Baked Halibut Recipe
This easy Baked Halibut Recipe is crispy, flavorful, and ready in a flash! Coated in a golden panko-Parmesan crust with fresh herbs and zesty lemon, it’s light, delicious, and totally satisfying. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and impressive!
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This baked halibut recipe is one of my go-to dinners when I need something quick, nutritious, and totally delicious. It’s light but satisfying, and best of all, there’s no marinating or fancy prep required! Just a few simple ingredients, and it’s ready for the oven in minutes.
I love keeping halibut in my weekly rotation because it cooks fast and pairs well with just about anything. Whether it’s fish tacos one night or air fryer salmon bites the next, seafood always feels like a win. In this easy one-pan baked halibut recipe, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and a crispy panko-Parmesan topping bring big flavor and keep the fish perfectly moist and flaky. Trust me, once you try it, it might just earn a permanent spot on your dinner menu!
The best fish ever. I omit the dill, but used all other ingredients.
— Carol
Why you’ll be hooked
- 30-minute wonder: This halibut recipe is fast, fuss-free, and totally doable on a busy weeknight. Bonus: it’s all made on one pan, so cleanup’s a breeze!
- Feel-good fuel: Halibut is a lean, protein-packed powerhouse loaded with omega-3s and essential vitamins. It’s light, nourishing, and naturally low-carb.
- Big flavor, crispy crunch: Golden and crisp on the outside, tender and flaky inside. Bored of basic seafood? This bold, lemony dish will change your mind!
Ingredients needed
This easy baked halibut recipe has such great flavor thanks to the combination of crispy breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Here’s what you’ll be needing:
- Panko breadcrumbs. For the best baked fish, I recommend panko instead of regular breadcrumbs. Panko is a style of Japanese breadcrumbs that are larger. It creates a more crunchy exterior.
- Parmesan cheese. For best results, use a block of high-quality parmesan cheese and grate it yourself.
- Fresh herbs. Using fresh herbs for seasoning really takes this halibut recipe to the next level! We’re using a simple mix of parsley, dill and chives.
- Lemon zest. For fresh flavor, don’t forget the addition of lemon zest!
- Olive oil. Rubbing a bit of olive oil over the flesh of the halibut helps the breadcrumbs stick to the fish and also helps the fish to bake up tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- Halibut. This white fish is undeniably delicious, but sometimes does come at a premium price. If you’d like to swap out the halibut for a different white fish, try haddock, pollack or cod. Do NOT use a flaky white fish, such as tilapia or snapper, as they will not hold together as well. You could even use this parmesan breadcrumb recipe with chicken tenders!
- Salt + pepper. Definitely taste the baked halibut before adding salt + black pepper. Sometimes parmesan cheese can be quite salty.
Tips for buying halibut
When looking for fresh halibut at the grocery store, be sure the halibut fillets are white with a glossy flesh. Avoid fillets that have brown spots or discoloration on the flesh. Most of the Pacific halibut that are harvested in Alaskan waters are flash-frozen while still on the boat, making frozen a great choice. Just be sure to thaw the fillets in the fridge before using.
Baked Halibut Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
- ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- extra-virgin olive oil for rubbing on the fillets
- 4 (6 ounce) halibut fillets
- salt & pepper, to taste after the fish is cooked
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In a shallow bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, dill, chives and lemon zest.
- Rinse halibut fillets and pat dry with a paper towel. Place fillets onto the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil (rubbing it into the front and back of the fillet), then dredge the fish into the bread crumb/parmesan cheese mixture, pressing it in lightly with your fingers.
- Place fillets back onto baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until crumb topping is lightly browned and fish flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed. The parmesan cheese is salty, so I usually don't need additional salt.
Notes
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What does halibut taste like?
If you’ve never tasted halibut before, you’re in for a real treat! This fish is perfect for those of you that might not be the biggest seafood fans. The taste is mild with a slight sweetness and the texture is firm, yet flaky and it has a heartier, more tender texture than other white fish options. Halibut is also super versatile! It’s mild flavor makes it a great option for all sorts of seasonings and marinades!
How to make this baked halibut recipe
Making this panko-crusted baked halibut couldn’t be easier! Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but for full instructions, reference the recipe card above.
Start this recipe with preheating the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside. Now, grab a shallow bowl and mix together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, dill, chives and lemon zest.
Step 1. In a shallow bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, dill, chives and lemon zest.
Step 2. Rinse halibut fillets and pat dry with a paper towel. Place fillets onto the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil (rubbing it into the front and back of the fillet).
Step 3. Dredge the fish into the bread crumb/parmesan cheese mixture, pressing it in lightly with your fingers. Place fillets back onto baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until crumb topping is lightly browned and fish flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed. The parmesan cheese is pretty salty, so I usually don’t need additional salt.
What goes good with halibut?
Parmesan crusted baked halibut is bursting with healthy, fresh flavor and pairs well with roasted veggies and brown rice or quinoa. It would also be lovely atop a nice green salad with juicy garden tomatoes. Basically, whatever you like to serve with chicken, pork or salmon would also taste great with oven baked halibut. It doesn’t have a fishy taste, so most people will enjoy it. Here are a few more serving options:
- Salad. Complete this seafood meal by serving a healthy, fresh side like a colorful Italian Salad (one of my favs!). I also love pairing this with either my white bean couscous salad or Greek salad!
- Pasta. How fabulous would this baked halibut be paired with my lemon pasta? And the kids would definitely enjoy homemade mac & cheese on the side.
- Potatoes. Pair this halibut recipe with everyone’s favorite potato side – potato salad, baked sweet potatoes or my personal favorite cheesy scalloped potatoes.
- Vegetables. Pretty much any veggie goes well with this recipe, from my roasted vegetable medley to the air fryer butternut squash. We also love a side of roasted cauliflower, green beans or asparagus.
Helpful tips
- Halibut season. While you can find halibut year-round, peak season for fresh-caught Pacific halibut (which I recommend) is March through October. So, this is a great time to buy!
- Fresh or frozen fillets. This halibut recipe works well with both fresh and frozen fish. In fact, frozen halibut is flash-frozen immediately after it’s caught, which helps maintain its freshness, and allows you to store it in your freezer. A great option! Be sure to thaw any frozen fish before topping it with the panko.
- Size of fillets. For best results, I recommend using halibut fillets that are similar in size and shape, so that they cook at the same rate.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese. I highly recommend using freshly grated Parmesan cheese for this recipe. Pre-grated cheese often contains stabilizers and anti-caking agents and does not melt as well. Also, a high quality Parmesan cheese will add such wonderful flavor! I typically shop the speciality cheese counter of my local grocery store.
- Make it spicy. For just a little kick of heat, add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixing.
Frequently asked questions
Like many other species of flatfish, halibut is so lean that it is really easy to overcook. When a meaty halibut fillet is cooked just right, it is succulent and flaky; when it’s overdone, it becomes so tough that you might even need to grab a knife to get through it. Yuck!
Halibut is cooked through when the fish flakes easily with a fork and appears opaque. If you’re not sure that the halibut is done, you can use a digital thermometer (like this one) to measure the internal temperature. I recommend checking for doneness after about 10 minutes of cooking. If the temperature is at least 120 to 130 degrees F, then the halibut dish is ready to eat.
Halibut is an awesome option for a healthy diet. It’s high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. Halibut is full of vitamins and minerals! It’s an excellent source of selenium, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps your body repair damaged cells and can decrease inflammation. And it’s a good source of niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, Vitamin B6 and B12. It’s quickly become one of my favorite seafood varieties to enjoy and I love knowing that I’m getting so many amazing nutrients when I eat it!
Like most fish, baked halibut is best enjoyed immediately, but if you do have leftovers, they will keep well in the fridge in an airtight container for a couple of days. For best results, reheat halibut in a toaster oven for about 10 minutes at 350ºF. You can also reheat by broiling it in the oven for a few minutes.
The most classic way of cooking halibut is pan-frying a fillet or you can bake it like in this recipe. Both ways are very easy and delicious. To pan-fry, heat a generous amount of butter in a pan, and when it starts to foam then put the fillets in skin-down. Cook for 3-4 minutes until a crust forms. Flip the fish over, reduce the heat to medium, and contine cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
I’m ALL about quick and easy dinner options and it doesn’t get much easier than this baked halibut recipe! The whole thing is ready in about 30 minutes and tastes SO delicious. You just can’t beat that!
Recommended tools to make this recipe
- Rimmed baking sheet. I use these multiple times a week for sheet pan dinners, roasted broccoli, cookies, and more.
- Measuring spoons. For getting the bread crumb/parmesan cheese mix just right. The magnetic feature keeps your drawers organized too!
- Fish spatula. Great for transferring your fish to and from the baking sheet.
More seafood recipes to try
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
I simplified this (because my husband used up the last of the panko). Sprayed the fish with avocado oil, then grated some parmesan on top, a tiny bit of kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, and a generous sprinkle of Penzey’s Justice seasoning. Put it in my multipurpose countertop oven at 400 for 15 minutes, and it was fricking DELISH.
Next time I’ll try it with the panko!! ?
Thanks so much for your feedback! I’m so glad you enjoyed!
This was so easy to make & very flavorful. I mooted the dill as not my favorite. This is going in my rotation
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for your feedback!
I made this for the first time a month or so ago and it was so easy and so delicious that I just made it again tonight. Delicious and simple recipe!
The best fish ever. I omit the dill, but used all other ingredients.
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear. Thanks for your feedback!