Baked Blackened Cod
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Baked Blackened Cod is an excellent option for a busy weeknight! The buttery cod and slightly spicy blackened crust provide the ultimate flavor and texture. The cod is cooked to perfection in a cast iron skillet with olive oil and butter to give extra flavor, and is ready in under 20 minutes!
If you love this recipe, you should try my Baked Cod en Papillote (Cod in Parchment) and Baked Mediterranean Cod with Roasted Tomatoes.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 6 people
- Dietary Info: Gluten Free, can be made Dairy Free
- Method: Oven Baked
- Technique: Pat the cod dry, then coat it generously with the blackening seasoning. Sear in a hot pan with butter until a dark crust forms and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Flavor & Texture: Perfectly flaky and tender inside with a seasoned, slightly crisp crust on the outside. The warm spices and butter create bold flavor while still letting the delicate cod shine!
Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite!
This blackened cod is one of those recipes I make when I want something fast but still full of flavor. It feels a little special, but it’s truly so simple. All you need is good seasoning, high heat, and fresh fish!
- Bold, Smoky Flavor: The blackening seasoning creates a deep, savory crust with just the right amount of warmth, while still letting the delicate cod shine.
- Tender & Flaky Texture: A quick sear in butter locks in moisture, giving you a perfectly flaky center with a lightly crisp exterior.
- Quick & Healthy Dinner: Ready in 15 minutes, this recipe is light, protein-rich, and perfect for busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor.
If you love easy seafood dinners, you will also enjoy my Crispy Baked Cod with Panko, Marry Me Shrimp, or classic Baked Flounder with Lemon Butter Sauce.
Made With Amore,
“This recipe is easy and so delicious. I used the blackened seasoning on halibut and my husband and I loved it. I paired it with a tomato peach salad for a healthy dinner.”
– Lori
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Baked Blackened Cod
Made with only a few simple ingredients, this seasoned cod is an easy recipe that you will make repeatedly.
- Cod Fillets: Mild, flaky white fish that cooks quickly and absorbs the bold seasoning beautifully. Choose fresh or frozen fillets.
- Blackening Seasoning: A blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper creates that signature smoky, slightly spicy crust. You can adjust the heat to your preference.
- Butter: Helps create a rich, flavorful crust while keeping the fish tender and moist as it sears. The butter also enhances the warm spices in the seasoning.
- Olive Oil: Prevents sticking and helps the seasoning adhere evenly to the fish while promoting a beautiful golden crust.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Different Fish Options: Swap the cod for haddock, pollack, black cod, stripped bass, hake, mahi mahi, or grouper. You can even use salmon if that is the easiest to find! Try my Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass Recipe next.
- Dairy-Free Version: Replace the butter with additional olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative for a completely dairy-free option.
- Sweet: Brush the fish with a little honey before adding the seasoning, or mix a bit of brown sugar into the blackening spice for a touch of sweetness. You’d love my Easy Baked Honey Orange Sesame Salmon.
- Extra Spicy: Add red chili flakes or increase the cayenne in the spice mix for a bolder kick.
How to Make Blackened Cod
This recipe comes together quickly and is packed with delicious flavors! Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- In a small bowl, mix all of the blackening spices until combined. Make sure they are blended evenly.
- Thoroughly pat the fish dry with a paper towel.
- Add oil to the cod fish.
- Rub each side with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Coat both sides of the fish fillets with the blackened seasoning mix.
- Shake off any excess spices.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large heavy-bottomed or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the rub turns black. Add butter to the pan (butter can burn at high heat, which is why we add it later in cooking).
- Flip the fish fillet and cook another 1-2 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flaky. Serve.
Recipe FAQs
You can make blackened cod on the grill or in the oven. Oven-baked cod won’t produce the same blackened color, but it will still taste delicious! Bake in the oven: turn the broiler high and place the oven rack on the top shelf. Broil the fish for 3-4 minutes. Flip the fish and broil for 3-4 minutes or until tender and flaky. Grill the fish for several minutes over high heat, flipping halfway through.
Blackened fish can sometimes look burnt, but it doesn’t taste burnt. Blackening is a cooking technique that yields significant char on the surface of the food. The spice combination and cooking in a hot pan give the food an intense and deliciously unique flavor.
Storing: As with all fish recipes, it is best eaten fresh on the day it is cooked. Leftover cod will keep well in the fridge for a couple of days when stored correctly in airtight containers. Reheating: For best results, reheat the cod in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350ºF. I don’t recommend microwaving as it tends to overcook the fish and dry out the topping.
Cooked cod should be an even opaque white color throughout when cooked. The white flesh should flake easily when you twist a fork in the thickest part of the fish. The internal temperature reaches 145°F when a thermometer is inserted into the thickest part for the perfect flaky white fish.
Serving Suggestions
This delicate cod recipe is the perfect main dish for several side options! Make Shredded Zucchini and Cheese Pasta (easy), sauteed frozen green beans, or Best Italian Oven Roasted Potatoes and Easy Soft Italian No Knead Bread with a side of Italian Fennel, Citrus, Pomegranate, and Salad. For dessert, pair it with strawberry tiramisu recipe!
My Pro Tips
Expert Tips
- Check for doneness. Use a thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature reaches 145°F at the thickest part for perfectly flaky cod.
- Dry the fillets. Pat the fish completely dry before seasoning. This ensures a nice sear instead of steaming in the pan.
- Even cooking. Make sure fillets are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give each piece some space to sear properly and develop a crisp, flavorful crust.
More Fish Recipes
💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.
Baked Blackened Cod
Ingredients
Cod
- 4 cod fish fillets, 5-6 oz each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for rubbing on fish
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Blackening seasoning, homemade or store-bought
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon paprika, smoked or sweet
- ½ tablespoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all of the blackening spices until combined. Make sure they are blended evenly.
- Thoroughly pat the fish dry with a paper towel. Rub each side with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Coat both sides of the fish fillets with the blackened seasoning mix, shaking off any excess spices.
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the rub turns black. Add butter to the pan (butter can burn at high heat, which is why we add it later in cooking).
- Flip the fish fillet and cook another 1-2 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flaky. Serve warm with a side of rice and a simple green salad. Enjoy!
Notes
- Check for doneness. Use a thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature reaches 145°F at the thickest part for perfectly flaky cod.
- Dry the fillets. Pat the fish completely dry before seasoning. This ensures a nice sear instead of steaming in the pan.
- Even cooking. Make sure fillets are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give each piece some space to sear properly and develop a crisp, flavorful crust.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is easy and so delicious. I used the blackened seasoning on halibut and my husband and I loved it. I paired it with a tomato peach salad for a healthy dinner.
YUM! I love halibut and I want to try with this seasoning. YUM! I am happy you and your husband loved it.
You need to try my grilled peach and burrata salad next- I think you’ll love that for summer.
Making this for dinner tonight!
Blackened Cod with mashed red potatoes with skins on…. warm milk, butter garlic and onion powder. broccoli on the side
Thanks for the recipe!
You will love this recipe! Yes, those sides to pair sound like a winning combo!
Excellent!
Thank you. I’m happy you loved it.
Easy to make and tasty..
Thanks! Enjoy.
The cod is super flaky and flavorful! Absolutely delicious.