• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Platein28
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Screen Time
  • Blog
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Screen Time
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipe Box

    Easy Baked Cod with Panko and Parmesan

    Published: Nov 18, 2021 · Modified: Jan 7, 2022 by Julie Park · This post may contain affiliate links

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Looking for a lighter meal that is packed with flavor and crunch? This Baked Cod with Panko is the ticket! Not only is it light and healthy (baked, not fried), my kids love it! Even better, this recipe can be made in 28 minutes or less!

    Note: If you love baked cod, be sure to also try our delicious and light Baked Cod with Peach & Tomato Salsa!

    plates of baked white fish with lemon, broccoli and fries
    Jump to:
    • 👍 Why We Love Baked Cod with Panko
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • đŸ‘©â€đŸł Instructions for Baked Cod with Panko
    • 💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 📖 Customize Your Baked Cod
    • đŸ‘¶đŸŒTips for Picky Eaters
    • ✂ Make a Fish Craft
    • đŸœ Other Seafood Dishes to Check Out
    • 🐟 Easy Baked Cod with Panko and Parmesan

    👍 Why We Love Baked Cod with Panko

    Quick and simple! Our Baked Panko with Cod takes less than 28 minutes to whip up. It's the most simple, quick dinner ever.

    Perfect for families! It was a winner with our family for sure! Kids especially loved having the option to squirt extra lemon on top. Serve alone or with our delicious Lemony Garlic Pasta!

    A healthy choice. Cod is nutrient-dense and is associated with many health benefits, including lower heart disease risk. Moreover, when you bake fish instead of fry it in oil, the dish is lower in fat and less greasy.

    The crunch factor. The fish is so mild and light, and the panko gives it an awesome, complimentary crunch.

    Customizable! Because cod can take on flavor so easily, you can adjust the seasonings and flavors to suit your family's tastes.

    🛒 Ingredients

    ingredients for baked cod with panko

    Notes on ingredients:

    Flour - You can totally use an all-purpose / wheat flour instead of almond flour. But I will say that almond flour gives the fish a lighter touch and excellent flavor. Big fan of Bob's Red Mill flours.

    Seasoning - Feel free to use whichever herbs/spices you like. Some options: Mrs. Dash, lemon pepper, garlic powder, garlic salt, cayenne (just a sprinkle), Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, and mustard powder.

    Parsley garnish - Totally optional.

    Lemon juice- A perfect finishing touch on top of the baked cod with panko. Check out how to juice a lemon without a juicer for this recipe. 

    đŸ‘©â€đŸł Instructions for Baked Cod with Panko

    Step 1: Heat oven. Dry, cut and season cod.

    đŸ„„ Kids Step: Help cut the fish.* We're big fans of these kid-friendly knives.

    seasoning cod with salt

    Step2: Prep your three bowls- flour, eggs and panko.

    đŸ„„ Kids Step: This is a good time to teach about measuring units. Grab your measuring cups and spoons and show your kids how to use them.

    flour and seasoning next to yellow bowl
    yellow bowl and eggs
    panko bread crumbs in bowl

    Step 3: Dredge the cod in each bowl and place on baking sheet.

    đŸ„„ Kids Step: If you have more than one kiddo, you can set up an assembly line. Each person can be in charge of dredging the fish in one bowl and passing it on. Have a towel nearby so you guys can wipe the egg off your hands in between cod pieces. This can get messy. Also, because of the raw egg, make sure nobody's hands go in their mouths!*

    dipping cod into panko and seasoning in bowls

    Step 4: Bake for 12 minutes.

    đŸ„„ Kids Step: The final kids step can be squirting the lemon and sprinkling the parsley on the baked fish.

    cod going into oven
    baked cod on baking sheet

    We served our baked cod with panko dish with tartar sauce and bang bang sauce, which is basically a combo of mayo, sweet chili sauce and Sriracha. It was perfect.

    *Note: For toddlers especially, these tasks require adult supervision and/or assistance, as items may be sharp, hot or otherwise dangerous. 

    💭 Expert Tips and Tricks

    • Remember to pat cod fillets dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy finish.
    • Don't overcook cod or it will be tough, dry and chewy.  Your fish is fully cooked when it hits an internal temp of 145°F and is opaque instead of clear. A digital thermometer (like our fave, the ThermapenÂź) always comes in handy!
    • Serve with your favorite steamed green vegetable, like green beans, broccoli or roasted asparagus. You might consider a potato side, like roasted potatoes, with garlic or a side of veggies, like sliced cucumber, carrot sticks, or peeled celery sticks.
    • If you don't have panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs or crushed crackers will work but may not give you as much crunch as panko.

    ❓ FAQ

    What is Panko?

    Panko is a Japanese-originated type of breadcrumb that's extra crunchy. It's so mild that you can season it with any herbs and spices you'd like and it'll take on the flavor very nicely. It's also lighter and lower in calories than standard breadcrumbs. Panko is a great breading because it gives a nice crunchy topping to the fish.

    How do I know when the fish is fully cooked?

    Your fish is fully cooked when it hits an internal temp of 145°F and is opaque instead of clear. However, be careful not to overcook your fish or it will be tough and chewy. In my oven, 12-13 mins was the sweet spot. We recommend Thermoworks' Thermapen for the most accurate temps.

    How do I store the leftovers?

    Once cooled, put any baked cod with panko leftovers in a sealed tupperware and store in fridge. Personally, I wouldn't keep the leftovers past 2 days.

    Can I use frozen fish?

    You can. The first time I made this, I bought frozen cod and left it in the fridge a day to thaw before I cooked it. Another way to thaw frozen fish is to leave it (still in its packaging) in a bowl filled with cold water, a while before you're ready to cook.

    Can I use a different fish?

    Yes! You can use almost any Whitefish. I chose cod for this recipe because it's one of the more common Whitefish at seafood counters. Other options are: halibut, grouper, tilapia, haddock, catfish, flounder, etc. I do like to keep in mind which fish are sustainably sourced by practices that protect our oceans. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch is the best source of info for this.

    📖 Customize Your Baked Cod

    • Swap the fish - this cod could easily be substituted with any other Whitefish, i.e. halibut, grouper, tilapia, haddock, catfish, flounder. I picked cod because I see it at most grocery markets' seafood counters, and I wanted this recipe's ingredients to be accessible to everyone.
    • Swap the flour - you don't have to use almond flour. I like it because it's super light and gluten free. But if you don't have it and don't wanna buy it, regular flour is great.
    • Add more seasoning - The only spices in this recipe are salt, pepper, and onion powder. But, because whitefish is so mild, you can use whatever you like. Other spices I considered: Mrs. Dash, lemon pepper, garlic powder, garlic salt, cayenne (just a sprinkle), Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, and mustard powder.
    • Make it Gluten Free! The only ingredient in this dish that's not gluten-free is the panko breadcrumbs. And never you fear! Kikkoman (and several other companies) make gluten- free panko.
    • Make it Dairy Free! If you can't do the cheese, take out the Parmesan and add in some nutritional yeast. The flavor will be a bit different, but honestly, I've never had anything with nutritional yeast that I didn't absolutely love.

    đŸ‘¶đŸŒTips for Picky Eaters

    • Lemon juice! The oddest thing is that my kids did not like this fish until they squirted some lemon juice on top...and then they loved it. I'll never understand! But if you're going to skip or swap any of the ingredients, don't ditch the lemon!
    • Kids pick the sides! Popular picks for our kids (that I think would also go well with the cod) are frozen peas, carrot sticks, steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, rice, our sweet potato fries and sugar snap peas.
    baked cod on plate with broccoli

    ✂ Make a Fish Craft

    Looking for a craft that kids can play with? These adorable 3D Paper Fish Puppets are simple, sweet and so much fun!

    two paper fish puppets

    đŸœ Other Seafood Dishes to Check Out

    • Shrimp with corn in creamy poblano pepper sauce
      Shrimp with Corn in Creamy Poblano Pepper Sauce
    • 2018/04/noodle-shrimp-craft.jpg
      Teriyaki Salmon with Baby Bok Choy
    • Seared Scallops with Summer Veggies and Garlic Bread on plate
      Pan Seared Scallops with Vegetables and Lemon
    • baked cod and peach salsa on plate
      Baked Cod with Peach & Tomato Salsa

    Follow Platein28 on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook and Sign up for our newsletter for all the latest recipes and crafts!

    baked white fish with lemon, broccoli and fries
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe Share on Facebook

    🐟 Easy Baked Cod with Panko and Parmesan

    Author: Marcie & Julie
    This Baked Cod with Panko is a new family favorite! Yummy, crispy, healthy AND quick..this meal will get your kids to like fish.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time13 mins
    Total Time28 mins
    Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients

    • cooking spray
    • 1 Pound cod, skinless and filleted (or another white fish)
    • 2 Teaspoon salt
    • Ÿ cup almond flour
    • ÂŒ Teaspoon salt
    • ÂŒ Teaspoon black pepper
    • 3 eggs
    • 1 cup panko flakes
    • 4 Tablespoon parmesan
    • œ Teaspoon onion powder
    • fresh parsley (as garnish)
    • 6 lemon wedges

    Instructions

    • Set your oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Take your cod fillet out of packaging and pat dry. Lay out the fish and cut into strips. Sprinkle salt over fish. Let fish rest while you prep the breading.
    • Grab 3 bowls. (1) In the first bowl, mix together almond flour, salt, and pepper. (2) In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs. (3) And in the third bowl, pour the panko, parmesan and onion powder.
    • Take a piece of cod and dredge it in the bowl of flour mix, coating all sides. Then dip the piece fully in the egg mix. Finally, roll the piece around in the panko mix until fully coated. Transfer cod to baking sheet. Repeat until all the fish is coated.
    • Bake for 12-13 mins. Fish should be opaque (not clear) and internal temp should be 145°F.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Notes

    • Remember to pat cod fillets dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy finish.
    • Don't overcook cod or it will be tough, dry and chewy. Your fish is fully cooked when it hits an internal temp of 145°F and is opaque instead of clear. We recommend the Thermapen for checking your fish temp!
    • Serve with your favorite steamed green vegetable, like green beans, broccoli or roasted asparagus. You might consider a potato side, like roasted potatoes, with garlic or a side of veggies, like sliced cucumber, carrot sticks, or peeled celery sticks.
    • If you don't have panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs or crushed crackers will work but may not give you as much crunch as panko.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 353kcal (18%)Carbohydrates: 19g (6%)Protein: 33g (66%)Fat: 17g (26%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 175mg (58%)Sodium: 1607mg (70%)Potassium: 590mg (17%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 269IU (5%)Vitamin C: 16mg (19%)Calcium: 177mg (18%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

    *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. While we are not certified nutritionists, we work with a WordPress-integrated nutrition API to calculate our recipes' ingredient values.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Platein28 or tag #platein28!

    Want more 28-minute recipes? Sign up and get recipes straight to your inbox!

    You May Also Like

    • collage of four Italian sausage recipes
      35 Easy Italian Sausage Recipes for Dinner
    • cut and seasoned steak with rosemary
      Reasons Why Your Steak Is Coming Out Tough and Chewy
    • lemon garlic pasta with lemons in bowl
      Lemony Garlic Pasta (One Pot!)
    • plates of breaded asparagus with lemon wedges
      Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan & Lemon

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Julie & Marcie in kitchen

    We are two sisters with young kids who want to help simplify mealtime for busy families! Platein28 is our family’s unofficial guide to wading through mealtime chaos. Here you will find quality recipes that take 28 minutes or less, with activities to occupy your kids so you can actually cook.

    More about us →

    Spring Recipes

    • hand holding fork and bowl of pasta with roasted veggies and pesto sauce
      Delicious, Simple Recipe for Pesto Pasta
    • collage of sliders for kids
      The 10 Best Sliders for Kids (Quick and Simple!)
    • hot dogs in crescent rolls on plate
      Hot Dogs in Crescent Rolls
    • creamy vegetable pasta in spoon
      Creamy Vegetable Pasta
    • bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips on orange tablecloth
      4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • four types of egg recipes
      13 Easy Egg Recipes

    Popular Recipes

    • the sloppy joes one white plate
      Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
    • stacked pancakes
      Easy Cinnamon Pancakes with Vanilla
    • chicken, rice and peas in small blue crockpot with lid on side
      Creamy Chicken Pea Skillet with Rice (One Pan!)
    • carrot sticks on a plate
      How to Cut Carrot Sticks
    • turkey burger sliders spread out on large plate
      The Easiest Turkey Burger Sliders
    • Sandwich with beef, cheese and onion on a long roll
      Easy Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

    Kids Crafts & Activities

    • three colorful pumpkins
      Fun with Melting Crayons on Pumpkins
    • eight melted crayon hearts in rows
      Fun with Melting Crayons in the Oven
    • different pastas dyed different colors drying on parchment paper
      How to Dye Pasta for Crafts
    • two red fish puppets
      Adorable DIY Fish Puppet
    • tissue paper vase with red and yellow flowers
      Cow-Themed Tissue Paper Vase
    • red and white Mushroom Village house
      Adorable Mushroom Craft for Kids

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Platein28
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Graphics courtesy of Fred Chao

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    Have comments or questions?

    Send us an email!


    We earn a commission through purchases made through partner and affiliate sites.

    Copyright © 2020-2022 Platein28 on the Foodie Pro Theme

    We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to use this site, you consent tocookiesbeing used. Visit our Privacy Policy for more information.
    ACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT