Baked Haddock with Lemon and Herb Crumb (Printable)
Tender haddock fillets with a golden lemon and herb breadcrumb crust. Light, flavorful, and simple enough for weeknight dinners.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 haddock fillets, skinless and boneless, about 5-6 oz each
→ Lemon & Herb Crumb
02 - 1.5 cups fresh breadcrumbs
03 - Zest of 1 lemon
04 - 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, or 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 3.5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
11 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ To Serve
12 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Pat the haddock fillets dry with kitchen paper. Place them on the prepared tray, spacing them slightly apart.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley, chives, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in melted butter and olive oil, stirring with a fork until evenly moistened and crumbly.
04 - Spoon the lemon and herb crumb mixture evenly over each haddock fillet, pressing gently to ensure it adheres to the fish.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the crumb topping is golden brown.
06 - Transfer to serving plates immediately and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between the crispy herbed topping and the tender, flaky fish underneath creates a texture thats almost magical on your palate.
- Its fancy enough for company but simple enough that you can throw it together on a busy weeknight when you need something restorative and clean.
02 -
- Overbaking fish is the quickest way to ruin it, so start checking for doneness at the 12-minute mark, especially if your fillets are on the thinner side.
- The breadcrumb mixture can be prepared up to a day ahead and kept refrigerated, which makes assembly lightning quick when youre ready to cook.
03 -
- For an extra special touch, mix a tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan into the crumb mixture, creating an umami-rich crust that browns beautifully.
- The residual heat will continue cooking the fish after you remove it from the oven, so always take it out when its just shy of being fully done.