Coconut Crusted Cod Recipe (2024)

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Patty and I never really eat cod (unless it’s fried). Why? I’ve always found it tasteless and boring. It’s a solid white fish and very easy to prepare, but I personally think it needs a lot of help in the flavor department to crack our weeknight lineup.

It’s a fish we try to incorporate into our diet more often because it’s so commonly available, but I can never seem to find inspiration to come up with anything fantastic.

If you’re like me, this could be the answer you’re looking for. Cod (or haddock) breaded in crispy, toasted coconut and panko crumbs. It’s slightly sweet, savory, and light.

Some more ways to add tons of flavor to cod are a classic fried beer batter or crushing up crackers as breading. And if you really just prefer other fish, I highly recommend blackened salmon with cilantro lime butter.

Coconut Panko Breading

Coconut crusted cod is a really simple baked cod recipe with panko crumbs and shredded coconut. My “secret” method is creating an egg mixture that consists of whisked egg, honey, and lime juice. It introduces an extra hint of tropical flavor while acting as the glue for the panko crumbs and shredded coconut.

Another quick tip on the coconut—I like to mince the shredded coconut a little further so it’s finer. I think it helps it stick to the fish better. I go 50/50 on the coconut and panko crumbs mixture, but if you’re ALL about coconut you can ramp it up and add more for more coconut crunch.

Cod Prep

I’ve found cod or haddock is best prepared in small 6-8 ounce fillets. It’s much easier to prepare and serve due to cod’s very flaky nature. If you buy a large 1-2 pound cod filet, cut it width-wise into smaller individual portions for best results.

How to Bake Perfect Cod

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 °F until crispy and cod is flakey. Depending on how crunchy you want the crust, you can bake for extra time or finish it off with broiling (my personal fav touch).

Can I Use Haddock?

Absolutely, the two fish are nearly interchangeable in my eyes. Either one will work just fine.

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