This Oven-Fried Cod will become your go-to recipe! I tested it over and over to achieve the best, crispy, baked cod. Use this method for any oven-fried fish!
Say hello to your new favorite fish recipe.
Because after one taste, you'll be making this breaded cod again and again. I worked hard to ensure it's worthy of being added to my collection of the best seafood recipes!
After much testing, this oven-fried cod meets my requirements:
- Crispy on the outside
- Tender on the inside
- Tastes delicious
- Uses just a small amount of oil for a healthier option than fried fish.
My family (the whole gang is here!) gave it all thumbs up. And, they're relieved they don't have to endure more of my experiments, for cod's sake!
Oven-fried cod ingredients
It starts with fresh cod, of course. You can use Atlantic cod or Pacific cod, and feel free to substitute haddock, pollock, orange roughy, or any sturdy white fish.
You'll need flour, eggs and plain bread crumbs for the crispy coating. You can use store-bought or homemade bread crumbs.
You'll mix the bread crumbs with Parmesan, garlic powder, salt and hot paprika, for a little kick. You can substitute smoked or regular paprika for the latter, along with a little cayenne pepper.
But no worries, this isn't spicy hot. Just tasty. I don't do bland around here!
Can you use seasoned bread crumbs?
If you don't have plain bread crumbs in the house, you can certainly start with seasoned ones. Just add the Parmesan and hot paprika to them.
You shouldn't need the salt and garlic powder. But taste the breading once it's mixed (before it touches raw fish), to see if it needs anything.
How to bread fish
- Dredge the codfish in flour.
- Dip it in beaten eggs.
- Dredge the cod in the bread crumb mixture.
Tips for crispy baked cod
- Use flour in addition to the beaten eggs and bread crumbs. This makes a huge difference in the crispiness factor!
- Bake at a high temperature (450 degrees F) for 20 minutes. This ensures a crispy coating and a tender interior.
- Bake directly on a greased, foil-lined half-sheet pan (affiliate link) to allow the bottom of the cod to crisp. I tried using a baking rack, but it made the bottoms soggy.
- Spray the whole surface of the breaded fish with cooking spray. This also adds flavor and prevents dried-out crumbs.
How to serve oven-fried cod
- It's delicious with just a drizzle of lemon juice, but you can dip it in mayo, if you wish.
- Enjoy it as "fish and chips" with a side of fries or just go with potato salad and vegetables.
- Make a fish sandwich with mayo, lettuce and an optional slice of cheese. I love the leftovers this way for lunch!
- Serve it in a fish taco with guacamole and tomatoes. My daughter loves this using a flour tortilla!
Storing the leftovers
This recipe makes enough for six servings (but you could halve the recipe if you wish). Refrigerate leftovers for up to three days.
You also could freeze the cooked cod. Just place it in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, in a single layer, and use within three months, for best quality.
More cod dishes to try
- Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Garlic Butter (gluten free & keto)
- Coffee Butter Cod
- Cod with Tomatoes
- Beer-Battered Cod
And, here are some tips on how to buy and cook cod. Enjoy!
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C)
Oven-Fried Cod Recipe (Crispy & Delicious!)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh cod (or make 1 pound with half recipe)
- ½ cup plain bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon hot paprika (or regular paprika + ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper)
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs
- cooking spray (enough to spray the fish and pan)
- lemon juice from ¼ lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a half sheet pan with foil and grease it with cooking spray.
- Rinse the cod and feel for any bones to remove. Pat it dry with paper towels. Cut any large pieces into serving portions. Wash your hands.
- In a dinner plate, add the bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, paprika (and cayenne pepper, if needed). Stir with a fork to combine.
- Place the flour in another plate or shallow bowl.
- Crack the eggs into another shallow bowl and beat them with a fork.
- Set up an assembly line from left to right with the fish, flour, eggs, bread crumb mixture and the baking pan.
- Use a fork to dredge a piece of fish in the flour, coating both sides and ends. Use another fork to transfer the floured fish to the beaten eggs. Coat the fish all over with the eggs and let any excess drip off. Then, dredge the fish in the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides and the ends.
- Place each piece of breaded cod on the prepared pan. Spray the entire surface of the fish with cooking spray. (This is important for texture and flavor.) Bake for 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Squeeze some lemon juice on the fish. Serve the cod as is, or with mayo, if desired.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. The cooked fish also can be frozen and should be used within three months, for best quality.
Video
Notes
- It's delicious with just a drizzle of lemon juice, but you can dip it in mayo, if you wish.
- Enjoy it as "fish and chips" with a side of fries or just go with potato salad and vegetables.
- Make a fish sandwich with mayo, lettuce and an optional slice of cheese. I love the leftovers this way for lunch!
- Serve it in a fish taco with guacamole and tomatoes.
Lynn
Best “Fried” Fish! Have made 3 times with cod. Perfect every time! Wouldn’t change a thing.
Mamma C
Hi Lynn - I'm so happy you enjoyed this! Thanks for letting me know.
Georgianne
Very Good! My husband loved it.
I used spray butter on the fish since I don't have cooking spray. Is there anything else I could have used?
It turned out great! I used plain panko crumbs.
Mamma C
Hi Georgianne - You could try brushing on a little oil. Or, you could purchase a spray dispenser for oil and fill it with that. Here is one I found online. If you purchase through that link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Andi B
I love this oven baked version of fried breaded fish. I usually deep fry cod for fish and chips but this is a much healthier option. I've also used whole grain breadcrumbs and it works really well. Tonight I'm serving with roasted veggies and rice. This has definitely gone in the regular rotation. Thanks!
Mamma C
Hi Andi - Thanks for letting me know! Your dinner sounds delicious. It's good to know that whole grain bread crumbs work here too.
Claudette
This is my favorite recipe for fried fish that i have ever made. Could this recipe be used for boneless and skinless chicken breasts?
Mamma C
Hi Claudette - I love hearing that! It should work with chicken breasts, but you might have to experiment with the baking time. I've been meaning to test this.
Nancy
Hello they look delicious. I like cornmeal, is there a way to incorporate it into the ingredients.
Thanks can’t wait to try it, Nancy
Mamma C
Hi Nancy - I've never tried this with cornmeal. Maybe you could add some to the bread crumb mixture. Let me know if you try it.
Lisa
Thank you for this recipe! My husband who wants everything fried loved it!
Mamma C
Hi Lisa - You're welcome! That's great that he can now enjoy this healthier version of fried fish.
Kathy
Thank you, Mamma C for teaching me how to do the dipping and breading with forks. I've always used my fingers and ended up with a mess. The fish was crispy and moist. Perfect! Better than fried.
Mamma C
Hi Kathy - You're welcome! I appreciate you letting me know my instructions were helpful.
Andi B
I find it clumsy to do it with forks. I use the wet-hand-dry-hand method. Left hand (dry hand) places fish into flour, shake off excess. Right hand (wet hand) drops floured fish into egg mixture and flips to coat. Right hand drops egged fish into the bread crumbs. Left hand (dry hand) jumps back into coat the fish with breadcrumbs. This stops your hands from the cakey gooey mess that a classic breading station can produce.
Mamma C
Hi Andi - Thanks for sharing!
Cheri
Cod was cooked perfectly, flaky and moist. Only comment is that the crust separated from the fish somewhat, meaning I had to spear pieces of fish and pieces of breading separately, but not that big a deal. The flavor was excellent.
Mamma C
Hi Cheri - When you're breading the fish, try patting the bread crumb mixture onto the cod with the back of a fork. I'm glad you enjoyed this!
Vicki
Delicious and perfect made exactly as recipe states...we all loved it, and husband kept remarking on how good it was. Definitely a keeper to be made again and again....
Mamma C
Hi Vicki - I'm so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know.
Pat
Perfect recipe for easy and crispy oven baked fish. Nice coating that doesn't overpower the taste of that fresh fish. Made exactly with just a touch of cajun seasoning in the bread crumb mixture. Definately a keeper!
Mamma C
Hi Pat - The Cajun seasoning sounds great! I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for your detailed review!