Crispy Baked Cod Recipe – fresh cod breaded with a seasoned panko-parmesan cheese blend baked until flaky, crispy and golden. Serve with lemon, tartar and your favorite sides.

gray plate with crispy breaded cod, french fries and lemon wedges

 

If you enjoy breaded fish but hesitated to make it at home, I’ve got you covered with mild-tasting cod and this easy recipe for ‘oven fried’ fish.

Step by step instructions for flaky white fish inside, crispy, golden seasoned panko crust outside. It’s a quick and easy any night meal using very little oil.

overhead view - gray plate with crispy baked cod, french fries, tartar and lemon wedges

Simple ingredients make this delicious, crispy flaky fish one the whole family will enjoy (especially if your kids are already fans of frozen fish sticks!).

This is an easy recipe for any level home cook. The 3-step (egg, flour, breading) system guarantees crispy breaded fish without all the oil involved with deep frying.

Use this recipe to ‘oven fry’ other fish such as haddock, tilapia, grouper or pollack.

WHAT’S IN THIS BAKED crispy COD RECIPE?

HOW TO MAKE baked crispy cod:

You’ll see this recipe doesn’t call for salt or pepper. That’s not a mistake! Old Bay Seasoning contains both – among other spices that are perfectly blended for one-stop seafood seasoning that compliments this oven-fried fish.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then light spritz with cooking spray and set aside.

Pat the fish dry using paper towels then cut into serving size pieces.

SET UP A DREDGING STATION:

Whisk the eggs together in a small bowl (bowl #1)

Add the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and Old Bay Seasoning to a shallow bowl then stir to combine (bowl #2)

Add the flour to to another shallow bowl (bowl #3).

Dredge each piece of fish first into the flour covering both sides and ends then dip in the eggs shaking off any excess.

Last coat the fish in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture completely coating. Gently press the breading to the fish then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.

Repeat until all of the fish is breaded then spray the pieces of cod with cooking spray. This step is important for a crispy golden texture.

Bake 16-20 minutes at 450 degrees or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is crispy and golden.

Cooking time will vary with the thickness of the fillet. The fish you see are cod loins and took a full 20 minutes. If your fillets are smaller, start checking for doneness around 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and serve with your favorite sides (see suggestions below) including tartar sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top.

crispy baked cod on plate with fork piercing the fish

WHAT DO YOU EAT WITH COD?

The beauty of this recipe – besides the taste and ease – is that it goes with so many different sides. Below are a few favorites – choose what you and your family like best.

French Fries – hand cut potatoes air fried to golden crisp outside, fluffy potato inside. 

Cole Slaw – just 4 ingredients + 5 minutes. Crunchy slaw with an easy creamy tangy-sweet dressing. The ideal side with fish, burgers, pulled pork and more.

Macaroni and Cheese – easy homemade mac and cheese from scratch – no Velveeta! Stovetop OR baked with a buttery crisp breadcrumb topping.

Air Fried Broccoli – want to keep the meal light? Try this fresh, air fried broccoli! Fork tender with lightly crisp edges. Cooks in just 8 minutes!

Risotto – creamy Parmesan Risotto with almost NO stirring in under 30 minutes! A delicious side with seafood, steaks or chicken.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I know when the cod is done? Test it using a fork at an angle at the thickest point, twisting gently. It will flake easily when it’s done and won’t have a translucent/raw look to it. The internal temp should be 145°

Are there other ways to cook cod? Yes – I recently posted a recipe for Mediterranean Baked Cod (or sub other mild white fish) – with tomatoes, olives and capers in a lemony-olive oil sauce. 

How do I know my cod is fresh? Use your nose – cod is a mild fish that should never have a fishy smell or feel slimy.

Enjoy!

gray plate with crispy breaded cod, french fries and lemon wedges

Crispy Baked Cod Recipe

Crispy (oven fried) Baked Cod with seasoned panko-parmesan cheese blend. Baked until flaky, crispy and golden - this recipe is always a hit!
4 from 10 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh cut cut into serving size pieces
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • cooking spray
  • optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • NOTE: This recipe doesn’t call for salt or pepper. Old Bay Seasoning contains both – among other spices that are perfectly blended for this oven-fried fish recipe.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spritz with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Rise and pat the fish dry using paper towels then cut into serving size pieces.

DREDGING STATION:

  • Bowl #1: whisk the eggs together,
    Bowl #2: add the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and Old Bay Seasoning then stir to combine.
    Bowl #3: add the flour.
  • Dredge each piece of fish into the flour covering both sides and ends then dip in the eggs shaking off any excess.
  • Last coat the fish in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture completely coating. Gently press the breading to the fish then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
  • Repeat until all of the fish is breaded then spray the cod all over with cooking spray.
  • Bake 20 minutes at 450 degrees or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is crispy and golden. NOTE: Cooking time will vary with the thickness of the fillet.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

pinterest pin showing crispy oven baked cod with french fries and lemon wedges

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If you tried this Crispy ‘Oven Fried’ Baked Cod recipe or any other on the blog then I hope you’ll leave a comment and some stars!

4 from 10 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

5 Comments

  1. Even though I’m not Catholic…… Friday is fish day. Sauteed is a perfect way to cook fish, but so is baked. Love fish anyway it’s cooked! This recipe for crispy fish is spot-on. Pinned. Thanks for sharing. Have a terrific weekend.

  2. Hi Doug – thanks for stopping by. Sounds like breaded fish may not be for you. Perhaps one of the other baked, grilled or air fried fish recipes (without breading) would be better suited. Best – Bernie