Baked Cod Cracker Topping (Printable)
Tender cod baked beneath a golden, buttery cracker crumb topping with subtle lemon and herbs.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (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 crushed buttery crackers (e.g., Ritz)
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 cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper. Arrange fillets in the prepared baking dish and drizzle lemon juice evenly over them.
03 - Combine crushed crackers, melted butter, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Mix until crumbs are uniformly coated.
04 - Spoon cracker crumb mixture evenly over the tops of the cod fillets, gently pressing to adhere.
05 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until 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 Advice:
01 -
- Cod cooks so gently under that crumb blanket that you can't really mess it up, even on a chaotic weeknight.
- The topping gets buttery and golden while the fish stays impossibly flaky underneath.
- It feels restaurant-worthy but honestly takes less time than ordering takeout.
- You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, which is when my family actually gets hungry.
02 -
- Dry fish is everything—I learned this the hard way when my first attempt came out steamed and sad instead of gently baked and tender.
- Don't overbake it; the fish keeps cooking slightly after it comes out of the oven, and overcooked cod becomes rubbery and flavorless.
- Melted butter on the crumbs is non-negotiable; it's what gives you that golden, crispy texture instead of dry breadcrumbs.
03 -
- Using melted butter instead of soft butter ensures the crumbs toast evenly and turn golden instead of clumping in spots.
- Lemon zest adds more flavor than lemon juice ever could, so don't skip it even if you think you're not a zest person—it changes everything.
- Watch for the topping to turn golden rather than relying on the time; every oven behaves a little differently, and color is a more honest guide than your clock.