Learn how to cook cod in the oven, air fryer, and stovetop. Cooking cod is easy, and quick and with this recipe, the fish comes out tender, flaky, and packed full of flavor. Serve with sides like vegetables, potatoes, couscous, rice, garlic butter sauce, or any side of choice.
How To Cook Cod (Cooking Cod)
Cooking cod is simple and straightforward and in this post, I will show you easy steps on how to cook cod fish in the oven, stovetop, and air fryer be it cod loins, fillets, Atlantic cod or Pacific cod.
Cod is a white fish that is mild-flavored, easy to cook, and tasty when done right. It is a good source of protein, low fat, low carb, and can be made keto compliant.
It doesn't require a lot of ingredients to season. Salt, pepper, and garlic will do a good job but you can add other spices like onion powder, and smoked paprika.
The spices used for this healthy cod recipe are 5 pantry ingredients, that are natural, clean, and have no preservatives in them. If you desire, after cooking them, you can then add garlic butter sauce, lemon butter sauce, or any sauce of your choice.
Cod fish makes a good dinner option because not only is it super easy to cook, it cooks in less than 15 minutes whichever cooking method you choose. It requires minimal preparation and clean-up is easy after cooking.
Cooking cod that is restaurant quality is a walk in the park and you can use this recipe for other types of white fish like haddock, tilapia, halibut, or any other firm fish.
Whether it's cod loins, fillets, or any white fish, with this post, you will learn the best way to cook cod, how long to cook cod, and frequently asked questions answered.
Related: Instant pot cod, Air fryer fish
Cod Seasoning
Seasoning cod is easy. You can simply season it with garlic, salt, and pepper and it will come out good. I however like to add some other spices like onion granules, and smoked paprika (for smokey taste) especially when I'm not topping with sauce.
To make the seasoning, add the spices- garlic, salt, and pepper, paprika, onion granules into a bowl. Mix till well combined and you have seasoning for cod.
To season cod, brush the cod fillet with oil, (if pan-frying no need for this step) sprinkle the seasoning on both sides, and lightly pat it with your finger.
It's ready to cook or you can leave it for some minutes to marinate it.
How To Cook Cod In The Oven
Rinse the cod fillets and pat them dry with paper towels.
Mix the paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and onion granules in a bowl. Set aside.
Brush the fish fillets with lemon juice, then oil on one side, then sprinkle with some of the seasoning. Flip the fillets, brush with lemon juice, brush with oil, and season that side too.
Transfer the seasoned cod fish fillets into a baking dish, or tray.
Bake cod in the oven at a temperature of 200C/400F for 12-15 minutes or until cooked tender.
Bring out of the oven, and add herb butter immediately (optional).
Serve and enjoy.
Cooking Cod In A Pan On The Stove Top
Here's how to cook cod in a pan:
Rinse the cod fillets, and pat them dry with paper towels.
Mix the paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and onion granules in a bowl. Set aside.
Brush the fish with lemon juice, sprinkle the seasoning on it, flip the fillets, and season that side too.
Place a skillet on the stove top on medium heat.
Add oil into the skillet. When heated, add the fish fillets.
Cook for 2 minutes, without moving them, then flip them and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes or till cooked.
If using herb butter, add to the skillet a minute before taking off heat.
Take the skillet off the heat.
Serve.
How To Cook Cod In The Air Fryer
Cooking it in the air fryer is easy, and similar to cooking it in the oven. After the fish has been seasoned, put them in the air fryer basket and air fry cod at 180C/360F for 4-6 minutes. I have a detailed post on air fryer cod. Check it out for tips and frequently asked questions about cooking cod in the AF.
How Long To Cook Cod
Depends on the cooking method, if cooking from frozen, or fresh, the thickness and size of the fillet, or loins. Big pieces will take longer to cook than smaller pieces. Here's a guide to follow:
How long to cook cod in the oven is 12-15 minutes.
How long to cook it in the air fryer is 6-10 minutes.
To cook on the stovetop is 4-6 minutes.
If cooking from frozen, add 2-3 minutes to the recommended cooking time above.
Cod is cooked when fork is inserted, it's flaky and tender. Also when lightly pressed down on, it is firm to touch.
Don't overcook the fish to avoid dry and rubbery fish.
What To Serve With
Here are some suggestions of what to serve cod fish with:
How To Store
To store leftover cod, let it cool completely then put it in a sealable container or a Ziploc.
Store in the fridge- label, and store it in the fridge where it will be preserved for up to 3 days.
To store in the freezer- label, then store in the freezer where it will last for up to 3 months.
Reheating - It can be reheated in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.
To reheat in the oven- Place the fish on a baking tray, and bake at a temperature of 180C/360F for 5 minutes or till heated through.
To reheat in the air fryer, place the fish in the air fryer basket and air fry at a temperature of 170C for 2 minutes or until heated through. Be careful not to dry out the fish.
Once reheated, don't refreeze. Leftovers can be used in curries, omelets, pasta bakes, sandwiches, and wraps.
Tips
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning.
- If you have the time, let the fish marinate in seasoning for some minutes before cooking.
- You can double this recipe.
- If unsure if the fish is cooked, you can check with an instant thermometer. it's cooked at internal temperature of 140F/70C.
FAQs
Can I cook frozen cod?
Yes, you can. Thaw first or cook from frozen without thawing. If cooking from frozen, run the fillets under water to deglaze, before patting dry with a paper towel, and seasoning.
Is cod healthy?
Yes, it is. It is a white fish that is low in calories, and fat, and a good source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Like any other food, it is best eaten in moderation.
How do you cook cod without making it rubbery?
Don't overcook. Overcooking is what makes it rubbery, and dry. You'd want to cook it at the right temperature and time for the best results. These cooking times vary on what cooking method you chose. Check the cooking time section of this post.
Do you cook cod skin up or down?
It's best to cook skin down whether cooking it in the air fryer, oven, or stovetop.
What is the best way to cook cod?
Baking in the oven, or air frying. It uses less oil than pan-frying or deep frying, which makes it healthier.
More Fish Recipes
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How To Cook Cod
Ingredients
- 4 Cod fillets
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion granules
- ½ teaspoon Pepper (black pepper or cayenne) or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Garlic herb butter optional
- ½ teaspoon Paprika Optional
Instructions
- Rinse the cod fillets or loins, and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Mix the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and onion granules, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
- Brush the fish fillets with lemon juice, and oil on one side, then sprinkle with some of the cod seasoning, flip the fillets, brush with lemon juice, oil, and season that side too.
- Transfer the seasoned cod fish fillets into a baking dish, or tray.
- Bake cod in the oven at a temperature of 200C/400F for 12-15 minutes or until cooked tender.
- Bring out of the oven, and add herb butter immediately (optional).
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Pat the fillets dry before seasoning.
- If you have the time, marinate the fish for some minutes before cooking.
- You can double this recipe.
- If unsure if the fish is cooked, you can check with an instant thermometer. it's cooked at a temperature of 140F/70C.
Nutrition
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Pan fried it exactly like you said, it came out perfectly, it is my go to recipe for Cod
Thanks so much for the feedback 🙂