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!
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!
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!!
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!
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;
Press fish into crumb mixture;
Marvel at how it sticks on perfectly!
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;
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).
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
More fish recipes
Watch how to make it
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Healthy Parmesan Garlic Crumbed Fish
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:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published July 2014. Updated with new photos, new writing, brand new video and most importantly, Life of Dozer section added!
Life of Dozer
When you close the door on Dozer:
I made this recipe .. This is the best one yet. I try different fish recipes & this is the best yet. It’s my go to now.
Hello Nagi, could I use snapper for this dish ?
Hi Shanna-kaye – For sure! -Nx
Delicious!
Awesome Colin ☺️
Great recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Nagi
Great recipe and very tasty crumb.
I am having trouble keeping crumb on the bottom of the fish. Any suggestions welcome.
Hi Christine, any excess moisture in the fish can cause it to fall off. Make sure to pat the fish dry with paper towel before coating ❤️
Made this dish last night for dinner. we are eating more fish now so always looking for new recipes.
This was amazing. Tasted delicious. Definitely a keeper.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this Linda! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback! N x ❤️
What is a side Of rocket with lemon and a drizzle of olive oil?
Hi Diane! It’s called Arugula in America 🙂
Made tonight for dinner. Extremely easy. Used thawed tilapia. I should have also added more salt. After doing the quick pan fry, I used my air fryer to finish the filets at 400°, placing them just under the heating element where they toasted nicely.
In fry pan, I deglazed the pan in a balsamic vinaigrette, steam-frying fresh asparagus with salt/pepper and topping salad greens with tomatoes and remaining parmesan topping.
This was super easy, and my partner really liked it. Maybe I didn’t use enough mustard or the fact that I rarely salt anything, but it just a little bland. I will be making it again, and maybe trying a little salt, and more garlicI also used a combination of Italan cheeses–mozzarella, Romano, asiago, and parmesan. I like the tip about using the olive oil in the crumb mixture–it made it adhere to the fish very well.
Hi Kate! Salt definitely reqquired for this one! 🙂 N xx
so you just take the frying pan from the stovetop and put it in the preheated grill?
Yup!
Made with cod & italian bread crumbs. Delish!
That’s wonderful to hear Renee! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this – N x ❤️
This sounds fabulous. I would like to make it for supper tonight but only have frozen fillets. If I’m using frozen, I need to thaw it first?
yes please, and pat dry 🙂
Sounds SUPER delish! Will be making tonight with Whiting filets. Dont have parsley so I think Ill add sime lime zest? Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Anon! Lime zest sounds fabulous! N x
I’ll be giving this a try from the mitten!! Thanks my friend 😃 I believe I have all but the parsley… but mine is including freshly caught walleye so I’ll have to do without, this time. Btw what is your blog? I’d love to know please.
Freshly caught? YUM! 🙂 And this recipe is on my blog!!!😂
Super delicious! What a great idea to pan-fry and then broil. I will never fry fish again!
It’s handy for a quick meal!! 🙂
Very easy to prepare. The fish had outstanding flavor. Will add to my list of go-to dinner options. Thanks!
So pleased you enjoyed it Kim! Thanks for letting me know! N xx❤️
I meant to say I only cook ‘meat’ for others 😀
Shalom, and thank you! I have only ever deep fried white fish (I’m vegetarian and cook only for others) and my husband never orders white fish unless it’s fish and chips style. He’s eating it right now and saying it’s a ‘do-over’…meaning ‘He likes’!!! It smells delicious! I made it as directed, using my cast iron skillet from stovetop to oven-broil. Thank you for a simple, quick and healthy dinner 🙂
Thanks for trying my recipe Shoni! So glad he enjoyed it – and thanks for letting me know! N xx
Hi Nagi, I was just browsing on Pinterest for something for fish and Wahla! up comes my friend (Nagi). I have this on the go at the moment and can’t wait to try. Love all the different suggestions as well as these girls help us with our taste-buds as well. I’ve kept to your recipe ingredients being the first time then I may change to try your suggestion of “Horseradish” as my hubby’s a lover of it. I put a Tablespoon or two of “Horseradish” in our mash for something different. I love all your recipes, so you’d better keep them coming.
I definitely plan too! 🙂 Hope you enjoy this one Josephine, I really should repost it, it’s one of my go tos! 🙂 N x
why dijon mustard, wont any mustard do?
Hi Jo! I use Dijon because it is smooth and has a mild flavour but yes, any mustard of choice will be just fine!
I used honey mustard and it was delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
So glad! N x