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Baked Cod

Buttery, flakey and mild, this baked cod recipe is what you need for a weeknight dinner perfection.

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homemade baked cod seasoned with butter, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt & pepper served with asparagus and rice
Photography by Gayle McLeod

The Best Baked Cod Recipe

What we love most about baked cod shines through in this recipe: it’s simple to make, budget-friendly, and, most of all, moist, and juicy! For all the folks that roll their eyes at the thought of cod, this recipe will win hearts and minds. The delicate, yet hearty filet cooks at high heat for a short amount of time, resulting in a flakey, tender, buttery cod filet, sophisticated enough for an elevated experience but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Cod baked in oven is an excellent introduction for people who might not like fish and a blank slate for whatever you pair it with because it’s so mild. In 15 minutes, you’ll have a quick healthy meal that is low in fat and loaded with B vitamins for the entire family. Wondering how else to prepare this delicious dish? Check out Baked Cod with Parsley Olive Tapenade for inspiration!

raw cod filets, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt , pepper and parsley in bowls to make baked cod

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What Do You Need For Easy Baked Cod

You don’t need many ingredients for melt-in-your-mouth healthy baked cod with butter. In our recipe for baked cod, you’ll need the following eight ingredients:

  • Unsalted butter

  • Garlic powder

  • Onion powder

  • Paprika

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly cracked black pepper

  • Fresh Cod

  • Fresh parsley

cod filets in a baking dish brushed with melted butter and seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt & pepper

What To Serve With Baked Cod

We like to think that a baked cod fillet is the ideal vehicle for pops of flavor. It pairs naturally with Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Reduction, Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan, or Panzanella! It also accompanies potatoes oh-so-perfectly, so we’ve curated a list of 30 Best Potato Recipes, our favorites being Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, and Crispy Shallot Mashed Potatoes. For a cozy dinner, try it with Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. If you're looking for healthier options, we love Simple Green Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette, Steamed Broccoli, Roasted Carrots, and Creamed Spinach. When in doubt, start with a bubbling crock of French Onion Soup and let the deliciousness follow.

How Long to Bake Cod

Follow these step-by-step instructions for how to bake cod:

  1. Prepare the seasoning! Simple is best – we like the cod to shine! Combine melted butter with garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

  2. Brush and bake: Pat dry to achieve a golden-brown, slightly crispy outside! Then, carefully brush the cod filet with the marinade mixture. Bake at 450°F, undisturbed for 10-12 minutes, or when it flakes on your fork.

  3. Enjoy! Garnish your buttery, tender oven baked cod with fresh parsley.


While other baked cod recipes might bake their cod at 350°F, or 400°F, our tried and tested recipe found that the tenderest of cod was best at 450°F.

baked cod cooked in melted butter and seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt & pepper

Tools You’ll Need For Buttery Baked Cod

Our Favorite Fish Recipes!

When looking for a light, elegant option that packs the protein, we turn to our favorite fish recipes. Salmon, cod, and other hearty fish are neutral in flavor and pair well with almost any bright flavor from citrus, tomato, or herbs. We like:

homemade baked cod seasoned with butter, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt & pepper served with asparagus and rice

Craving Cod?

Did you make our easy baked cod recipe? We’d love to see it, and maybe, even the beautiful people you shared it with. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

Baked Cod

  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time:  5 min
  • Cook Time:  10 min
  • Calories: 201

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1½ pounds cod
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the top position.

  2. In a small bowl combine butter, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

  3. Pat the cod dry with paper towels. Arrange the cod on a rimmed baking sheet, then brush the top of each filet with seasoned butter. Bake on the top rack until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, 10-12 minutes.

  4. Garnish the cod with parsley before serving.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories201
  • Protein31 g
  • Carbohydrates2 g
  • Total Fat7 g
  • Dietary Fiber1 g
  • Cholesterol88 mg
  • sodium574 mg
  • Total Sugars0 g

Baked Cod

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Raider

    Can't you throw it oven frozen?

    You can , it will probably take closer to 20/25 minutes to bake.

  • Carole

    Easy, delicately delicious, and perfect!

    Thanks Carole!

  • Kay

    Easy, healthy, delicious, perfect.

    Thanks Kay!