Parmesan-Crusted Baked Cod

Ingredients

• 4 (6 ounce cod loins
• 0.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons salt , or to taste
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 0.5 cups buttermilk , see Note
• cooking spray
• lemon wedges , optional
• fresh parsley sprigs , optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking pan with foil, and place a baking rack in the pan over the foil.

2. 2

   Pat cod loins dry with paper towels.

3. 3

   Combine panko crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, salt, pepper, and minced fresh parsley on a plate. Mix with a fork until well blended.

4. 4

   Pour buttermilk into a shallow dish and place beside the plate with crumbs.

5. 5

   Dip each cod loin into the buttermilk, and then place on the crumbs. Scoop crumbs on top of each cod loin and pat firmly, to coat both sides. Place crumb-coated cod on the rack in the prepared pan. Add any remaining crumbs to the top of the cod loins, and spray with butter-flavored cooking spray.

6. 6

   Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cod loins. Test for doneness with an instant-read thermometer. Cod is done with an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

7. 7

   Serve with lemon wedges and additional fresh parsley, if desired.