Baked Cod Lemon Herb (Printable)
Tender cod with a golden lemon-herb crumb, baked to a crisp and flavorful finish.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (approximately 5.3 oz each)
02 - Salt, to taste
03 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Lemon Herb Butter Crumb
04 - 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
05 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
08 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
11 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ To Serve
13 - Lemon wedges
# How To Cook:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry using paper towels, then season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange fillets evenly on the prepared tray or dish.
03 - In a bowl, combine fresh breadcrumbs, melted butter, parsley, dill, thyme, lemon zest, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until crumbs are evenly coated.
04 - Spoon the breadcrumb mixture evenly over each cod fillet, gently pressing to ensure it adheres well.
05 - Bake the cod for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork and the crumb topping develops a golden brown crust.
06 - Plate immediately and accompany with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The fish stays impossibly tender while the crumb on top turns crispy and golden in just 20 minutes.
- Fresh herbs and lemon zest make you taste like you've been cooking all day, but the whole thing comes together faster than takeout.
- It's fancy enough for guests but honest enough for a Wednesday night when you want something real.
02 -
- The biggest mistake is leaving wet fish on the tray—moisture steams the crumb off. Pat those fillets bone-dry before they touch the pan.
- Don't skip the melted butter step; it's what binds the herbs and breadcrumbs into something crispy rather than something that falls off.
- All ovens cook differently, so check at 15 minutes rather than waiting the full 20—overcooked fish is nobody's friend.
03 -
- If you want extra crispiness, turn the broiler on for the last 2 minutes and watch closely—the line between golden and burnt is shorter than you'd think.
- Homemade breadcrumbs made from slightly stale bread have better structure and won't turn to mush under the heat like fresh bread crumbs sometimes do.