Baked Cod with Cracker Crumbs (Print Version)
Flaky cod fillets baked with buttery cracker crumbs, parsley, and lemon zest. A golden, crispy topping makes this dish irresistible.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets, skinless and boneless
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Cracker Topping
04 - 1 cup (about 25) buttery round crackers, crushed
05 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
→ For Baking
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange fillets in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine the crushed crackers, melted butter, parsley, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.
04 - Spoon the cracker mixture evenly over each cod fillet, gently pressing to adhere.
05 - Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden brown.
06 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Ready in 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
- The buttery cracker topping creates such incredible texture that even fish skeptics ask for seconds
02 -
- Dry fish equals crispy topping, so pat those fillets thoroughly with paper towels or the crust will get soggy
- Do not press the crumbs too hard or they become dense and lose their beautiful light texture
03 -
- Crush crackers in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin for easy cleanup and uniform crumbs
- Room temperature fish cooks more evenly, so let fillets sit out for 15 minutes before baking