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
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:
Another tasty winner from Nagi.
In addition to the recipe I added grated lemon rind to the crust and I sat the fish in a shallow drizzle of lemon juice for 2 hrs prior to commencing the pan fry. Result was a wonderful lemony flavour to the fish and a tasty crusty top.
Oh my god. This was amazing! I am eating The left overs nowat my desk as we speak – I used basa fillets, I love love love how you can taste the mustard slightly once it’s been cooked. This is a winner!
Love love love love love!!! It was soo good to not have to scrape the crumb off the bottom of the pan! The taste was delicious and stamp of approval from everyone
Made the Parmesan Garlic fish last night – HOME RUN! Great flavor and a quick dish to whip up.
Can’t wait to try the fish with Lemon Sauce next. Thank you thank you!!!
Such a tasty and easy recipe! The flavor and crunchy crumb topping are awesome. Next time I have to find fresh fish. Went with the convenience of frozen Alaskan cod and even after patting dry (actually squeezing a bit of water out!) it still came out a little water logged. My pet peeve with frozen fish =\ I’m on a mission to find some great fresh fish so I can make this again and again!☺️ P.S. I just ❤️❤️❤️ Dozer! Usually I jump right to Dozer, then go back to the blog & recipe 😉 I’m sure you hear that a lot! He’s a doll.
Loved this easy way to cook fish. We had some halibut that turned out delicious
No leftovers! The whole family loved this with the mashed cauliflower and rocket salad. You are a genius cook Nagi. Thank you, I don’t know what my family would eat without your recipes.
I love hearing this Wiw!!! N x
Hi Nagi, I have made this twice now and we love it. It is also so easy to make. I put it in the oven while cooking oven chips, sweet potato and potato. I also microwave corn on the cob then wrap it in buttered foil and put it in the oven. Broccoli for the greens.
Oops, I forgot to rate it. 5/5!
As good as Mama’s Fish House on Maui, we used Mahi Mahi and mayo instead of mustard, also dried the filets good first
Quick recipe and my family loved it. No leftover😋 Even with Gluten free breadcrumbs. Thanks for sharing.🌼
That’s great to hear Verna!! N x
I Had copycat the entire plate. We loved it.
Must say that for the last few month, every single meal idea is taken from your website 🙂
My husband is super grateful that you have transformed me into a good cook 🙂
Wahoo, that’s awesome to hear Viktoriya! N x
hi Nagi,
what else can i use to f im out of mustard
I have been using mayonnaise since my daughter did not like the mustard flavour. It works well.
super easy and fast to cook
🙌
Love this recipe! I use defrosted bass, and it always turns out so moist with the crunchy crumb! Really yummy. Only thing I’d say is don’t be a dope like me – make sure the fish goes into the pan crumb side up or you’ll lose it! Make this once every 2 weeks or so. Love it!
I mean basa!
I’m so glad you loved it Philippa!! N x
I made this dish with barramundi.
Absolutely amazing.
Another winner from Nagi.
YUM! I love Barra! N x
Hi, can I substitute Panko breadcrumbs with normal breadcrumbs ? Thank you!
Love your recipes and would love to try this out!
Hi Jacqueline, they aren’t quite the same but regular will be fine here 🙂 N x