Baked Cod Buttery Cracker Topping (Print)

Tender cod fillets baked with a crisp, buttery cracker topping for a comforting seafood dish.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 cod fillets, skinless and boneless, approximately 5 to 6 ounces each
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Crumb Topping

05 - 1 cup buttery crackers (e.g. Ritz), crushed, about 20 crackers
06 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika
10 - Zest of half a lemon

→ For Baking

11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for greasing the baking dish
12 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry using paper towels. Arrange them evenly in the greased baking dish. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed buttery crackers, melted unsalted butter, finely chopped parsley, garlic powder, paprika, and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients form coarse, buttery crumbs.
04 - Evenly distribute the crumb mixture over each cod fillet. Gently press down so the topping adheres securely.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden brown.
06 - Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The fish stays impossibly tender while the topping gets perfectly crispy, like you've hired a line cook for dinner.
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means weeknight seafood without the stress.
  • Nobody suspects buttery crackers can taste this sophisticated—it's your secret weapon.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the fish—wet fillets will steam under the topping instead of staying tender and flaky.
  • The topping continues to darken slightly after you remove the pan from the oven, so pull it out when it's just barely golden, not deep brown.
03 -
  • Make sure your butter is fully melted before mixing it with the crumbs so they distribute evenly and toast uniformly.
  • If your fillets are thicker than usual, add a couple extra minutes to the baking time and check that the center flakes easily with a fork.

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