Parmesan Crusted Baked Fish

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 06/06/20
Parmesan baked fish on a plate with salad and lemon wedge

The Spruce
  • Total: 45 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings

What to make for dinner, again? Well, if you have some frozen fish fillets on hand, this recipe is an easy way to cook them, and the baked fish—we like using tilapia or haddock—ends up with a tender, crunchy, Parmesan-coated crust.

Once you make this dish and enjoy it, the recipe is an easy blueprint for making your own variations.

For a classic fish dinner, serve this tasty fish with lemon wedges and rémoulade sauce or tartar sauce, along with coleslaw and fries or roasted potatoes. It would also pair nicely with just about any side dish, from a hearty salad to creamy mashed potatoes to roasted veggies. If you prefer spice, use a spicy dipping sauce or chili-garlic sauce as a dip for the fish. 

Consider making your own breadcrumbs for this recipe. If you've never done it before, it's super easy, and if you have leftover stale bread, then breadcrumbs are the perfect solution to prevent food waste. If you make your own breadcrumbs, be sure to season them with salt, pepper, and your favorite dried herbs and spices. Store them in a sealed container and use them in place of store-bought breadcrumbs in any recipe.

1:08

Click Play to See This Parmesan Crusted Baked Fish Fillet Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 pounds fish fillets like tilapia, haddock, or cod (fresh or thawed, if previously frozen)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Parmesan baked fish ingredients
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  2. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease an 11 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 2-inch baking dish, being sure to reach the sides and bottom of the dish.

    Greased baking pan
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  3. Blend together the milk and salt in a shallow bowl.

    Blend together milk and salt
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  4. Combine bread crumbs, paprika, and Parmesan cheese in another bowl.

    Combine breadcrumbs, paprika, and Parmesan cheese
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  5. Dip fish fillets into milk mixture, then into crumb mixture.

    Dip fish fillets into milk mixture
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  6. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. Try to give each fillet its own space without too much overlap. Drizzle melted butter over fillets.

    Baked fish drizzled with butter
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  7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of fillets. The fish should flake easily with a fork when done.

    Baked fish ready to serve
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  8. Serve the fish right away, either on a platter or straight from the hot baking dish. Enjoy.

Tips

  • Start with your favorite fish fillets for this recipe. Tilapia or haddock would both be great choices. You'll probably want to pick a mild white fish, as salmon or bluefish might have too strong a flavor for this preparation.
  • If possible, buy fresh fish and use it that day (or one day later).
  • If fresh fish is not an option for you, frozen fillets will work just fine. Be sure to fully defrost them prior to cooking.
  • For either fresh or previously frozen fish, you'll want to dry the fillets prior to cooking. The easiest way to do this is to pat them down with paper towels before you start cooking.