This Blackened Cod recipe is baked instead of pan-seared making it a healthy, flavorful, and easy dinner. Seasoned with Homemade Blackening Seasoning and bright lemon, this 15-minute, 4-ingredient dinner is fuss-free, simple, and delicious.
Love fish? Also try my Blackened Swordfish, Blackened Salmon, and Blackened Mahi Mahi.
Blackened Cod recipe -Baked!
This Blackened Cod recipe is such a wonderful, healthy, and easy dinner. It tastes gourmet, but comes together in just 15 minutes, with just 4 ingredients, making it a fabulous dinner idea. Instead of traditionally pan-frying the fish, I opt to bake it because it's healthy and easy. You can't go wrong with this tender, flaky, and buttery fish which is made super flavorful with a Louisanna-inspired Homemade Blackening Seasoning.
Serve this with Baby Roasted Potatoes and Roasted Garlic Green Beans for a fast dinner, made in just 20 minutes that everyone will love. It's a great way to add more fish or seafood to your diet.
This recipe just happens to also be low-carb, keto, low-calorie, clean eating, pescatarian, and gluten-free.
Why is it called blackened cod?
Blackened Cod or Blackened Fish refers specifically to the cooking style of blackening, which is a cajun cooking technique where the fish is coated with blackening seasonings which is a zesty blend of paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and spices. It's then pan-seared in a hot cast iron skillet until you get a blackened crust. The dark blend of spices coats the fish in a dark color that resembles, blackening it.
You can mix your own with my recipe or buy storebought. This one is my favorite. This style of cooking fish originates from New Orleans.
While blackened fish is traditionally pan-seared I have modified this recipe to make it easier and less fussy, by baking it in the oven. This isn't exactly traditional BUT it's still really good and makes this meal the kind you can add to your weekday meal rotation, especially for the beginner cook.
Baked Blackened Cod from Running in a Skirt Share on X
Why You'll Love this Baked Blackened Cod Recipe...
- You'll love the Baked Blackened Cod recipe because it's only 4 ingredients and is ready in just 15 minutes.
- It's not nearly as fussy as pan-searing the fish, which can be messy and leave the house smelly.
- Cod is a fabulous, underrated fish to cook with that's healthy, tender, has a great texture, andis not that expensive. It's a healthy fish that's low in calories, high in protei,n and is widely available and easy to cook.
- It's a fabulous clean eating dinner, you can feel good serving your family! Baked cod is so delicious.
- You can make this spicy or not, depending on your taste.
- It goes well with so many side dishes and even on a salad.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Baked Blackened Cod recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Cod Filets: You'll need codfish fish filets that are 4-6 ounces each and about ½ inch thick. You can use any variety of cod including Alaskan cod, Pacific cod, and black cod, also known as sablefish. You can use fresh or frozen fillet, just make sure to thaw out the fish overnight in the fridge. The fish should not have a stinky or fishy aroma. To prep the fish, pat it dry with a paper towel. Sometimes frozen cod can store water, so make sure to get it dry and remove the excess moisture.
- Butter: Butter is a traditional ingredient in blackened fish, so I include it here instead of olive oil. I think it brings out flavors in this dish and makes it a bit more tender. A little goes a long way here in bringing out the flavors. If you are dairy-free or really don't like cooking with butter you can easily make the swap to olive oil.
- Blackening Seasoning: I like to use my Homemade Blackening Seasoning which is the perfect spice blend of paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. You can make your own or buy a pre-made version. Here are a few ones you can buy: Zatarains Blackened Seasoning, Emeril's Blackened Seasoning Blend, Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blends - Blackened Redfish Magic (My favorite!)
- Lemon: Fresh lemon brings out the flavors in the cod dish and balances the spice of the blackening seasoning. Use part of the lemon for juice, and the rest cut into lemon wedges for a garnish.
Pro Tip: Blackening Seasoning usually already has a good amount of salt and pepper in it, so you generally will not need to add extra. Check your seasoning mix to see if it's included or if you need to add more.
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Baked Blackened Cod recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray. For easy clean up you could also line the pan with foil or parchment paper.
- Take your cod fish fillets and put it in a baking dish and pat it dry with a paper towel.
- Brush them with melted butter.
- Generously coat the cod with the blackening seasoning spice mixture.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it. Fish cooking time can vary from the exact size of the fish and your oven temperature, so watch it. The fish will be done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Squeeze the fish with a lemon juice wedge and parsley and serve immediately.
Baked Blackened Cod Variations
I love this Baked Blackened Cod recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Make it Spicy: Add an extra sprinkle of cayenne pepper to bring up the heat.
- Make it Dairy Free: To make this dairy-free use olive oil or dairy-free butter.
- Make it Cajun: Cajun seasoning spices, creole seasoning, and Blackening Seasoning are very similar. You can use a Cajun Spice Mix if you can't find Blackening Seasoning.
- Mix Up the Fish: You can easily make this same recipe with almost any type of white fish. Also, try my Blackened Mahi Mahi Blackened Swordish or Blackened Salmon. You can also try halibut, snapper, seabass, or grouper.
Topping Suggestions:
Serve this Blackened cod plain like shown, or add some fun toppings and sauce ideas to take your dinner to the next level.
- Mango Salsa
- Cilantro Lime Pesto
- Mango Avocado Salsa
- Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
- Pineapple Salsa
- Peach Salsa
- Avocado Feta Dip
- Basil Almond Pesto
- Healthy Ranch Dressing
- Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
You can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container. I think it's best enjoyed freshly cooked out of the oven, but it does keep. To reheat it, put it in the microwave for about 1 minute.
Freezing
I would not re-freeze the cooked fish because it would turn mushy.
What is the difference between grilled and blackened cod?
Grilled cod refers to codfish that is cooked on a grill. It can be seasoned in different ways. Blackened cod, like this recipe refers to the seasoning blend put on the fish and the cooking style, which traditionally pan-sears it. Blackened cod will have a rich black color from the flavorful seasoning blend and grilled cod can have any seasoning blend.
What is the best cooking technique for cod?
Cod is an easy, approachable fish to cook that can be made in so many ways including baking like this. It's one of the best ways to cook it because it's easy, health,y and fuss-free. You can also pan-sear, fry, grill, or smoke cod.
This Baked Blackened Cod is a Perfect Healthy Dinner!
This Baked Blackened Cod recipe is so tender and delicious, making it the perfect healthy dinner. You can serve this dish with so many easy and healthy side dishes like rice and vegetables to create a well-rounded and delicious meal that's flavorful. It feels like a fancy restaurant meal, but it will be our secret on how easy it actually is.
Serve it with your favorite sides, or try a few of my yummy suggestions below. You can even put it in tacos or a wrap for blackened fish tacos or fish wrap.
Serving Suggestions:
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
- Parmesan Ranch Cauliflower
- Roasted Lemon Garlic Broccoli
- Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Healthy Cole Slaw
- Lemon Garlic Kale
- Oven Baked Parmesan Garlic Potato Wedges
- Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
- Roasted Garlic Green Beans
More Healthy Fish Recipes to Try:
- Blackened Swordfish
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Blackened Salmon
- Lemon Pepper Tilapia
- Panko Parmesan Crusted Halibut
- Tilapia Veracruz
- Seared Ahi Tuna Tacos
- Healthy Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
- Teriyaki Salmon Bowls
- Pesto Salmon
- Foil Packet Fish
- Salmon with Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
- Everything But the Bagel Salmon
If you make this Baked Blackened Cod recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Baked Blackened Cod
Ingredients
- 2 cod fillets, about 6 ounces
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ tablespoon blackening seasoning
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pat the cod dry with paper towels. Put the fillets into the baking dish. Brush them with melted butter.
- Generously sprinkle the fish with blackening seasoning.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes with a fork. Don't overcook it or it will dry out.
- Squeeze with lemon and serve immediatly.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later:
Leave a Reply