Two Kooks » All Recipes » Fish and Seafood » Crispy Baked Fish (20 min)

Crispy Baked Fish (20 min)

A buttery golden brown panko crust crowns this crispy baked fish for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. A perfect fish recipe for people who don’t like fish. And for those who do too.

Choose any mild white fish and a sauce or condiment you like best – we have lots of suggestions below.

panko covered white fish with veggies on black plate.

Panko crumbs are very crunchy, making them a great option for the breaded baked fish. There is one problem though. They remain pale even when baked. This is because fish takes so little time to bake.

So the first trick to this recipe is to toast the bread crumbs before coating the fish. I like to toast them in a pan on the stove. The oven toasting method is fine too. Both will help create a golden brown crispy topping for the fish.

The second trick is the thin layer of mayonnaise mixture that seals is moisture, adds flavor and helps the panko crumbs stick to the fish.

I love to make this recipe when I’m craving fried food. I hate frying – the smell, the hands-on time and the extra oil used. So I stick to oven ‘fried’ fish.

The recipe is super easy to make.

  • Toast the bread crumbs in a pan with a little butter and seasoning
  • Spread a thin layer of seasoned mayonnaise over the fish fillets
  • Coat the fish with the toasted crumbs
  • Pop the fish into the oven for 7-10 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges or your favorite dipping sauce.

This easy baked fish recipe is completely versatile with respect to the type of fish used, the seasoning and dipping sauce. You can even make it into homemade fish sticks.

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

haddock pieces, butter, panko, lemon, cajun seasoning, seasoned mayo coating, salt
Ingredients: white fish fillets, mayonnaise mixture (mayo, Dijon, thyme, lemon juice) salt, Cajun seasoning, lemon, butter, Panko breadcrumbs.

Here are some tips variations and substitutions you can use.

What type of fish can I use for this recipe?

Any sturdy white fish will work. I used haddock in the pictures, but I’ve also used sole and cod for this recipe. Other good options are tilapia, flounder, grouper, snapper, artic char, halibut and walleye.

What seasoning can I use with panko crumbs?

I use cajun or old bay seasoning. If you don’t have these, try a mix of onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and oregano or thyme. You can also add some Parmesan cheese to the crumb mixture.

What dipping sauces would go well with breaded baked fish?

Classic tarter sauce, shrimp cocktail sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey mustard, mayo with lemon and garlic, fresh herb sauce, dill sauce, plum sauce or red pepper sauce.

If I don’t have Panko crumbs, what can I use instead?

Finely crushed Ritz crackers or corn flakes can be substituted.

Is there a way to lower the calories for this baked fish recipe?

Yes. Use half the panko mixture (including half the butter – or even skip the butter). Coat the fish on one side only with Panko, then place the fish directly on a pan lined with parchment. You can also use light mayonnaise.

How to make crispy baked fish

toasted panko crumbs in pan
Pan fry Panko bread crumbs with butter, lemon zest and Cajun seasoning for about 5 minutes on medium until golden brown.
fish coated in seasoned mayonnaise
Stir together the mayonnaise mixture in a shallow bowl or dish and coat each piece of fish.
uncooked fish pieces breaded on rack over pan
Dip fish in toasted Panko to cover. Place on rack over a pan lined with parchment.
breaded baked fish on rack over a pan
Bake at 425F/217C for 7-10 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish, just until the fish flakes. Don’t over bake.
plate of breaded baked fish with vegetables and lemon wedges 1
Serve with lemon wedges or a favorite dipping sauce (see suggestions)

Make Ahead

Make the toasted bread crumbs a few days ahead if you like. Keep them at room temperature in an airtight container. I would not suggest making the full recipe ahead. Any reheating of the fish is likely to over cook it.

What to serve with the crispy oven baked fish

Serve the fish with fries and coleslaw for a more classic fish and chips type meal. But honestly, almost anything goes. Here are a few options.

Tips on fish recipes for people who don’t like fish

Some fish haters can never be turned. But don’t give up. If you’re a first time fish eater, this would be a good recipe to start with. Here are some tips that might help non fish eaters turn into fish eaters.

  1. Use breading: This often masks the fish. Try frying fish or, better yet, make oven fried fish (like this recipe)
  2. Buy a non-fishy tasting fish: Tilapia, artic char, haddock, flounder, sole, halibut and walleye are good options.
  3. Get rid of any fishy smell: All fish will have some smell soon after it’s caught. To get rid of the smell, squeeze lemon juice on the fish just before cooking. Or, soak the fillets in milk for 15 minutes. Pat dry and continue with the recipe.
  4. Buy fresh fish or good frozen fish: Frozen fish can be just as good as fresh as it’s typically frozen right after it’s caught. Just make sure there is no freezer burn or ice crystals (a sign of thawing and refreezing) and try to get frozen fish that has been vacuum sealed in a bag.
  5. Add your favorite spices: Fish absorbs spices well.
  6. Don’t over cook the fish: This is my biggest pet peeve. Dry over cooked fish is, well, yuck. Aim for 130-135F/57C with an instant read thermometer. It can make all the difference.
  7. Use a great dipping sauce: You’ve heard of people who only like shrimp because of the cocktail sauce, right? Same idea. In fact, don’t knock cocktail sauce with the crispy baked fish. Or check out other suggestions below.

Other easy baked fish recipes you might like

piece of breaded fish showing the inside of fish p1

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5 star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟in the recipe card below. And if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments. Thanks very much!

panko covered white fish with veggies on black plate.
Print Recipe Pin Save Recipe

Rate this recipe here

4.87 from 45 votes

Crispy Baked Fish (20 minutes)

A buttery golden brown panko crust crowns this crispy baked fish for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. A perfect fish recipe for people who don't like fish. And for those who do too. Choose any mild white fish and a sauce or condiment you like best (we have lots of suggestions).
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 (or 3 smaller portions)

Ingredients

Fish

  • 1 pound (450g) white fish, skinned, cut in even(ish) pieces, Note 1
  • salt and pepper to taste

Panko breadcrumb coating

  • 1 cup (119g) Panko breadcrumbs (or finely crushed Ritz cracker/cornflakes)
  • 1 tablespoon butter use 1 1/2 tbsp for extra buttery crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, Note 2 or Old Bay
  • zest of 1 lemon

Mayonnaise coating

  • 3 tablespoon mayonnaise light is fine
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon thyme

Garnish and dipping sauce

  • lemon wedges
  • dipping sauce options, Note 3

Instructions

  • HEAT OVEN TO 425F/217C. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and place a grill/rack on top. Spray rack with cooking spray for easy clean up.
  • TOAST BREADCRUMBS: Pan fry Panko crumbs with butter, lemon zest and Cajun seasoning over medium heat in a large pan for about 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to burn them. To toast crumbs in oven instead: place crumbs on pan and bake in heated oven for 5-7 minutes, shaking half way through, until golden brown.
  • COAT FISH WITH MAYO, THEN PANKO: Stir mayo mixture ingredients together in a shallow dish and brush on fish in a thin layer on both sides. Sprinkle one side lightly with salt and pepper (skip if cajun seasoning is salty). Then dip pieces of fish in crumbs, patting to help adhere crumbs to fish. Place fish on the rack on top of baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle any remaining crumbs over fish.
  • BAKE: Bake fish in middle rack of oven for 7-10 minutes, depending on thickness of fish. One inch (2.5cm) thick fish will take about 10 minutes. Half inch, about 7-8 minutes. An instant thermometer will read 135F/57C. The fish should flake easily and be slightly translucent (not dry). Serve with lemon wedges and your preferred dipping sauce (note 3).

Recipe Notes

  1. Fish options: haddock (pictured), sole, cod, tilapia, flounder, grouper, snapper, artic char, halibut, walleye. 
  2. Cajun seasoning alternative: if you don’t have Cajun seasoning, use Old Bay or Jerk seasoning. Or try: 1 tsp smoked/regular paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp each garlic powder, thyme, cayenne. 
  3. Dipping sauce options (~1/4 cup/60ml): 
    • Tartar sauce (classic): 1/4 cup/60ml mayonnaise, 1/2 tbsp chopped capers, 1 tsp Dijon, 1 tsp lemon juice. 
    • Seafood cocktail sauce: 1/4 cup/60ml ketchup, 1 tbsp prepared horseradish. optional: squeeze of lemon juice and dash or Worcestershire. 
    • Plum sauce
    • Honey mustard
    • Sriracha mayo – add 2 tsp sriracha to 1/4 cup mayo.
    • Lemon garlic mayo – add 1/2 tsp minced garlic and 2 tsp lemon juice to 1/4 cup/60ml mayonnaise. 
    • Fresh herb sauce
    • Red pepper sauce
 
Nutrition values are estimates for two large portions and include light mayonnaise and lemon wedges (no dipping sauce). 

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 2133mg | Potassium: 814mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2093IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?We’d love you to rate it above under ‘rate this recipe’ or in the comment section below. Thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Very good written story. It will be helpful to anybody who employess it, as well as myself. Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts.

  2. 5 stars
    I finally now know how to make perfect baked fish! Used cod twice, then halibut, then white bass after a successful day of fishing.

  3. 4 stars
    Very good recipe, the Mayo/Dijon left the fish moist throughout! Great tip on toasting the Panko first. I used some striped bass I caught and it was a crowd pleaser.