Panko Crusted Cod: An easy recipe, where pieces of cod are topped with a panko mixture, lemon juice, and seasonings, that the whole family will love! Much like our baked chicken cutlets, this cod is breaded and cooked in the oven to perfection.
Dinner just got a whole lot easier. We love making fish recipes to switch things up from beef and chicken recipes. This air fryer tilapia is another mild white fish recipe that we love making but when we’re looking for a “crunch” factor, this baked cod with panko is a great choice. (It’s especially delicious when used in fish finger tacos!)
We’ve used panko crumbs on these air fryer buffalo chicken tenders and this panko chicken also, and to say that it’s delicious, is an understatement!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick recipe: In just about 20 minutes, this panko-crusted cod recipe will be ready!
- Use frozen or fresh cod: Although fresh fish is ideal, it’s likely that frozen cod may be what you’re using, and that’s ok! (See tips below to insure your frozen fish fillets have the best results.)
Ingredients Needed
I’ve highlighted a couple of ingredients with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic for this baked breaded cod.
- Cod – You can use fresh or frozen. If using frozen fish, press as much water out of the filets as possible once thawed. I like to place the filets in a pan then using paper towels press on the fish, flipping to press on each side. Doing this keeps your crumb topping from getting soggy, by reducing the amount of water that cooks out into the pan.
- Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe. If using salted, keep this in mind when adding salt to your panko seasonings.
- Lemon juice – Fresh lemons (and even a little lemon zest) are so delicious for this recipe. I’d grab a few extra lemons to garnish with or serve with if desired.
Substitutions
If needing to switch things out for various reasons, here are some suggestions that may be helpful for this baked pod with panko and parmesan:
- Cod – if you don’t have enough cod, or are curious about trying other mild white fish, you can try tilapia, halibut, and grouper too.
- Butter – although we haven’t tried using oil instead of butter in this recipe, it’s an option that can be considered. Olive oil or avocado oil would be good options.
- Mrs. Dash – If you don’t have this seasoning or want to trade it out for something different, you may want to try garlic powder and Old Bay seasoning instead.
How to Make this Panko-Crusted Cod Recipe
This dish is easily made into a tasty salt-free dish! To do this, omit the salt when seasoning the fish and use an additional tablespoon of lemon juice.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
Grease a 9 x13 baking dish or sheet pan and preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
STEP 1. Season fish. Coat fish with lemon juice then sprinkle salt and pepper over filets. Place Cod filets into a greased baking pan. (Images 1 & 2).
Tip: if using frozen filets be sure to press as much water as possible out of the filets before seasoning.
STEP 2. Make panko seasoning. In a small bowl mix cayenne pepper, Mrs. Dash, parmesan cheese, and Panko crumbs together (Image 3). Pour in melted butter; mix well to coat the crumbs (Image 4).
STEP 3. Add fresh parsley. Then stir in fresh parsley to mix in with the panko breadcrumb mixture (Images 5 & 6).
STEP 4. Top with panko bread crumbs. Spoon crumb mixture evenly onto the top of the fish filets. Press crumbs into fish (Images 7 & 8).
STEP 5. Bake. Place the pan into the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes until the fish flakes and is opaque throughout, and has reached an internal temperature of 145° F.
Serve with fresh lemons and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Salt-free option. This dish is easily made into a tasty salt-free dish! To do this, omit the salt when seasoning the fish and use an additional tablespoon of lemon juice.
Recipe FAQs
Without a marinade or seasonings, cod can be bland. With this panko crusted cod recipe, the seasonings help give it flavor, without the need to marinate.
No, this cod does not need to be flipped while baking.
No, it is not recommended to wash cod or meats before cooking.
Storage
This dish does not freeze well and tastes best when eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
What to Serve with Crispy Baked Cod Recipe
There are a lot of delicious sides that go with this baked fish but here are a few ideas that are popular with it:
- french fries
- rice pilaf
- green vegetables (like this garlic roasted broccoli)
- white bread (like this Italian bread recipe)
- tartar sauce is a favorite condiment for dipping too!
More Seafood Recipes You’ll Love
If you love fish and seafood recipes, you’ll also love these reader favorites:
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Panko Crusted Cod
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod filets 4 pieces
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons Mrs. Dash Table Blend
- 1 Tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup plain panko crumbs
- 2 Tablespoon butter melted
- 2 Tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Grease a 9 x13 baking dish or sheet pan and preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Coat fish with lemon juice then sprinkle salt and pepper over filets. Place Cod filets into a greased baking pan. (Note: if using frozen filets be sure to press as much water as possible out of the filets before seasoning.)
- In a small bowl mix cayenne pepper, Mrs. Dash, parmesan cheese, and Panko crumbs together. Pour in melted butter; mix well to coat the crumbs. Then stir in fresh parsley.
- Spoon crumb mixture evenly onto the top of the fish filets. Press crumbs into fish.
- Place the pan into the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes until the fish is flakey and opaque throughout.
- Serve with fresh lemons and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Kelly says
This was was INCREDIBLE.I didn’t have Mrs Dash so I used Old Bay Seasoning and ground onion and garlic.. Definitely will be put in my favourite category!
Jessica says
Yum!! Using Old Bay Seasoning sounds like a great idea too, thank you so much for sharing!
Olivia says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I made it for dinner and my family loved it so much, they can’t wait to have it again!
Kristen says
When I made this, even my daughter who typically hates fish, liked this dish.
jess says
this is one of the best cod recipes that I have found! thank you so much for sharing this dish!