Description
Boston Baked Cod features tender, flaky cod fillets topped with a golden lemon-butter panko crust. This fast and cozy recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight seafood dinner, combining bright citrus flavors with a crunchy topping for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz each), about 1 inch thick
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Butter, for greasing the baking dish
Topping
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika (for extra flavor)
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Prepare the cod fillets: Pat the cod fillets completely dry using paper towels. Season both sides of each fillet evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Arrange fillets: Place the seasoned cod fillets in the buttered baking dish with a little space between each piece to ensure even cooking.
- Make the topping: In a small saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until foaming, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, garlic powder, lemon zest, and smoked paprika if using. Mix until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Apply the topping: Spoon the prepared panko topping evenly over each cod fillet. Press gently so the topping adheres well to the fish.
- Drizzle finishing touches: Drizzle fresh lemon juice and olive oil over the fillets to add brightness and moisture.
- Bake the cod: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Allow the cod to rest for 2 minutes out of the oven before serving to let the juices redistribute and the crust to set.
Notes
- Drying the cod well before seasoning helps the topping stay crispy during baking.
- If your cod fillets are thinner than 1 inch, start checking for doneness at around 10–11 minutes to avoid overcooking.
- For extra crunch, you can broil the cod for 30–60 seconds after baking; watch closely to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Boston Baked Cod, baked cod recipe, lemon butter cod, panko crusted cod, easy seafood dinner
