Baked Panko Cod with Lemon and Dill

Name: Baked Panko Cod with Lemon and Dill
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 - 2 pounds cod filets; 1 cup panko bread crumbs; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon dried dill weed; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 2 tablespoons capers; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt & pepper

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Baked Panko Cod is a simple, light dinner option that is loaded with flavor. Fresh cod filets are topped with crispy panko bread crumbs and flavored with dried dill, fresh lemon juice and capers. This is an easy recipe that cooks in under 30 minutes!

baked panko cod in a round white serving dish on a bright blue dish towel

Cod is a mild white fish that is regularly found in most grocery stores. Cod fillets are often cheaper than fresh haddock and salmon, making it an excellent budget-friendly protein.

I try to make fresh fish for my family at least once a week. Fish is typically a healthy meal because fish is high in protein, low in fat and can be an excellent source of essential fatty acids. Fresh fish cooks quickly in the oven, making it perfect for nights I need to get dinner made for the whole family in a hurry.

I love adding panko bread crumbs to my baked cod. Panko bread crumbs crisp up in the oven and add a wonderful crunchy topping to the bites of soft, flaky fish.

This is one of my favorite fish recipes! If you love fish too, then you also need to try out my Air Fryer Frozen Salmon recipe made with a lemon butter sauce and my Blackened Cod recipe.

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Recipe Highlights
Ingredients
Kitchen tools needed
How to make
Serving suggestions
Recipe variations
Frequently asked questions
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Recipe Highlights

High protein
Source of essential fatty acids
Cooks quickly - under 30 minutes!
Common & simple ingredients

Ingredients

Cod filets - Cod is a type of white fish found in the fresh fish section of the grocery store. You'll want to use fresh fish filets for this recipe.
Panko bread crumbs - Crunchy panko bread crumbs cannot be substituted out for regular breadcrumbs. The panko topping needs the crunchy texture that you can only get from panko.
Olive oil - The olive oil will add to the crunchy panko crust. If you would prefer buttery panko bread crumbs, then you can substitute in a little melted butter for the olive oil.
Mayo - The mayonnaise will not only add flavor, but it will also help to keep the cod fish filets from drying out.
Capers - Capers are briny, salty little green balls that add pops of flavor to your dish! If you're unsure of what capers are, you may have eaten capers the last time you ordered chicken piccata from a restaurant.
Lemon - You'll be using the lemon for fresh lemon juice. If you have extra lemon leftover, you could garnish your baked panko cod with some lemon zest and lemon wedges.
Dried dill weed
Garlic powder
Salt & black pepper

*Ingredient quantities are found in the recipe card below.

Kitchen tools needed

Sheet pan or baking dish - Nordic Ware sheet pans are my favorite!
2 small mixing bowls
Measuring cups & spoons
Parchment paper

How to make

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the cod filets on the parchment paper and pat dry with paper towels. Season the pieces of cod with salt and black pepper.
In a small bowl, mix the panko crumbs with the olive oil.
In another small bowl, mix together the mayo, lemon juice, dried dill weed, garlic powder and capers.
Using a large spoon, top the fish fillets with the mayo mixture. Spread the mayonnaise out on the fish filets so that each filet has an even layer of of the mayonnaise.
Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs on top of the later of mayonnaise.
Bake the panko cod in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Start checking the thinner filets of cod at 20 minutes. You may want to remove the thin filets and continue cooking the thicker filets of cod for an additional 5 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. Fish should be cooked until it has reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F. The cooking time my vary slightly depending on the thickness of your cod filets.

Panko bread crumbs mixed with olive oil in a glass bowl.

Serving suggestions

Serve baked panko cod with a light garden salad, sautéed fresh vegetables, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, French fries, roasted vegetables or rice pilaf. Of course, don't forget the tartar sauce when serving fish!

White fish also pairs well with dry white wine like Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.

Recipe variations

Slight variations to this panko baked cod recipe include adding a little grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture, serving the dish with a sprinkling of fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my baked cod tough?

If cod is tough, then it is most likely overcooked. This is why I recommend checking the fish at 20 minutes and then adjusting the cook time from there.

What does baked cod taste like?

Cod is a very mild, white fish. You will not taste the distinct "fishy" taste when eating a filet of cod fish. This is why it is an excellent fish for fish-eating beginners!

Is cod fish healthy to eat?

Many people consider cod fish to be a healthy protein choice. It is high in protein and low in fat. Cod also contains essential fatty acids, also knows as "good fats!"

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