Baked Cod with Lemon-Herb Breadcrumb Crust
Delicate cod fillets baked beneath a crunchy lemon, parsley, and garlic breadcrumb crust for a bright, flavorful finish. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs cod fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Sheet pans that don’t warp in a hot oven → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat dry 4 cod fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the fillets and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp olive oil until evenly combined and crumbly.
- Step 3: Press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the top of each cod fillet to form a crust.
- Step 4: Bake cod for 12-15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
- Step 5: Drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the fish before serving to add brightness.








