Light, flavourful and ready in 30 minutes, this baked panko crusted cod is the perfect easy protein addition for any meal!
As a dietitian I am always looking for new ways to add more fish into both mine and my families diets.
Until recently, the only seafood my fish-hating family members would eat is shrimp. Mainly in the form of my chili lime shrimp bowls, and shrimp tacos. I could occasionally get them to try my sheet pan miso salmon or teryiaki salmon bites (because they are INCREDIBLE).
However other than that, there were very few other fish options they were open to trying. Knowing how important it is to add fish into our diets at least once weekly, I made it my mission to create a fish recipe they would LOVE.
Introducing: this panko crusted cod. Flakey and lemony cod, crusted in a flavourful panko based coating.... how can you not love it!
Why This Dietitian Loves This Recipe
- Easy protein addition- With 22g of protein per pieces, this is a great lighter protein option if you are looking to change up your typical meat dinner!
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids - Fish is SUCH a great source of the healthy omega- 3 fatty acids our diets don't typically provide us. Although fatty fish such as salmon are the optimal source of omega-3s, finding ways to incorporate ANY fish into your diet is a great way to support your brain development and function!
- Quick dinner idea - With only 10 minutes of prep time needed, this panko crusted cod is a perfect for busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Fresh Parsley
- Butter
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Cod filets
- Eggs
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425℉.
In a shallow medium mixing bowl, add panko, garlic powder, paprika and fresh parsley. Mix well. Add melted butter and lemon juice and use a fork to mix everything together.
Pat cod filets dry using a paper towel (ensure they are very dry or the breading will not stick). Season with salt and black pepper. Whisk the eggs brush the egg wash over each piece of cod.
One at a time, place each filet in the panko mixture. Gently pressing the panko crust onto each side of the fish. Arrange breaded fish in a 9x13' oven safe baking dish.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the fish flakes easily.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: Kikkoman has a gluten free panko option that would work wonderfully in this recipe!
To make dairy-free: Swap the butter for any neutral tasting oil of choice or use a dairy-free butter substitute.
To make nut-free: This recipe is naturally nut-free however I always recommend ensuring all products use are certified nut-free if there is an allergy!
Variations:
One of the things I love the most about this panko crusted cod is how easy it is to customize!
- Cod can easily be replaced with any white fish filet (tilapia, halibut etc.), just ensure thickeness of the fish is the same or the cooktime will vary slightly
- Add any spices or fresh herbs you like to customize your panko coating. Some great options include: adding oregano and basil for an Italian inspired flair, dill and lemon zest for a lemon-dill option or even parmesean cheese for a cheesy take!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Oven-safe dish
Storage
Once cooked, this panko crusted cod will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container.
Top Tip
If your breading is not sticking to the sides of your fish, I recommend brushing each side with a little melted butter. This will help add a bit more moisture to allow the breading to hold!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes absolutely. However instead of getting a crispy outer coating, your breading will still be flavourful it just will not be quite as crisp!
Yes you can and this is a great option if you are looking for an even quicker option! Once breaded, add the cod into the basket of your air fryer and bake at 390F for about 10 minutes (or until the outside is golden brown and the fish is flakey and fully cooked through).
If you don't have any panko on hand but are still looking for that crisp coating I recommend using cornflakes for the most similar texture! You can add the cornflakes to a large Ziploc bag to crush them into small pieces and proceed with the recipe as written.
- mango salsa or any other fresh salsa
- chopped salads
- rice or quinoa
- roasted cauliflower or broccoli
More Easy Dinner Recipes
For when it's 6pm and you have no idea what to make
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this panko crusted cod, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Baked Panko Crusted Cod
Ingredients
For the breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 3 tablespoon butter melted
- Juice of ½ of a large lemon
For the cod
- 1 lb cod filets (4 pieces)
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉.
- In a shallow medium mixing bowl, add panko, garlic powder, paprika and fresh parsley. Mix well. Add melted butter and lemon juice and use a fork to mix everything together.
- Pat cod filets dry using a paper towel (ensure they are very dry or the breading will not stick). Season with salt and black pepper. Whisk the eggs brush the egg wash over each piece of cod.
- One at a time, place each filet in the panko mixture. Gently pressing the panko crust onto each side of the fish. Arrange breaded fish in a 9x13' oven safe baking dish.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the fish flakes easily. The fish is fully cooked when an instant thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fish reads 145℉.
Karen Ross says
Quick, easy, and delicious. Just as advertised. I love that there is no added salt in the ingredients.
Susan Blackburn says
Needed a meal in a hurry and had a large piece of vacuum packed cod in the freezer, defrosted in water while recipe searching...FOUND THIS WONDERFUL, QUICK, DELICIOUS recipe. Everyone LOVED it! It is a keeper. (Luckily I had fresh lemons on hand!)
Sunny says
I mixed the paprika but added fresh dill and this recipe is so yummy! (And easy).
Denn says
This is a restaurant quality dish that you will want to make over & over again.
The cod was so flaky with a golden brown crust that melted in your mouth. You can taste all the ingredients with each delicious bite. I paired it with asparagus and this meal was so filling. Thank you for such a scrumptious and healthy dinner recipe.
Jill Lessing says
Great recipe..
Simple, fast and very tasty..
We love cod with lemon and the panko adds the texture🥰