Garlic Parmesan Crusted Halibut

This Baked Parmesan Crusted Halibut is an easy and delicious 20-minute baked fish recipe made with just a handful of simple ingredients like fresh halibut, parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon, and Italian Seasoning.  Tender, flaky, and super healthy, this halibut dinner is perfect for a quick weekday dinner.

Serve it with Parmesan Oven Roasted Asparagus and Roasted Baby Red Potatoes for an irresistible, healthy meal the entire family will love.

Parmesan Crusted Halibut

This Parmesan Crusted Halibut recipe is one of my all-time favorite ways to cook fish.  It's super simple to prepare in less than 20 minutes with fresh halibut and a handful of pantry staples like Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, and lemon.  This simple, healthy oven-baked preparation elevates any fish from boring to restaurant-quality in less time than it would take to get takeout.

I love how this simple recipe comes together with little fuss and super healthy ingredients.  It's one you can feel good serving again and again.  And I promise it's that good!

This healthy fish recipe originated years ago, right after the Hubs took a fishing trip to Alaska to catch Alaska halibut.  He spent a week fishing the pristine waters of Southeast Alaska with his Dad.  It was the trip of a lifetime for us, and we were so lucky to have fresh fish for a long time.  He brought back a freezer full of halibut, and I happily found creative ways to prepare it.  Since I had halibut, that's how this recipe started, but you can also use it for any other dense, firm fish on sale or in the freezer, like sea bass or cod.

Why You'll Love this Panko Parmesan Baked Halibut Recipe...

• Ready in 20 Minutes: This easy fish dinner takes just 10 minutes of prep and about 10–15 minutes to bake.
• Crispy Parmesan Topping: Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese create a delicious, lightly crunchy crust.
• Baked, Not Fried: You get a flavorful breadcrumb topping without deep-frying.
• Simple Ingredients: Everything except the fish uses basic pantry and refrigerator staples.
• High in Protein: Halibut is a lean, protein-rich fish that makes a satisfying dinner. One serving of fish is only 270 calories.
• Versatile: You can use the same Parmesan-panko topping on other firm white fish, including cod and sea bass.

More About Halibut:

What does halibut taste like?

If you've never had halibut before, you will be pleasantly surprised.  It's a firm, white fish with a mild, slightly sweet flavor.  It doesn't have that overpowering fish flavor. It's a naturally lean fish. It's like other white fish but a bit firmer and heartier.  Because it's mild, it's a great canvas for a wide range of preparations, seasonings, and marinades.

Is halibut healthy?

Yes! It's a great source of selenium, which can help repair damaged cells and decrease inflammation.  It's also great for thyroid health.  Halibut also has minerals like niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

Where can you buy halibut?

Halibut is a bit harder to find than salmon or tilapia, but often you can find it fresh or frozen at specialty grocery stores or fish markets.  It can be expensive, so keep that in mind when shopping.  Alaskan Halibut season runs from mid-March to mid-November, but outside that time, you can buy it frozen.

When buying halibut fresh, look for white, glossy flesh that isn't dried out.  Frozen fish, including Alaskan Halibut Fillets, are a great option because they are usually caught fresh and flash-frozen on a boat.

If you can't find halibut, you can prepare almost any other thick white fish this way.  Cod, flounder, haddock, or sea bass would work.

Ingredients:

• Halibut: For my Parmesan Crusted Halibut, I use fresh or frozen halibut fillets. You'll need two skinless halibut fillets. Fresh halibut is wonderful, but frozen halibut works just as well when properly thawed. Look for fillets of similar thickness so they cook evenly. If your fish is frozen, just thaw it overnight in the fridge.  To prepare it, remove the skin.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: For healthy baked fish, I like to use Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs.  They are light and crunchy without needing much butter or oil. Panko breadcrumbs are the secret to the lightly crispy topping. They have a larger, airier texture than traditional breadcrumbs, which helps create a delicate crunch when baked.
• Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a delicious salty, nutty flavor to the crust. Freshly grated Parmesan is especially flavorful, but packaged grated Parmesan also works. You can use any type of grated Parmesan cheese for this recipe.  The higher the quality of cheese, the better it will taste, but even the classic style will work.
• Italian Seasoning: I like to use my Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix to add lots of flavor from different herbs without much fuss.  Try this store-bought option.
• Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder adds rich flavor to the fish topping.
• Lemon Zest:  My surprise ingredient is a bit of lemon zest in the Parmesan topping.  It adds bright flavor to the fish!
• Lemon: You'll use half the lemon to squeeze juice over the fish, and save the other half for lemon wedges for serving.
• Olive Oil: I use a touch of olive oil to add some stickiness so the topping adheres to the fish.
• Salt & Black Pepper

Instructions:

1. To prepare the Parmesan Crusted halibut, preheat your oven to 425 degrees.  Spray a baking pan with cooking spray or line it with foil or parchment paper.  You can also make this on a baking sheet or sheet pan.
2. Zest half of the lemon.
3. Place the halibut fillets on a plate and pat them dry with a paper towel.
4. Next, squeeze half the lemon juice over them.  Cut the unzested part of the lemon into wedges for serving.
5. Carefully spread olive oil over the fish. You want a thin but even coat so the parmesan-crusted topping will stick.  Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper.
6. Make the Parmesan mixture.  In a small bowl, mix together the panko, parmesan, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, and lemon zest.
7. Bake the halibut for 10-15 minutes until it turns opaque and flakes with a fork.
8. Serve with a lemon wedge and garnish with fresh parsley.

Cooking Tips for the Best Baked Parmesan Crusted Halibut

• Don't Overcook the Fish: Halibut can dry out quickly when overcooked. Start checking your fish near the lower end of the recommended baking time, especially if your fillets are thin. Cooking time for fish can vary widely depending on oven temperature and fish thickness.  Generally, fish takes 10 minutes per inch of thickness.  So a 1-inch thick piece of halibut will take around 10 minutes to cook.  Thicker pieces will take longer, and thinner pieces will take less time.  The fish will be done when it turns opaque and flakes with a fork.
• Choose Evenly Sized Fillets: Fillets of similar thickness cook more evenly. If one filet is much thicker than the other, it may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
• Pat the Fish Dry: Removing excess moisture helps the Parmesan-panko topping adhere and prevents the crust from becoming soggy.
• Use Panko Instead of Regular Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs create a lighter, crispier topping than fine traditional breadcrumbs.
• Press the Topping Gently: After adding the breadcrumb mixture, lightly press it onto the fish so it stays in place while baking.
• Easy Cleanup: To save time on cleanup, you can line your baking dish with foil.

How Long to Bake Halibut at 425°F

For this Parmesan-crusted halibut recipe, I recommend baking the fish at 425°F for about 10–15 minutes.  The exact baking time depends on the thickness of your halibut fillets and your oven. Thinner fillets may cook faster, while thicker pieces may take longer.

The most reliable way to tell when your halibut is ready is to use an instant-read thermometer. The FDA recommends cooking fish until the internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat instant-read thermometer.  I pull mine out a bit before then, closer to 135 degrees, so it doesn't get tough, but do that with caution if you have health issues.

When properly cooked, the halibut should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.  Halibut flakes more like swordfish than salmon.  Be careful not to overcook it, because halibut is a lean fish and can become dry.

Variations:

I like this Parmesan Crusted Halibut recipe as written, but here are some fun ways to mix it up.

• Make it Spicy: To make this fish a touch spicy, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the topping.
• Mix up the Flavors: I used Italian Seasoning in my recipe, but you can use a single spice mix or a different one for a different flavor.  A few tasty options would be Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, Ranch Seasoning Mix,  Herbs de Provence, or Cajun Seasoning.
• Mix up the Fish: Use another white fish like cod, sea bass, flounder, or haddock.

FAQ

How do I store leftovers?

I feel like this Parmesan Crusted Halibut is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.

How do I reheat the fish?

You can reheat the fish in the microwave, but to keep it from drying out, put it back in the oven at 350 for 5-10 minutes until heated.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can easily make this for a larger group by doubling or even tripling the recipe.

This Parmesan Crusted Halibut is the Perfect Easy Dinner!

This Parmesan Crusted Halibut really is the perfect easy weeknight dinner.  This restaurant-quality meal is healthy and will have everyone wanting seconds.

You can't beat the flavors, textures, and taste of this healthy baked fish dinner.

Here are a few side dish ideas to make this a complete meal.

Make it a Meal:

• Parmesan Garlic Asparagus
• Garlic Roasted Green Beans
• Oven Roasted Lemon Parmesan Broccoli
• Herb and Garlic Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
• Cheesy Grilled Potatoes
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
• Kale Caesar Salad 

More Easy Baked Fish Recipes to Love:

• Baked Snapper
• Blackened Cod
• Easy Baked Salmon with Rosemary
• Blackened Mahi Mahi
• Pesto Salmon
• Salmon with Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
• Lemon Pepper Parmesan Tilapia
• Everything But the Bagel Salmon
• Pistachio Crusted Salmon

If you make this Parmesan Crusted Halibut Recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Parmesan Crusted Halibut

Julie Wunder

This Baked Parmesan Crusted Halibut is an easy and delicious 20 minute baked fish recipe made with just a handful of simple ingredients like fresh halibut, parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon, and Italian Seasoning.  Tender, flaky and super healthy this halibut dinner is perfect for a quick weekday dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Calories 270 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 halibut fillets, skin removed
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 lemon
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup parmesan
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking pan with cooking spray.
• Pat the fish dry with a paper towel.
• Put the fish on a plate and squeeze half of the lemon on top. Carefully spread the olive oil on top of the fish. You want a thin coat on the entire top of the fish so the topping will stick. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the fish.
• In a small bowl mix together the panko, parmesan, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, and lemon zest.
  
• Carefully put the topping on the fish and lightly press it onto the fish.
  
• Bake the halibut for 10-15 minutes until it turns opaque and flakes with a fork. Serve with the leftover lemon wedge.
  

Notes

The cooking time for fish can vary due to your oven temperature and the thickness of the fish.  As a general rule, it takes about 10 minutes to cook every 1-inch thickness of fish.  Thicker pieces of halibut will take longer, and thinner pieces will take less time.

The halibut tastes best fresh, but store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

You can also make this Parmesan Panko Encrusted Fish with similar textured fish like cod or sea bass.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 38gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 372mgPotassium: 854mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 241IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 205mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Baked Halibut, Parmesan Crusted Halibut

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