Crispy Baked Lemon Herb Cod with Asparagus
A quick and easy baked cod recipe featuring a crispy lemon herb crust paired with tender asparagus, perfect for a healthy and satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) cod fillets, fresh or thawed
- 1 bunch (12 ounces / 340g) asparagus, trimmed
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (about 60g) panko breadcrumbs (Japanese-style preferred)
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Trim the asparagus ends by snapping off the woody bottoms.
- In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir until blended.
- Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Brush each fillet with the herb-lemon mixture on both sides.
- In a separate bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the top of each fillet, pressing gently so it adheres.
- Arrange the cod fillets skin-side down (if skin-on) and asparagus spears on a large baking sheet. Drizzle asparagus with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily, the topping is golden and crisp, and asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Right after baking, drizzle fresh lemon juice over the cod and asparagus.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy crust and vibrant flavors.
Notes
Pat the fish dry before applying the herb mixture to ensure a crispy crust. Keep an eye on the fish during the last 3 minutes of baking to avoid burning the breadcrumb topping. For gluten-free, substitute panko with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese alternative. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even roasting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with aspara
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: baked cod, lemon herb cod, crispy fish, asparagus recipe, healthy dinner, easy fish recipe, quick dinner, baked fish