Ingredients
Fish and Seasoning
- 12 ounces flounder (2 fillets)
- Sea salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic (finely chopped; add an extra teaspoon if you prefer it more garlicky)
- ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian parsley (finely chopped)
- 1 pinch black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Crust
- ¼ cup Parmesan or Romano cheese (grated)
- ¼ cup bread crumbs (panko or regular)
Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (1 ½ tablespoons for baking sheet + 1 tablespoon for brushing the flounder)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This ensures the oven reaches the ideal temperature to bake the fish evenly and create a crispy crust.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Spread 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil evenly over a baking sheet to coat its surface. This prevents the fish from sticking and adds flavor.
- Make Crust Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, bread crumbs, finely chopped garlic, sweet paprika, Italian parsley, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Transfer this mixture onto a large plate for easy coating.
- Season Fish: Brush both sides of the flounder fillets with olive oil and season them lightly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Coat Fillets: Place the flounder fillets on the plate with the breadcrumb mixture, oiled side down. Press each fillet gently into the mixture to ensure an even, firm coating on the exposed side.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the coated fillets onto the oiled baking sheet, coating side up, spaced evenly apart.
- Brush with Lemon Olive Oil: Mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, then brush this mixture over the coated fish to add moisture and a fresh citrus note.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the flounder is cooked through and the crust is golden brown and crispy. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your oven.
Notes
- For extra garlic flavor, feel free to add an additional teaspoon of garlic to the crust mixture.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crispier crust; regular breadcrumbs will yield a denser texture.
- Check the fish for doneness by ensuring it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- This recipe can be doubled to serve more people; just use a larger baking sheet or multiple pans to avoid overcrowding.
- Serve with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
