Baked Cod with Cracker Crumb (Print Version)
Tender cod fillets baked beneath a golden cracker crumb topping for an easy seafood dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 cod fillets, skinless and boneless, approximately 6 oz each
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
→ Cracker Crumb Topping
05 - 1 cup buttery crackers (e.g., Ritz), crushed
06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Optional Garnish
11 - Lemon wedges
12 - Additional chopped parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the cod fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper, then arrange them in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle lemon juice over the fillets.
03 - Combine crushed crackers, melted butter, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are evenly coated.
04 - Distribute the cracker crumb mixture evenly over the tops of the cod fillets and gently press to adhere.
05 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden brown.
06 - Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges and additional parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cod stays impossibly tender while that cracker topping turns nutty and golden, giving you two textures in every bite.
- Thirty minutes from bare counter to dinner, no stress, no techniques to master.
- It tastes like you fussed over it far more than you actually did.
02 -
- Don't skip drying the fish; even a little moisture will steam the fillets instead of letting them bake gently, and the topping won't crisp properly.
- Watch closely during the last few minutes—the difference between golden and burnt is sometimes just ninety seconds, and ovens vary wildly.
03 -
- Make the crumb topping ahead and store it in the fridge; it actually adheres better to the cold fish because it doesn't start sliding around.
- If your crackers aren't buttery enough to begin with, don't be shy about adding an extra tablespoon of melted butter—this is not the place to hold back.