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Home Fish recipes

Emergency EASY Fish recipe – Parmesan Crumbed Fish!

By:Nagi
Published:21 Aug '19Updated:22 Sep '21
259 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

10 minute, insanely EASY Fish Recipe with high returns for very minimal effort! This Parmesan Crumbed Fish has a crunchy golden garlicky crumb – and guess what? NO MESSY DREDGING.

Bonus: Super healthy fish recipe, clocking in at at just 260 calories per serving!

Easy Fish recipe - Parmesan Crumbed Fish served over cauliflower mash

EASY Fish recipe!

I love a good crispy Pan Fried Fish, and sure it only takes 7 minutes to make but we all have those days when we just can’t deal with flour dusting and stove-top oil splatter. Right??

So this Parmesan Crusted Fish is a recipe that I came up with in my former corporate days. I called it an Emergency Fish recipe because it’s one of the most effortless fish dinners I know – if not THE most effortless – with high returns for very small effort and the added bonus that it’s healthy.

For 3 minutes of your time, this is what I can give you:

  • perfectly cooked juicy fish

  • crunchy golden garlicky parmesan crumb (it’s so delicious, you’ll want to eat it straight out of the bowl!)

  • no stove mess

  • wholesome, made from scratch

  • a fish dinner that’s incredibly quick ‘n easy yet makes no sacrifices on the deliciousness factor!

The way I cook this fish is a little unorthodox – but it’s a highly effective, no fail method!

Close up of fork showing juicy inside of Baked Fish with Parmesan Crumb

My emergency Easy Fish Recipe: how to make it

Once you see how I make this, you’ll understand why it’s my Emergency Fish recipe!!

How to make Emergency Easy Fish Recipe

  1. Parmesan Crumb –  Shove a couple of garlic cloves through a garlic crusher, mix with store bought grated parmesan (the sandy type), breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and swish of oil. Parsley is totally optional here!

  2. Mustard “glue” – Spread mustard on the fish, just like buttering toast! The mustard is our glue for the crumb (avoid messy dredging in egg) as well as adding some flavour;

  3. Press fish into crumb mixture;

  4. Marvel at how it sticks on perfectly!

  5. Lay into PREHEATED skillet and pop under broiler/grill OR bake it- preheating the skillet cooks the fish on the underside while the heat elements cook it from the top and makes the crumb beautifully golden;

  6. 5 minutes later, marvel (again!) at how beautifully golden the crumb is and how perfectly the fish is cooked!

What you need

And here’s what you need for my Emergency Easy Fish recipe.

Parsley is optional! And any fish will work here, though anything thicker than 2cm / 4/5″ thick should be cooked in the oven rather than using the broiler/grill (directions in recipe).

Ingredients for super easy fish recipe

Raw fish and parmesan crumb mixture for easy fish recipe

Super fast fish recipe

This fish recipe can be cooked in under the grill/broiler OR in the oven, but my preferred method is using the boiler for 2 reasons:

  • it’s faster – a 2 cm / 4/5″ thicken white fish fillet will cook in 5 – 6 minute flat., about half the time it takes in the oven; and

  • the closer contact to the heat source makes the crumb wonderfully golden without overcooking the fish. If you use the oven, you can either flick the broiler on at the end, or if you want a really golden crumb, use my method to toast the breadcrumbs in the oven before crumbing the fish, like I do for my baked Homemade Filet-O-Fish.

What to serve with Parmesan Crumbed Fish

This fish is pictured in post served over Creamy Mashed Cauliflower because I had it on hand (loving having a tub of it on standby!) but in my corporate days, this Garlic White Bean Mash In A Flash was a regular.

But honestly, for a quick meal, toast up some bread, grab a handful of leafy greens, drizzle with oil and lemon juice, pinch of salt and pepper – and voila!

Dinner. On the table in 10 minutes! – Nagi x

Overhead photo of Parmesan Crumbed Fish (easy baked fish recipe) on a plate, ready to be eaten

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Watch how to make it

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Easy Fish recipe - Parmesan Crumbed Fish served over cauliflower mash

Healthy Parmesan Garlic Crumbed Fish

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 7 minutes mins
Total: 12 minutes mins
Fish
Western
4.96 from 84 votes
Servings2
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 895
Recipe video above. Packed generously with a thick, crunchy coating of parmesan and garlic breadcrumbs, this is one fish that everyone is sure to love. Using this recipe, you'll get perfectly golden crumbs and perfectly cooked fish every time. And the clincher? It's on the table in just over 10 minutes. I made this using perch fillets (skin off) but you can use any firm white fish fillets.

Ingredients

  • 2 firm white fish fillets (about 5 oz / 150g each), skin off, at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard (sub mayo)
  • Olive oil spray
  • Salt and pepper

Crumb

  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp parsley , finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup (30g) parmesan , finely grated
  • 1 garlic clove , minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat grill / broiler on high.
  • Combine the Crumb ingredients and mix well to combine.
  • Sprinkle both sides of fish with salt and pepper, then spread the mustard on the top of each fillet (top only).
  • Press the mustard smeared side of the fish into the crumb mixture. Press down firmly to make it stick. Then spray with oil (for extra golden crumb!).
  • Drizzle 1/2 tbsp oil in a skillet and preheat on the stove over high heat.
  • Once skillet is hot, place the fillets in the hot pan then place under the grill / broiler (about 5"/15cm from the heat source) for 5 - 6 minutes until the crumb is golden and the fish is cooked, rotating as required. Fish should flake in centre once cooked.
  • Oven option: bake at 220C/390F for 10 - 12 minutes, then finish under the grill/broiler on high to make the crumb golden.
  • Serve immediately with lemon wedges!

Recipe Notes:

1. Cook time: The fillets I used were about 2cm / 4/5" thick and they took about 6 minutes to cook.
2. Side suggestion - pictured in post with Creamy Mashed Cauliflower (low carb, super tasty alternative to mashed potato!). This Garlic White Bean Mash In A Flash is also a handy quick side. For a quick meal, toast up some bread, grab a handful of leafy greens, drizzle with oil and lemon juice, pinch of salt and pepper - and voila!
3. Nutrition per serving, fish only.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 149gCalories: 263cal (13%)Carbohydrates: 11.7g (4%)Protein: 32.5g (65%)Fat: 9.1g (14%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Cholesterol: 136mg (45%)Sodium: 263mg (11%)Potassium: 414mg (12%)Fiber: 0.5g (2%)Vitamin A: 250IU (5%)Vitamin C: 6.6mg (8%)Calcium: 190mg (19%)Iron: 1.6mg (9%)
Keywords: easy fish recipe, fish dinner
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Originally published July 2014. Updated with new photos, new writing, brand new video and most importantly, Life of Dozer section added!

Life of Dozer

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259 Comments

  1. Fotini says

    December 11, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    I am not a mustard girl. What can i use instead?

    Reply
  2. David Foster says

    December 10, 2023 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    Made this for the family last night (with Coral Trout). Easily the best quick fish dish I’ve ever made and it was very well received.
    The mustard gave it a piquancy that made the taste buds sit up and take notice.
    Made it with the Garlic White Bean Mash which didn’t go so well, something to work on.

    Reply
  3. Tricia Nicholls says

    December 6, 2023 at 7:06 pm

    5 stars
    Quick, easy, tasty and healthy,
    Perfect

    Reply
  4. Half Baked Cook says

    September 24, 2023 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    What an absolute winner! As always, this recipe took about the time that was recommended. Being the half baked cook that I am I accidentally put crushed ginger, then realised and added the crushed garlic as well anyway. It was awesome. I only had grated Parmesan, which worked well. I decided on the oven then grill option. That went very well. Thank you again Nagi. Recipe Tin Eats is my and my husband’s go to for recipes, and we’re never disappointed!

    Reply
  5. Cynthia Mitchell says

    August 4, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious and easy! Always have some white fish in the freezer ready for quick and easy meals like this one. Love the Dijon mustard!

    Reply
  6. Laura Boswell says

    June 24, 2023 at 10:54 pm

    5 stars
    This is a winning dish! My husband and I both love to fish, and I have tried many recipes. We cooked our snapper fillets with this recipe and absolutely loved it! My hubby said this was a “do-over!”

    Reply
  7. Shelley Ross says

    May 3, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    5 stars
    Great tasty fish dish. We loved it and will certainly cook this again. Served it with a vege stir fry. 😋

    Reply
  8. Rebecca Z says

    April 20, 2023 at 1:32 am

    5 stars
    I make this recipe a lot and love it 💗 We now have a air fryer and do you think this recipe would work in the air fryer?

    Reply
  9. Fabiola says

    April 7, 2023 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good quick and easy as I normally do the flour egg crumb thing. Cut time down and I had less dishes to contend with. The mustard really worked which I was curious to see if the flavour profile would work and it did. I used basa fillets and crushed up corn flakes (we had no panko crumbs or bread crumbs or bread in the house) Seved this with home made potatoe chips and a avocadoe, tomatoe hallumi salad.

    Reply
  10. Hillary Lui says

    March 13, 2023 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    So so so good

    Reply
  11. Lynda says

    March 8, 2023 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    Best fish recipe ever. Made with barramundi and a side of slaw. Awesome – thank you!

    Reply
  12. Leanne says

    February 13, 2023 at 9:15 pm

    5 stars
    This is my go to meal when I want something easy and tasty! Such a simple recipe but never disappoints! I’ve made this with both Barramundi and Snapper. I prefer the Barramundi while my boyfriend prefers the Snapper. Both were great!

    Reply
  13. Kathryn R says

    October 8, 2022 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    A husband who is picky about fish and a wife (me) who appreciates a simple yet Delicious recipe, this was a perfect dish! Thank you for this

    Reply
  14. Teri says

    September 12, 2022 at 10:23 am

    5 stars
    I make this 1-2 times per month. Always delicious and so easy! I use tilapia and half mayo, half Dijon.

    Reply
  15. S Thornburg says

    August 18, 2022 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    I make this routinely…It is FANTASTIC!!! Years ago my Mom gave me a recipe like this and I misplaced it but I got to say this is MUCH better…Even people that snub fish will devour this…it’s really THAT GOOD!..Used Cod because it’s mild and I love the flakiness of the fish when cooked… never bored with this recipe…NEVER. I like to serve this with steamed fresh broccoli with lemon zest…and squeeze some lemon juice over both the fish and broccoli….Delicious! Also…I have used Gulden’s Spicy Brown mustard when out of Dijon and also 1 Tbsp. of dried parsley when I didn’t have fresh… the dried parsley will reconstitute when you mix it with the olive oil and let it sit a while…

    Reply
  16. Laura says

    August 5, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    5 stars
    Woweeee! So good. I used snapper and the oven method. This will definitely be on high rotation

    Reply
  17. Donna says

    July 21, 2022 at 9:23 am

    5 stars
    Made it exactly as written. Incredible! I will make this again, thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  18. John says

    July 4, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    May I ask in the video, what was the sauce or dressing spooned onto the fish (right before the squeeze of lemon) ?

    Reply
    • Skizzid says

      February 2, 2023 at 1:40 pm

      5 stars
      The pan juices

      Reply
  19. Tricia Nicholls says

    June 3, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    I made this tonight with fresh wild caught barramundi, it was amazing.
    Did the oven method.
    Will definitely now be on rotation here.

    Reply
  20. Rachel says

    June 1, 2022 at 8:54 pm

    5 stars
    I hate to be one of those commenters who didn’t actually follow the recipe… But the store did NOT have the ingredients so I ended up having to make this with frozen whiting, regular homebrand breadcrumbs, in the oven and it was SO GOOD. The whole family raved about it and the four of us polished off 8 fish fillets! I’ll definitely be making this again. And again. And again! Thanks for another day-saver of a recipe, Nagi!

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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