Name: Crispy Garlic Parmesan Baked Fish
Ingredients: Fish Fillets: 2 pounds of firm white fish fillets, such as cod, haddock, halibut, or tilapia. Choose your favorite, fresh or thawed, ensuring they are skinless and boneless for easy preparation and even cooking.; Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The nutty, salty flavor of Parmesan is key to the crispy crust. Freshly grated is highly recommended for better texture and melt.; Breadcrumbs: 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs. Panko provides a superior crispiness compared to regular breadcrumbs, creating that desirable crunchy topping.; Garlic: 4 cloves of garlic, minced. Freshly minced garlic is crucial for that pungent, aromatic garlic flavor that permeates the dish.; Butter: ½ cup of unsalted butter, melted. Melted butter adds richness and helps bind the breadcrumbs and Parmesan, contributing to the crispiness and flavor.; Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil adds healthy fats and enhances the flavor while preventing the fish from drying out during baking.; Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice brightens the flavors and cuts through the richness, adding a refreshing zest to the fish.; Dried Parsley: 2 tablespoons of dried parsley. Parsley adds a touch of herbaceousness and visual appeal to the dish. Fresh parsley can also be used, chopped finely, but dried parsley holds up well during baking.; Salt: 1 teaspoon of salt, or to taste. Salt enhances all the flavors and is essential for seasoning the fish and the topping.; Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor.; Optional: Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat). If you like a little kick, red pepper flakes add a subtle warmth that complements the garlic and parmesan.

Ingredients

Fish Fillets: 2 pounds of firm white fish fillets, such as cod, haddock, halibut, or tilapia. Choose your favorite, fresh or thawed, ensuring they are skinless and boneless for easy preparation and even cooking.
Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The nutty, salty flavor of Parmesan is key to the crispy crust. Freshly grated is highly recommended for better texture and melt.
Breadcrumbs: 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs. Panko provides a superior crispiness compared to regular breadcrumbs, creating that desirable crunchy topping.
Garlic: 4 cloves of garlic, minced. Freshly minced garlic is crucial for that pungent, aromatic garlic flavor that permeates the dish.
Butter: ½ cup of unsalted butter, melted. Melted butter adds richness and helps bind the breadcrumbs and Parmesan, contributing to the crispiness and flavor.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil adds healthy fats and enhances the flavor while preventing the fish from drying out during baking.
Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice brightens the flavors and cuts through the richness, adding a refreshing zest to the fish.
Dried Parsley: 2 tablespoons of dried parsley. Parsley adds a touch of herbaceousness and visual appeal to the dish. Fresh parsley can also be used, chopped finely, but dried parsley holds up well during baking.
Salt: 1 teaspoon of salt, or to taste. Salt enhances all the flavors and is essential for seasoning the fish and the topping.
Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor.
Optional: Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat). If you like a little kick, red pepper flakes add a subtle warmth that complements the garlic and parmesan.

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Ensuring your oven is properly preheated is crucial for even cooking and achieving that desired crispy crust. While the oven is heating, lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the fish from sticking and makes for easier cleanup later. You can use cooking spray or a bit of olive oil to grease the dish.
Prepare the Fish Fillets: If your fish fillets are particularly thick, consider patting them dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture, which will help the crispy topping adhere better and prevent the fish from steaming instead of baking. Arrange the fish fillets in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Make sure they are not overlapping too much, as this can hinder even cooking.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Topping: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. If you are using red pepper flakes, add them now as well. Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. The mixture should be slightly crumbly but moist enough to clump together slightly. The melted butter acts as a binder, ensuring the topping sticks to the fish.
Apply the Topping to the Fish: Evenly distribute the garlic Parmesan topping over the fish fillets. Gently press the topping down slightly to ensure it adheres to the fish. You want to create a generous layer of topping, but avoid making it too thick, which could prevent the fish from cooking through properly. The topping should cover the surface of each fillet, creating a delicious crust as it bakes.
Bake the Fish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of your fish fillets. You’ll know the fish is done when it turns opaque and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overbake the fish, as it can become dry. Start checking for doneness around the 15-minute mark.
Broil for Extra Crispiness (Optional): If you desire an even crispier and more golden-brown topping, you can broil the fish for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a very close eye on it while broiling, as the topping can burn quickly under the broiler. Position the baking dish on a higher rack in the oven, closer to the broiler, and broil just until the topping is nicely browned and bubbly. Remove from the oven immediately to prevent burning.
Rest and Serve: Once the fish is cooked and the topping is golden and crispy to your liking, remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the fish rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful fish. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a lemon wedge, if desired, and serve immediately while it’s hot and crispy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 550
Protein: 50g