Boston Baked Cod That Tastes Like the Coast Came Home
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh cod fillets (about 4 pieces)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup crushed Ritz crackers or plain breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or softened butter (for the baking dish)
- 2-3 thin lemon slices (optional, for layering under the fish)
Instructions
- Remove cod from the fridge 10 minutes before cooking to take the chill off.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with olive oil or butter. Lay lemon slices on the bottom if using.
- Pat cod fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then squeeze lemon juice over the top.
- In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and parsley until the mixture resembles damp sand.
- Place cod fillets in the prepared baking dish. Press the cracker topping firmly onto each fillet to form an even crust about 1/4 inch thick.
- Bake uncovered at 400°F for 18 to 22 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the fish flakes easily when pressed gently with a fork.
- Remove from oven and let rest in the pan for 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat your cod fillets completely dry before adding the topping — this is the single most important step for getting a crispy crust and preventing the fish from turning watery in the pan.