This Baked Snapper recipe is the perfect healthy fish recipe. Made with just 4 ingredients, including Blackening Seasoning and Lemon, this fish bakes in just 15 minutes and comes out tender and flaky every time.
Serve it with Roasted Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Baked Snapper recipe
This Baked Snapper recipe is so simple and delicious. This simple recipe uses blackening seasoning, lemon, and just a touch of butter to create an easy fish dinner that anyone, even a novice chef, can prepare. Baking the snapper is easier and more predictable than cooking it on the stovetop, making it a perfect weeknight dinner. You can pop it in the oven and make sides like Roasted Potatoes, Garlic Green Beans, Roasted Broccoli, or Roasted Brussels Sprouts while it bakes, and have your entire meal ready in just 20 minutes.
This Baked Snapper recipe is one I make for my family again and again! Snapper is a highly prized white flaky fish that is sweet and mild in flavor. Its firmer texture makes it great for many cooking methods, including grilling, baking, and sautéing. Snapper is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. You can use regular snapper for this or make a red snapper recipe with red snapper. They are both low in calories and high in protein. It is also high in selenium and vitamin B12.
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Why You'll Love this Baked Snapper recipe...
- You'll love this Baked Snapper recipe because it has only 4 ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes.
- It's easy to make in the oven, so you don't have to babysit the stove while it cooks... which is great if you have small kids, as I do. Plus, it's easy to clean up.
- Snapper is a delicious fish anyone will love.
- This dinner is only 230 calories with a whopping 35 grams of protein.
- It goes with so many sides, or you can even use it as a base for fish tacos!
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Baked Snapper recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Snapper Fillets: You'll need red snapper filets that are about 6 ounces. I found frozen snapper at Sam's Club. The fish should not smell stinky or fishy. You can buy Snapper fresh or frozen; just thaw it before cooking. The best way to thaw out your fish is to leave it in the fridge overnight. To thaw it faster, put it in a plastic bag (if it's frozen, it will usually come in one) and submerge it in room-temperature water. To prepare your fish, make sure it is thawed, then pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This recipe works for a variety of different snapper, including Red Snapper. You can also make this with other types of fish like grouper, cod, or mahi-mahi.
- Blackening Seasoning: My Homemade Blackening Seasoning is the perfect spice blend of paprika, smoked paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. You can make your own or buy a pre-made version. Here are a few you can buy: Zatarain's Blackened Seasoning, Emeril's Blackened Seasoning Blend, Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blends - Blackened Redfish Magic (My favorite!)
- Lemon: Fresh lemon or citrus brings out the dish's flavors and balances the blackening seasoning's spice. You can also serve the snapper with lemon slices or lemon wedges.
- Butter: I usually cook my fish with olive oil, BUT the butter brings out the flavors in this dish and makes it a bit more tender. A little goes a long way here in bringing out the flavors. If you are dairy-free or really don't like cooking with butter, you can easily swap in olive oil. I melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Garnish: Parsley or Fresh Herbs
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions for this Baked Snapper recipe, but the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat your oven to 425 degrees. For easy cleanup, you can line your pan with foil or parchment paper.
- Pat the snapper fillets dry with paper towels. Put the fillets into the baking dish.
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with blackening seasoning. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish flakes with a fork. It will turn opaque.
- Serve with a lemon wedge and serve immediately.
How is it done?
The snapper is done when it turns white and easily flakes with a fork. Cooking time can vary depending on the oven and the thickness of the fish. 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 137 degrees, so it doesn't get tough, but use caution if you have health issues.
Baked Red Snapper Variations
I love this Baked Snapper recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Top It: You can serve this plain as shown, or top it! I find that this Blackened Grouper is a great base for toppings like Cajun Remoulade Sauce, Cilantro Lime Slaw, Mango Salsa, Pineapple Salsa, or any of my Fruit Salsa recipes or Pesto Recipes.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use olive oil or dairy-free butter to make this dairy-free.
- Make it Cajun: Use a Cajun Spice Mix if you can't find Blackening Seasoning. Cajun spices, Creole seasoning, and Blackening Seasoning are very similar.
- Make it Spicy: To bring up the heat, add an extra sprinkle of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You can also serve it with hot sauce.
- Cook it on the Stove-Top: You can also pan-sear the fish over medium-high heat with melted butter. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until done.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the fish in the microwave or air fryer.
Freezing
I would not freeze snapper after baking it.
How to cook snapper in the oven?
To cook snapper in the oven, you top it with butter and spices and bake it at 425 for 10-15 minutes, until it turns opaque and flakes with a fork.
What's the best way to cook a snapper?
I think baking it, like this recipe, is the best way to cook it because it takes the guesswork out. It keeps the fish healthy and light, making it a perfect dinner.
What if I have a whole fish?
To make a whole oven-baked red snapper, ask the fishmonger to gut, scale, and clean the whole snapper so you can prepare it. Put garlic, lemon juice, and parsley in the open cavity. Cut the flesh of the fish into slices. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, melted butter, and seasoning. Bake at 425 degrees for up to 20 minutes.
Baked Snapper recipe
This Baked Snapper recipe is the perfect fast and healthy dinner made with simple ingredients. It seems fancy, but it's one that you will make again and again. Its simplicity will win you over. Cooking fish and seafood might seem intimidating, but it's actually pretty easy. You can serve it with a few sides - see my suggestions below - like I did in the photos with rice and vegetables, OR you can use the fish as the perfect start to blackened fish tacos or a fish wrap.
Serve it with:
- Garlic Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
- Roasted Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Broccoli with Mushrooms
- 4-Ingredient Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Greek Yogurt Healthy Coleslaw
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Potato Salad
- Oven Roasted Asparagus
More Healthy Fish Recipes to Love:
If you make this Baked Snapper 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!
Baked Snapper Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 snapper fillets, about 6 ounces eash
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon blackening seasoning
- 1 lemon
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
- Pat the snapper fillets dry with paper towels. Put the fillets into the baking dish.
- Brush them with melted butter and spinkle the snapper with blackening seasoning. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish flakes with a fork. It will turn opaque.
- Serve with a lemon wedge and serve immediately
Notes
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the fish in the microwave or air fryer.Freezing
I would not freeze snapper after baking it.Nutrition
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