This quick and easy seafood dinner recipe is made with a garlicky parmesan crusted white fish broiled until light, flaky, and crispy.
Making seafood at home couldn’t be easier or faster. For a quick weeknight dinner, I love to make my Parmesan Crusted Baked White Fish to have a meal on the table in 30 minutes or less. For this particular recipe, any white fish works. However, I used wild caught cod, because it’s my husband’s favorite and happened to be on sale. But if fresh fish isn’t easily accessible to you, any frozen white fish will work great as well!
Ingredients
- White fish: While I used cod, this recipe would taste great on any white fish, like tilapia or catfish.
- Panko: Paired with the parmesan, it creates a delicious, crispy crust on top of the fish.
- Parmesan: Slightly nutty, sharp, and salty, I prefer to use freshly grated as it tends to bake better.
- Butter: Helps bond the crust to the fish, and keeps the fish moist while baking.
- Garlic: It sweetens as it cooks, pairing well with the nutty flavors of the parmesan.
- Lemon: Using both zest in the crust and juice at the end adds delicious, bright flavor that pairs wonderfully with fish.
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Baked white Fish
Start your parmesan crusted white fish by zesting your lemon into a small bowl, and add the panko bread crumbs and garlic.
Then freshly grate your parmesan cheese, add the salt, pepper, and cayenne (if you’re feeling spicy), and slowly stir in the softened butter.
Then take your white fish and cut into evenly sized pieces that will fit on your prepared baking sheet.
Press the parmesan and panko mixture onto the tops of each fish before tossing in the oven at 425 for about 20 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Drizzle fish with fresh lemon juice after removing from the oven and before serving, then enjoy your Parmesan Crusted Baked White Fish!
Frequently asked questions:
What is a good meaty white fish?
The most common are going to be cod, flounder, tilapia, catfish, and halibut. You should be able to find all of these in both the freezer aisle or seafood counter in your local grocery store.
What temperature should fish be cooked to?
To be considered safely cooked, fish needs to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use frozen fish?
Absolutely! Fresh or frozen fish both work well. However, if you use a frozen variety be sure to defrost it before cooking. Otherwise, the panko coating will burn!
More Seafood
- Honey Mustard Salmon
- Broiled Whitefish with Mango Salsa
- Easy Pan Seared Salmon
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Lightened Seafood Chowder
Eat It, Like It, Share it!
Did you try this seafood recipe? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.
If making seafood at home has ever intimidated you, then this recipe is the perfect way to start making fish at home. I promise you and the whole family will love this Parmesan Crusted Baked White Fish.
Your fork is waiting.
Parmesan Crusted White Fish
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 ounces firm white fish (such as cod, haddock or tilapia)
- ⅔ cup panko
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan
- 2 tablespoons butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees and line baking sheet with foil. Spray with cooking spray and place fish fillets on top.
- In a small bowl, use a fork to mix together all remaining ingredients except the lemon juice (panko through cayenne.) Gently press mixture on top of the fish filets then bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 20 minutes. Drizzle fish with lemon juice before serving.
Nutrition
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delicious, though I did leave out the garlic. I made halibut sent to me by a friend in Alaska, family went crazy, made and salad and fresh New Jersey corn on the cob, perfect summer dinner
Could you use butter instead of the baking spray?
Yes definitely! It’ll just alter the calorie count a bit.
I don’t usually review recipes, but this was so good I had to make an exception! This was the best fish I’ve had in a while – and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make! The panko was nice and crunchy, the parmesan added a lot to the delicate flavor of the tilapia, and the cayenne gave it a welcome extra kick. I definitely want to make this again!
I did it your way today
Added some ginger, a little spicy
My son likes to eat
LOVED THIS!!! Husband asked if I could use just this recipe for fish from now on! Added a little turmeric too, as we like things a little spicy. Great flavor!
Oh turmeric is a great addition! Glad you guys enjoyed!
We have a bunch of fish to use up from the freezer. Can’t wait to try this out for dinner.
This is now on regular rotation at my house! Everyone loves it and I love that it is quick and delicious! Definitely our favorite fish recipe!
I made this for lunch today, it was sooo good. I used cat fish fillets and red snapper. Followed your recipe 100%. Both were delicious, family really enjoyed it. I paired it with a salad and a baked potato with all the trimmings along with butter rolls. Definitely a keeper! No need to fry fish with this recipe.
This recipe is awesome! I paired it with asparagus and I used frozen fish.
We are so happy to see so many people trying this delicious-looking Wild Alaska Pollock recipe.
Thank you for sharing this type of content. We are huge fans of this perfect protein!
Thank you!
It’s delicious, thank you soo much!! I paired it with broccoli and rice. ☺️
Hi Rachel, great side dish choices! This recipe is sooo good right?!
This looks like a great recipe. I’ll be making this tonight. Initially, you say the fish is broiled. Then, in the recipe you say to bake it.
Yes, we are baking at a high temperature to basically broil the top and get it crispy, but we aren’t using the broil function of the oven. Sorry for the confusion!
I am a New England girl who has NEVER liked any kind of fish. UNTIL NOW!! Holy cow, this is fantastic!! I made this for my husband son and granddaughter and they harped on me until I tried it…. I am soooo glad that I did❤️ This is a regular now on our menu list. Thank you for sharing
I’m so glad you tried it and loved it!!
Very tasty. I might pare back on the cayenne just a bit. Between that and the lemon there was enough zip for me. Thanks for posting.
I’m so glad you enjoyed!!
I really enjoyed this recipe, the only thing I would do differently is season the fish before topping it and maybe leave the salt out of the panko mix so the fish is more thoroughly seasoned (I used frozen fish which I think tends to run a bit bland) I didn’t have as much fish as the recipe called for, so I toasted the extra bread crumb mix on the stove and topped my pasta with it, sooo delicious!
Yes that’s a great tip too Maria! Enjoy!
Can I use this recipe with halibut?
Absolutely would be perfect with halibut, Micaela!
This was so yummy!!!!!!!!!! Very easy to make too. My mother does not eat fish unless she is in Aruba and she LOVED this and is now requesting once a week !!!
I’m so happy to hear you loved this!! And your mom too! yay!
Am I the only one who found this recipe to be way too salty? And I like salt!
Did you use over a pound of fish – the 20 ounces? One teaspoon is the general rule of thumb for every pound (16 ounces)
This was delicious!…made exactly as described, using Alaskan rock fish. Came out perfectly and very tasty. Nice nip on the tongue from the cayenne, which combines so well with the lemon. Butter tempers the heat a bit, and garlic is very subtle. This will become a regular as we buy the fish in bulk!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Moira!! Merry Christmas!
Super easy, super delish weeknight dinner. I subbed olive oil for the butter and prepared the dish with fresh cod. Served the fish with roasted acorn squash from my CSA and steamed broccoli. My husband, who swears he doesn’t like parmesan — and even orders veal parm sans parm and pizza without parmesan — had seconds of your recipe.
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed this meal Susan!!! Keep me posted on others you try!
I made this with whiting fish. It turned out so good. I will definitely use this recipe again. I love any kind of fish.
Oh i’m so glad you enjoyed it Pat!!
Do you need to thaw frozen fish before cooking?
You can use frozen just cook a little longer!
Huh, no! Make sure it is thawed or you will burn the panko.
Oh yes good point – when I said frozen fish that still meant you had to thaw it first. I’ll add clarity around that now!
Loved recipe…so easy to put together and really tasty.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Delicious!! Have made this with cod, haddock, and tilapia and it is amazing. New go to fish recipe :)
That makes me so happy Jules!