Should you’re on the lookout for a quick, flavorful dinner that feels somewhat fancy with out the additional effort, this simple lemon baked cod is it. The fillets bake up flaky with a lemon, buttery crust loaded with garlic and Parmesan. It’s the form of dinner that makes you’re feeling such as you ordered one thing particular at a restaurant, but it surely solely takes quarter-hour begin to end.
Searching for easier fish recipes? Strive our Simple Air Fryer Salmon.
Why My Recipe
- Flaky cod with a flavorful garlic parmesan crust.
- Fast and straightforward dinner—prepared in solely quarter-hour!
- Full the meal with rice and a veggie or a inexperienced salad.

It’s simple to show this dish into an entire meal and may be served over rice along with your favourite veggie on the facet, or maintain it gentle and serve it with a easy, recent inexperienced salad. It’s a simple approach to get dinner on the desk shortly and it’s good for you too!
Ingredient Notes

- Cod Fish: Search for 6-ounce parts of recent or thawed cod. If utilizing frozen, thaw utterly and pat dry to take away extra moisture.
- Butter: Be certain that it’s softened since you’ll be mixing it with different components. Salted or unsalted is ok.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is what you need for the most effective soften and taste.
- All-Objective Flour: Helps create a barely thick, spreadable crust.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the most effective taste, however jarred works too.
- Dried Basil: Provides a delicate herbaceous observe. Italian seasoning could possibly be used as an alternative for a special taste twist.
- Onion Powder: Provides depth to the butter combination. Don’t substitute with recent onion—it gained’t mix as properly.
- Dijon Mustard: Provides somewhat tang and complexity. Yellow mustard can be utilized if wanted, however Dijon is most well-liked.
- Lemon Juice: Contemporary is finest for taste, however it’s also possible to use bottled.
- Contemporary Parsley (elective): Provides a pop of colour and recent, herby taste.
- Lemon (elective): Thinly slice and use to garnish if you wish to make it fairly.
Shopping for Cod
While you head to the shop to purchase your cod, search for agency, white fillets with a gentle odor. Keep away from items that look uninteresting or have a robust fishy odor. Fish shouldn’t odor fishy if it’s good.
Should you’re utilizing frozen cod, be sure that to thaw it utterly within the fridge in a single day or underneath chilly operating water. Pat it dry earlier than baking to assist the crust stick higher and guarantee even cooking.
Utilizing Different Fish
This lemon-butter topping is scrumptious on different fish as properly. Simply keep watch over cook dinner time: tilapia’s thinner and wishes much less time (assume shave off a pair minutes), whereas thick cuts like halibut may have a couple of further to get flaky and opaque all through.

How one can Know When It’s Performed
When your cod goes from see-through and glossy to strong white and begins flaking, it’s performed. The inner temperature ought to attain 145°F (63°C) if you happen to’re utilizing a thermometer. Watch out to not overcook it. Cod is a lean fish and dries out shortly if left within the oven too lengthy.
Serving Solutions
Rice and Veggies: Merely pair with a facet of white or brown steamed rice and a inexperienced veggie (we love asparagus or inexperienced beans) for a whole meal.
Tacos: Slice it up and throw it in a taco. Add toppings like cabbage, bitter cream, guacamole, and a few sliced or pickled jalapeños.
Salad or Wrap: Repurpose these leftovers and use in a salad or lettuce wrap.
Storage & Reheating
Fish is finest eaten recent. To avoid wasting any leftovers, permit the fish to chill to room temperature earlier than inserting in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
Microwave on excessive in 30-second increments, till warmed via.