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This crispy baked haddock recipe pairs flaky white fish with an irresistible buttery panko crust for an easy, flavor-packed weeknight dinner that comes together in under 20 minutes.
If I had to pick one fish recipe to convert a self-proclaimed fish skeptic, this would be the one. I keep this in our regular weeknight rotation because it’s fast—the haddock goes straight from the fridge to the table in about 20 minutes—and the results taste like they took so much more effort than they did. The Dijon and lemon punch through any hint of “fishiness,” the panko crust comes out golden and shatteringly crisp, and cleanup is one pan.
Haddock doesn’t get nearly as much love as baked salmon or cod, but it absolutely should. It’s mild, it’s affordable, and this buttery, garlicky panko-breaded coating transforms it into something so delicious with so little effort, similar to what I do with my panko Parmesan baked cod, but even faster.
What Is Haddock, and Why Is It Great for Baking?
Haddock is a lean white fish closely related to cod, but with a slightly milder flavor and a thinner fillet. It has a delicate, flaky texture that makes it ideal for oven baking. The fish stays moist on the inside while the topping gets golden and crisp on the outside.
Because haddock fillets are thinner than cod, they cook fast—we’re talking 7 minutes at 425°F. That speed is actually one of the things I love most about cooking haddock in the oven on a busy weeknight.
What if I can’t find Haddock?
Cod, pollock, flounder, or halibut all work well in this recipe. Just keep in mind that thicker fillets (like cod or halibut) may need a couple of extra minutes in the oven.
What Goes Into the Topping (And Why It Works)
The fish itself needs very little–just a pat dry and a pinch of salt. The topping is where all the flavor lives, and it’s what makes this recipe worth coming back to. Here’s what goes into it and what each ingredient is doing:
- Mayo: The unsung hero. It binds everything together and keeps the fish moist while it bakes, so you never end up with dry, chalky fish under the crust.
- Salted butter: Helps the panko turn golden brown in the oven. Set it out 30–45 minutes before you start. Room-temp butter incorporates smoothly; cold butter won’t mix in.
- Dijon mustard: Please don’t swap this for yellow mustard. Dijon has a complex, tangy depth that yellow mustard just can’t replicate. It’s subtle in the finished dish, but you’d absolutely notice if it were missing.
- Garlic powder: Adds a savory, aromatic backbone that carries through every bite.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Lighter and airier than regular breadcrumbs, which translates directly to a crispier crust. You can swap for Ritz crackers for a more traditional buttery flavor.
- Dried basil: Adds a gentle herbal sweetness that plays really well with the lemon.
- Lemon: Use half a lemon in the topping and save the rest for serving. The zest adds bright, aromatic flavor, while the juice cuts through the richness of the butter and mayo and makes everything taste lively.
The topping comes together in about 5 minutes and turns a plain piece of fish into a flavorful masterpiece.
How to Make Crispy Baked Haddock in the Oven
Preheat your oven, line a baking sheet, and pat the haddock dry before seasoning it with salt and pepper. Then, stir together all of the topping ingredients until it resembles a thick, crumbly paste. Press the topping onto the fish, bake, and serve!
How do I know when Haddock is Done?
Haddock filets can vary in thickness, and a thicker piece of fish will take longer to cook. For food safety, it’s recommended that you use a meat thermometer and make sure fish has reached an internal temperature of 145ºF before you serve it. The fish should look opaque when you cut into it and flake when you dig into it with a fork.
Serving Suggestions
I recommend serving this with roasted vegetables because you can roast the vegetables in the oven at the same time as you bake the haddock. A simple arugula salad works well, too! Here are some of my favorite veggie sides:
- Roasted cauliflower
- Pistachio pesto Brussels sprouts
- Garlic roasted green beans
- Roasted Parmesan broccoli
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Once your haddock has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will keep for 2-3 days, but I prefer to eat it within a day or two of cooking.
You can warm it up in an oven preheated to 350°F. The time will vary depending on how much you are heating up, but 8-10 minutes is usually a good estimate. You can also reheat haddock in the microwave, but especially since this is a breaded fish recipe, I find that the microwave method can make the outside a little soggy. The oven method warms your meal and keeps that bready exterior nice and crisp!
Crispy Baked Haddock
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) fresh haddock
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) salted butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Lemon zest of half a lemon
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 °F (218 °C) and prepare a rimmed baking sheet by spraying lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Gently pat dry both sides of the haddock then season with salt. Place on the baking sheet.1 pound (454 g) fresh haddock
- In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the topping.2 tablespoons mayo, 4 tablespoons (56 g) salted butter, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon dried basil, Lemon zest of half a lemon, Juice of half a lemon
- Using your hands, gently and evenly spread it across all the haddock. It doesn't have to be perfect.
- Bake for 7 minutes or until the haddock is cooked through and the topping is slightly brown.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Photographs by Jess Gaertner Creative
Yes! Crushed Ritz crackers are actually a classic New England-style coating for baked haddock, and they work beautifully here. They add a buttery, slightly salty flavor. Just crush them finely and use the same amount as the panko. The texture will be slightly denser but still delicious.
You can! Assemble the coated haddock on the baking sheet, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to a few hours before baking. Just know that the panko may absorb a little moisture from the fish as it sits, so the crust might not be quite as shatteringly crispy as if you baked it right away. Still great, though.
Yes! To freeze baked haddock, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and then freeze the cooled haddock pieces flat. Once they have frozen solid (this usually takes 3-4 hours), you can transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container. I like to cut up the parchment paper I used on the baking tray and place some between each piece of fish. Frozen baked haddock will keep for 3 months.
This was delightful. Thank you very sharing this with us.
flavor is fine but I would mix the ingredients except for the breadcrumbs and sprikle those over the fish after coating with the rest of the ingredients
Impeccably fresh haddock from a market on Cape Cod. Left out the garlic to let the fish shine through. Perfectly cooked and sooo good!
Delicious! Great for a week night, especially!
Very tasty and have given it a 5 star. The haddock was to die for and as you mentioned above very a mild fish. We do not cook or eat fish unless it is battered with French fries. Recently I have tried to include more fish and salmon into our diet. I was only disappointed that my topping did not turn crispy even on broil for 5 minutes. Would it crisp up better on top if I reduced the topping by half? I would still definitely cook again.
Great recipe! I didnt have dried basil so I used dried thyme instead and it worked well. Just recommend throwing it under the broiler to finish it off and really crisp up the topping.
Delious combination of flavors!
Very easy and delicious, I didn’t have panko, so I busted up some french bread coutons. The fish was perfectly cooked when the topping browned..
This was delicious!!
Absolutely delicious!!!!