Description

A quick and easy baked white fish recipe with a crispy, golden mayonnaise and panko breadcrumb crust that locks in moisture and flavor without deep frying.

Ingredients

4 white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, haddock, or halibut)

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Salt & pepper, to taste

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil

1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or dried herbs (optional)

Lemon wedges, for serving

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard (if using), lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
In another bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter or olive oil and herbs (if using) to help them brown nicely.
Place the fish fillets on the baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of the mayo mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
Press the buttery panko mixture over the mayo layer, patting it down so it sticks well.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it flakes easily and the crust turns golden brown.
For extra crispiness, broil the fish for the last 1–2 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges and your favorite sides like roasted vegetables, salad, or rice.

Notes

Add a dash of paprika or cayenne pepper to the mayo mixture for a spicy kick.

Use salmon or trout instead of white fish for a richer flavor.

For a dairy-free version, substitute olive oil for butter and use egg-free mayo.

Adding grated Parmesan to the panko mix enhances the savory flavor.

Fresh herbs like dill or chives can replace parsley for different flavor notes.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently in a 350°F oven to keep crust crispy.

Frozen fish can be used if fully thawed and patted dry.

Mayonnaise can be substituted with sour cream or Greek yogurt with slight flavor/texture changes.

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 fillet
Calories: 320
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 60mg