10+ Baked Cod Recipes for Easy and Delicious Weeknight Dinners

Baked cod recipes make it easy to enjoy a tasty, healthy meal—without much fuss. Cod’s a mild white fish that cooks up fast, so it’s perfect for those nights when you don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen.

You can get great flavor with just a handful of ingredients. There’s really no need to get fancy unless you want to.

Baking cod lets you whip up a dish that’s moist, flaky, and super easy to tweak with your favorite seasonings. Love garlic, lemon, herbs, or maybe a crunchy topping? You can make baked cod your own, no matter your cooking skills.

Ingredients:

• Cod fillets
• Olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon (optional)
• Garlic (optional)
• Herbs or spices (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels.

3. Lightly oil a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

4. Season the fish with salt and pepper and add any other preferred toppings.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

1) Garlic Herb Baked Cod with Butter Sauce

Garlic herb baked cod with butter sauce is ridiculously simple. It cooks up fast and gives you flaky, tender fish every time.

The garlic and fresh herbs add a bright, savory kick that works perfectly with the buttery sauce. Start by coating your cod fillets with melted butter, garlic, and herbs like parsley and thyme.

Bake the fish in a hot oven until it’s just cooked through. The butter sauce keeps things moist and gives a nice golden finish.

You can serve this with rice, veggies, or just a quick salad—whatever you’ve got handy.

Ingredients

• Cod fillets
• Butter
• Garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).

2. Mix melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

3. Place cod fillets on a baking sheet and brush the butter mixture evenly over them.

4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.

5. Serve hot with your choice of sides.

2) Mediterranean-Style Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic

This one’s a breeze—just cod baked with a bright lemon and garlic sauce. You’ll get it on the table in about 20 to 25 minutes.

Lemon brings tang, garlic and parsley add savory notes, and you can do it all in one dish. Cleanup’s easy, which is always a win.

Serve it with veggies or rice. The fish stays tender and moist, thanks to the gentle baking and flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb cod fillets
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place cod in a baking dish.

3. Mix butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

4. Pour sauce over cod.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until fish flakes easily.

6. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

For more details, see this Mediterranean baked cod with lemon and garlic recipe.

3) Baked Cod with White Wine and Cracker Topping

Place cod fillets in a baking dish, then pour a splash of white wine over them. That adds a light flavor and keeps the cod moist as it bakes.

Crush Ritz crackers into coarse crumbs and mix them with melted butter and herbs. Sprinkle this over the fish.

Bake your cod at 400°F (200°C). The crackers turn golden and crunchy, giving the fish a nice contrast.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets (6 to 8 ounces each), skinless and boneless
• 1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs (about 15 crackers)
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/4 cup white wine
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like parsley or thyme)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.

3. Pour white wine over the fillets.

4. Mix crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, herbs, salt, and pepper.

5. Sprinkle cracker mixture evenly on top of the cod.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish flakes easily and topping is golden.

4) Oven-Baked Cod with Olive Oil and Cayenne Pepper

This one’s as basic as it gets, but the flavor’s spot-on. Drizzle olive oil over your cod fillets.

Sprinkle a little cayenne pepper for a mild kick—adjust it if you want more or less heat. Add salt to taste.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes. The fish should flake easily with a fork.

Serve it with a salad or some steamed veggies if you want to keep things light.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (500g) cod fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.

3. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the fish.

4. Sprinkle cayenne pepper and salt on top.

5. Bake for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

5) Cod Fillets with Lemon, Basil, and Red Pepper

Lemon, fresh basil, and red pepper make baked cod bright and fresh. The lemon keeps things juicy, basil adds a sweet herbal note, and red pepper brings a little crunch.

Place cod fillets in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Lay lemon slices right on top.

Sprinkle on fresh basil for an aromatic boost. Bake at 425°F (220°C) until the fish flakes easily.

Add the red pepper slices for the last 5 minutes so they stay crisp. This one’s healthy and super simple.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets (6 oz each)
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 1 small red pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.

3. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the fillets.

4. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Arrange lemon slices on top of the fish.

6. Bake for 12 minutes.

7. Add red pepper slices, bake 5 more minutes.

8. Remove from oven and sprinkle chopped basil before serving.

6) Ina Garten’s Baked Cod with Herb Cracker Crumbs

Ina Garten’s baked cod is topped with a crunchy mix of Ritz cracker crumbs, panko, fresh herbs, and garlic. It’s buttery and flavorful, but honestly, not much work at all.

The cod fillets bake quickly at 400°F (200°C). The topping adds texture and a pop of flavor from parsley and lemon zest.

Pair it with veggies or a salad if you want. You’ll get moist fish inside, crisp topping outside.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless cod fillets (6 to 8 ounces each)
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup Ritz cracker crumbs (about 15 crackers)
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Season cod with salt and pepper.

3. In a bowl, mix Ritz crumbs, panko, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, and melted butter.

4. Place cod in a baking dish and top each fillet with the crumb mixture.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

7) Quick Baked Cod with Lemon Slices

If you want dinner fast, just layer lemon slices on top of the fish. The lemon keeps the cod moist and adds a fresh, bright flavor.

You only need a few ingredients here. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes.

Check that the fish flakes with a fork before serving. This method is great for busy weeknights or whenever you want something light.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place cod fillets on a baking dish.

3. Drizzle olive oil over the fish and season with salt and pepper.

4. Lay lemon slices evenly on each fillet.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish flakes with a fork.

6. Garnish with parsley if you like and serve warm.

8) Baked Cod with Garlic and Fresh Herbs

This baked cod is all about simplicity. Garlic and fresh herbs give the fish a fresh, bright flavor.

Marinate the cod with olive oil, crushed garlic, and chopped herbs like parsley, thyme, or dill. Let it sit a few minutes to soak up the flavors.

Bake the fish at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 to 12 minutes. The kitchen will smell amazing, and the cod turns out tender and flaky.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon zest (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper.

3. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.

4. Spoon the garlic herb mixture over the fish.

5. Sprinkle lemon zest on top if you like.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The fish should flake easily when you poke it with a fork.

9) Perfectly Flaky Baked Cod in 15 Minutes

You can whip up flaky baked cod in no time at all. Just a handful of ingredients—lemon, olive oil, salt, and a bit of cayenne—let the fish shine.

Crank your oven up to 400°F (200°C).

Coat the cod in olive oil and scatter the seasonings over it.

Pop it in the oven for about 12 to 15 minutes.

Check if the fish flakes apart with a fork; that’s your cue it’s done.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Brush cod with olive oil.

3. Sprinkle salt, cayenne, and lemon zest over fillets.

4. Place fillets on a baking sheet.

5. Squeeze lemon juice over the cod.

6. Bake for 12-15 minutes. The fish should flake apart easily.

10) Baked Cod with a Crispy Parmesan Crust

Making cod with a crispy Parmesan crust is honestly easier than it sounds. You get tender, flaky fish inside and a golden, crunchy topping.

All you need are a few basics—Parmesan, panko, and a squeeze of lemon.

If you’ve got buttermilk, give the fish a quick dip so the crust actually sticks.

Bake it off until the top looks perfectly crisp and golden.

Pair your cod with veggies or a salad if you’re feeling healthy, or just eat it straight from the pan. Who’s judging?

Ingredients

• Cod fillets
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Buttermilk
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil or melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Dip each cod fillet in buttermilk.

3. In a bowl, mix together Parmesan, panko, salt, and pepper.

4. Press this crumb mixture onto the fillets so it sticks well.

5. Lay the fillets out on a greased baking sheet.

6. Drizzle them with a bit of olive oil or some melted butter—whichever you prefer.

7. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The crust should turn golden and crisp.

8. Serve right away with lemon wedges on the side.