Have you got some frozen fish that you want to fancy up? Then this Italian herb crusted cod is the perfect recipe for you! Made with items from your freezer and pantry, this is an easy weeknight dinner for those days when you want a slightly fancier meal, but would rather let the oven do the work.
Love this combination of herbs? Have a peek at my Italian herb chicken for another tasty meal!
Fish is such a family favourite in my home, but plain fish can feel a little boring. If you would like some recipes using frozen fish that have a crust to make them feel more special, or a different way of cooking, then you may like to see my baked cod with pesto and sweet potato and ginger fish cakes.
And for another crusted fish, but without breadcrumbs, my almond crusted cod is easy and delicious!
This herb crusted cod is the perfect combination of being super simple to make, but feeling a little fancy for a weekday meal! Pair with vegetables and potatoes for a tasty meal all the family will enjoy!
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⭐ Why this recipe is so good
- Full of flavour: the herb crust really transforms a piece of plain cod into something a little special.
- Easy recipe: simply combine the crust ingredients and then pat onto your fish.
- Versatile: pair with the sides of your choice.
🦀 Ingredients
This herb crusted cod recipe has minimal ingredients, and mostly pantry (or freezer!) staples. You will need:
- Cod: this recipe uses frozen cod, so simply turn to the freezer!
- Bread: to make the breadcrumbs. Use gluten free bread if required.
- Butter: to bind the crust topping.
- Herbs: see below for the typical Italian herbs!
- Garlic: for a hint of extra flavour.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Making this Italian herb crusted cod is a very simple three-step process:
Step 1
Bake your fish, covered, in an ovenproof dish for around 15 minutes.
Step 2
Make the Italian herb crust topping by combining all the ingredients and stirring well.
Step 3
Spread the topping onto the fish and return to the oven to bake until cooked through, around 10-15 minutes. Serve with sides of your choice.
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- If you prefer to be dairy-free, then swap out the butter for olive oil.
- When you take the fish out of the oven after baking for 15 minutes, you can remove some of the excess liquid with a small spoon if you prefer.
- Don't worry about the crust being perfect! It's more of a 'rustic' pat in onto the fish situation!
📋 Frequently asked questions
Any white fish would work well. I like to use pollock for this recipe as well as cod.
If you are gluten free then be sure to use a certified gluten free bread to make the crust.
No, feel free to use the herbs you enjoy most for the herb crust to make this cod dish!
🥬 Making your own Italian seasoning
While I use the Schwartz Italian herb seasoning, you can make your own blend if you have the individual herbs at home and the recipe card below has the individual herbs for those that don't have the mix. Plus, if you have a favourite herb or one that you aren't too keen on, then you can adjust the flavour. My Italian seasoning substitutes will give you more ideas!
For my low histamine friends, all the herbs in the Schwartz jar score as 0 on the SIGHI list, with the exception of Marjoram which isn't listed and black pepper. Garlic does score 1, but is described as usually being well-tolerated after cooking. If you prefer to leave that one out then why not make your own blend with individual herbs: Basil, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary
🍽 More tasty fish recipes
Find so many tasty fish dishes here, including my honey ginger baked cod, cod with pistachio herb crumb topping and my fun baked cod with mango salsa. Some recent recipes to enjoy:
I’m always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes. And please do leave a star rating ⭐ if you tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Italian Herb Crusted Cod
Ingredients
- 2 cod fillets frozen
- ½ teaspoon dried or fresh parsley
For the herb crust
- 1 teaspoon butter
- ⅓ slice of bread blended to breadcrumbs
- 1 garlic clove minced or finely diced
- ⅓ teaspoon dried sage
- ⅓ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200C / 390F. Once at temperature, place your frozen fish in an ovenproof dish and cover with a piece of foil. Bake for 15 minutes.
- While the fish is cooking make the crust topping with the breadcrumbs, herbs, butter, garlic and salt and pepper (if using). Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
- Once the fish has baked for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and discard the foil. Spread the crust mixture onto the fish fillets, patting down with the back of a spoon. Return the fish to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, depending upon the size of your fillet, until it is cooked through.
- Plate up the fish and serve with vegetables, potatoes or rice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer to be dairy-free, then swap out the butter for olive oil.
- When you take the fish out of the oven after baking for 15 minutes, you can remove some of the excess liquid with a small spoon if you prefer.
- Don't worry about the crust being perfect! It's more of a 'rustic' pat in onto the fish situation!
- Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- bread - wheat scores 1 and has a ? as a liberator. Be mindful of other ingredients in your bread of choice.
- garlic, which scores 1
- black pepper, which scores 2.
Sheryl says
I definitely need to try this one. Cod is one of my favourite fish. I could eat it steamed lightly. But anything cod is good by me!
throughthefibrofog says
I love cod too, and it's nice to have it a little more fancy sometimes!
Katie Clark says
I love the herb mix you use. I can see using that on many things. I love getting fish at restaurants but at home, I struggle with making any fish other than salmon on the grill. This looks doable and yummy!
throughthefibrofog says
It's very doable and I hope you enjoy it if you try it out!
Shruti Chopra says
What a beautiful yet simple dish! When people like me see something so beautiful, we always think it's going to be complicated - but this is not. Plus it's a great dish that doesn't require prepping - other than defrosting the fish, for which all you need to do is set a reminder! 😀
Thank you for always making it look simple.
throughthefibrofog says
Thanks Shruti! I don't even defrost the fish - goes straight in the oven! Always good to have simple recipes for busy days I feel.