Baked Cod with Herb Crust (Printable)
Tender cod topped with crisp herb and Parmesan crust, baked to flaky perfection. An elegant yet easy main course.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 oz each), skinless and boneless
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Herb Crust
04 - 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (preferably from day-old bread)
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Garnish
12 - Lemon wedges
13 - Extra chopped herbs
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each fillet lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parsley, dill, chives, lemon zest, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated and the mixture resembles damp sand.
04 - Spoon the herb crust evenly over the top of each cod fillet, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cod flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges and extra chopped herbs if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The herb crust forms this gorgeous golden shell that shatters slightly when your fork breaks through, creating the perfect textural contrast with the tender fish beneath.
- You can prep the herb mixture earlier in the day, so when dinner rolls around, youre only 20 minutes away from something that looks and tastes like it came from a seaside restaurant.
02 -
- Over-baking cod even by just a minute can take it from perfect to disappointingly dry, so start checking at the 12-minute mark by gently inserting a fork to see if it flakes.
- Adding the Parmesan directly to the breadcrumb mixture rather than sprinkling it on top prevents the cheese from burning while still infusing that savory depth throughout the crust.
03 -
- Before adding herbs to your breadcrumb mixture, rub them between your palms over the bowl this releases their essential oils and intensifies their flavor without needing to use more.
- If your fish fillets are uneven in thickness, fold the thinner end underneath to create a more uniform shape that will cook evenly and look more professional when served.