Baked Haddock with Breadcrumbs (Printable Version)
Tender haddock fillets crowned with golden, herbed breadcrumbs. A simple, elegant seafood main dish ready in 28 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 haddock fillets, skinless and boneless, approximately 6 oz each
→ Breadcrumb Topping
02 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
04 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
05 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ For Baking
09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
10 - Lemon wedges for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to accommodate the fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat haddock fillets dry with paper towels and arrange them in the prepared baking dish. Brush the tops with melted butter.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parsley, lemon zest, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Mix until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
04 - Spoon and gently press the breadcrumb mixture onto the tops of the fillets, covering them evenly.
05 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden brown.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between the tender, flaky fish and the crispy, herbed breadcrumb topping creates this perfect textural magic that elevates a simple piece of fish into something special.
- Its almost embarrassingly simple to prepare but looks impressive enough for company, making it my go-to recipe when I want to appear far more culinarily accomplished than I actually am.
02 -
- Never skip patting the fish dry - I once rushed and skipped this step, resulting in a soggy topping that slid right off the fish when served.
- The breadcrumb mixture should be just moist enough to hold together when pressed, but not wet or pasty - add the olive oil gradually until you reach the perfect consistency.
03 -
- The breadcrumb topping can be prepared up to a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator - this makes weeknight dinner prep nearly instantaneous.
- For an extra layer of flavor, place a few thin slices of lemon under the fish before adding the breadcrumb topping - the gentle steam infuses the flesh with citrus notes from within.