This simple panko-crusted cod recipe takes minutes to prep and makes for an easy and delicious dinner paired with your favourite side. If you’re a fan of easy seafood recipes, you’ve got to try this one out!
Are you a fan of seafood?
How about easy recipes?
Well, have I got the thing for you!
I absolutely love seafood, especially cod. Some of my faves are fish stew, cod au gratin, fish fajitas and, of course, panko-coated cod.
This panko baked cod recipe takes minutes to prep and, all in all, can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Not too shabby, huh?
Fan of fish with panko? Check out this crispy fish burger recipe!
How To Make This Panko Crusted Cod Recipe
Full details on how to make this panko-crusted cod are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
First you’re going to want to pat the cod fillets dry of any excess moisture with paper towels, then lightly season them with some salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Set up your dredging station. Basically, you want a dish of flour, another with a whisked egg, and a third with seasoned panko bread crumbs.
Now it’s time to dredge the cod fillets! Taking one fillet at a time, lightly coat it in flour, shaking off any excess flour.
Then dip the cod fillet into the whisked egg, allowing any excess egg to drip back into the dish.
The last step in the dredging process is to coat the cod fillet in seasoned panko bread crumbs. You’ll want to press the bread crumbs into the fish so you get a good coating.
Tip: To get more golden colour on your panko bread crumbs, you can bake them in the oven (on a sheet pan) for a few minutes before coating the fish.
As you are dredging your cod fillets, you can put them on a greased sheet pan. Then it’s just a matter of baking them until cooked through.
There ya have it! Easy panko-crusted cod that’s ready to be devoured!
Tip: Serve with some fresh lemon wedges and tartar sauce. So good with this baked fish recipe!
Look at those beautiful flakes!
Tip: Enjoy the pieces of cod as is or use as a delicious protein for a cod fish sandwich or wrap!
Can I Use Frozen Fish?
Fresh fish works best for panko-crusted cod (because it tends to have less moisture), but frozen will totally work. Just ensure that if you use frozen, you thaw before using.
Can I Use Another Variety of Fish?
For sure! Instead of cod, try haddock.
Sides To Serve With Panko Crusted Cod
This panko cod is delicious with any of these sides:
More Easy Cod Recipes
If you try this panko-crusted cod recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Panko-Crusted Cod Recipe
Ingredients
- Cooking spray, to grease sheet pan
- 4 (5-ounce) cod fillets (boneless and skinless), 1.25 pounds in total
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unseasoned panko bread crumbs, approximately
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon dried thyme or dried dill weed, depending on how much herb flavour you want
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Chopped fresh thyme leaves or dill, garnish to taste (optional)
- Tartar sauce and lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a sheet pan with some cooking spray and set aside.
- Pat cod fillets dry of any excess moisture with paper towels. Use ¼ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper and season the fillets.
- Set up your dredging station. Use three small baking dishes or shallow plates or bowls. Add flour to one, whisk the egg in another and add panko bread crumbs to the third. To the panko bread crumbs, add onion powder, thyme or dill (whatever one you're using), garlic powder, cayenne pepper and remaining ¾ teaspoon of salt and remaining ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to combine. Tip: After the panko mixture is mixed up, I like to remove about ½ of it (and put into a bowl) just so it doesn't get clumpy as I'm coating the fish. Add more back, as needed.
- Taking one cod fillet at a time, coat in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip the cod in egg, allowing the excess egg to drip off back into the dish. Then dip the cod in the seasoned panko bread crumbs, pressing them in so they adhere nicely to the fish. Once coated, place the cod onto the prepared sheet pan as you continue to coat all the cod fillets.
- Bake the cod fillets for 16 to 18 minutes or until they're cooked through, opaque and flake easily with a fork (insert the tines of a fork into the thickest part of the fish at an angle and twist gently; it should flake easily). Note: Cook time can vary depending on the thickness of your fish.
- If desired, garnish with fresh thyme or dill. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges (optional, but delicious). Enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
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Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Valentina says
Dawn, the cod is so perfectly flaky — and surrounded by that delicious crust — oh my. I’m going to try this later in the week. My dad comes for dinner once a week and it’s right up his alley. I’ll report back. 🙂 ~Valentina
Valentina says
Was delicious, Dawn. I used a gluten-free flour so my son (with Celiac) could partake. And a little extra heat (cayenne) on my dad’s portion because he loves spicy. Thank you!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
That’s awesome, Valentina!! So happy you all enjoyed the recipe! Nice touch with the extra cayenne. Thank you very much!!! 🙂
Laura says
Love this recipe, Dawn! When I see a dredging station, I know theres going to be awesome texture and flavor! I love panko for this purpose, too! So light and crunchy!
David @ Spiced says
Ah, this looks like an awesome dinner! I really enjoy cod – well, any flaky white fish – and the seasoned panko mixture here sounds delicious. I can imagine eating these for dinner or even using them in po’boy sandwich form!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I am a fan of fish and easy dinners! We usually have easy access to Walleye fish and I’m sure it will work in this recipe, but I’ll need to see if I can get my hands on some cod too! This looks simple and delicious!!!
Marissa says
Your cod is cooked to perfection, Dawn. And I love that crispy panko crust – totally irresistible!
Michelle says
Love panko crusted anything and what a great idea using it on cod! They look delicious! Happy Monday, Dawn!