Can I use another fish besides cod?

Yes! This method works well with haddock, pollock, halibut , or even salmon. The baking time may change depending on thickness, so check early and often.

How do I know when the cod is done?

When it flakes easily with a fork and looks opaque throughout. If you like kitchen science, cod is typically done around 145°F in the thickest part.

Can I make Boston Baked Cod ahead of time?

You can prep the breadcrumb topping a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. I wouldn’t fully assemble it too early, because the topping can absorb moisture and lose crispness.

How do I store leftovers?

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days . Reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through to help keep the topping crisp.

You can , but the breadcrumb topping won’t be as crunchy after thawing. If you want to freeze, freeze the baked fish, then refresh in the oven and consider adding a quick new sprinkle of panko on top before reheating.

Boston Baked Cod: Comforting, Crispy 15-Minute Magic

Description

Boston Baked Cod is tender, flaky cod topped with a golden lemon-butter panko crust—fast, cozy, and perfect for an easy weeknight seafood dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cod fillets (6 oz each), about 1 inch thick
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Butter, for greasing the baking dish
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional: pinch of smoked paprika (for extra flavor)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
Pat cod fillets completely dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Arrange cod in the baking dish with a little space between pieces.
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until foaming, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in panko, parsley, garlic powder, and lemon zest (and smoked paprika if using) until it looks like wet sand.
Spoon the topping evenly over the cod and press gently so it sticks.
Drizzle lemon juice and olive oil over the fillets.
Bake 12–15 minutes, until the fish flakes easily and the topping is golden brown.
Rest 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drying the cod well helps the topping stay crispy.
If your fillets are thinner, start checking at 10–11 minutes.
Want extra crunch? Broil for 30–60 seconds at the end—watch closely.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cod fillet
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 500 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 31 g
Cholesterol: 120 mg