Easy Crispy Baked Fish Fillets
A quick and healthy dinner recipe featuring crispy baked fish fillets with a golden, crunchy coating made from panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and smoked paprika. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or tilapia), about 6 oz (170 g) each, skinless and boneless
- 1 cup (100 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (25 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Olive oil spray or light cooking oil
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pat dry the fish fillets with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Dredge each fillet lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip fillets fully into beaten eggs, letting extra drip off.
- Press fillets into the breadcrumb mixture, coating evenly and gently pressing to adhere.
- Arrange fillets spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly mist fillets with olive oil spray or brush with a little oil.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes for extra crispiness, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Remove from oven and zest lemon over the fillets.
- Serve immediately for best crispy texture.
Notes
Pat fish dry to ensure coating sticks well. Do not skip the flour step for best adhesion. Mist with olive oil spray for crispiness without frying. Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet to keep fillets crispy. Optional broil step adds extra crunch but watch closely to prevent burning. For gluten-free, substitute panko and flour with gluten-free alternatives. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan and increase smoked paprika slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fish fillet (about
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: crispy baked fish, healthy fish recipe, quick dinner, baked fish fillets, panko fish, easy fish recipe, weeknight dinner