garlic butter and lemon herb panko crust that delivers a flavorful, crunchy topping while keeping the fish moist and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb cod fillets (fresh or thawed frozen, skinless if preferred)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (Japanese-style)
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped (optional)
- Salt to taste (kosher or sea salt preferred)
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Juice of half a lemon (for serving and a splash before baking)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the minced garlic. Stir well and let sit for a couple of minutes to infuse.
- In a medium bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, lemon zest, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
- Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Brush the cod generously with the garlic butter mixture on all sides.
- Press the panko mixture firmly onto the top side of each fillet to form a thick crust.
- Place the cod fillets crust side up on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle any remaining garlic butter over the crust.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Thinner fillets may be done closer to 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and immediately squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
Pat the cod dry before applying butter and crumbs to ensure a crispy crust. Melt butter and let it cool slightly before mixing with garlic to avoid bitterness. Press panko firmly onto fish to prevent falling off. If crust browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil. For gluten-free, substitute panko with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour. For dairy-free, use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approximat
- Calories: 280320
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: baked cod, garlic butter cod, crispy cod, lemon herb fish, easy fish recipe, panko crust, quick dinner, healthy seafood