Baked Haddock with Lemon and Herb Crumb (Printable version)
Tender haddock fillets with a zesty, herby breadcrumb crust, baked until golden and flaky. Light and flavorful for any weeknight.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 haddock fillets, skinless and boneless, approximately 5-6 ounces each
→ Lemon and Herb Crumb
02 - 1½ cups fresh breadcrumbs
03 - Zest of 1 lemon
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 3½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
12 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Pat haddock fillets dry with kitchen paper and place them on the prepared tray, spacing them evenly with adequate space between each fillet.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley, chives, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Drizzle melted butter and olive oil over the mixture and stir with a fork until evenly moistened with a crumbly texture.
04 - Distribute lemon and herb crumb mixture evenly over the top of each haddock fillet, pressing gently to ensure the topping adheres properly.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the fish is opaque, 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 Suggestions:
01 -
- The contrast between the buttery golden crust and the tender fish beneath creates this perfect textural balance that makes every bite satisfying without being heavy.
- Its one of those deceptively simple recipes that looks and tastes impressive enough for company but requires almost no culinary skill to master.
02 -
- Overbaking fish even by just a few minutes can transform it from succulently tender to disappointingly dry, so start checking at the 15-minute mark.
- Adding a small splash of white wine to the baking dish creates a gentle steam that helps keep the fish moist while infusing it with subtle flavor.
03 -
- Place lemon slices underneath the fish before adding the crumb topping for a gentler citrus flavor that infuses the fillets from below while keeping them moist.
- For the absolute crispiest topping, switch your oven to broil for the final minute of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.