Juicy Baked Cod with Ritz Cracker Topping

If you ask me, a crispy cracker crust on fish is one of the best dinner ideas ever.

This classic baked cod dish brings together flaky white fish with a golden-brown Ritz cracker topping that my whole family loves. The buttery crackers create the perfect crispy layer while keeping the cod underneath nice and tender.

The topping comes together in just minutes using crushed Ritz crackers, a pat of melted butter, and a few simple seasonings. When baked, it forms this amazing crust that takes plain cod to a whole new level.

It’s the kind of no-fuss recipe that works perfectly for busy weeknights, yet feels special enough for company.

Which Kind of Cod Should I Use?

For baked cod recipes, you’ll want to look for thick, white fillets that are firm to the touch and smell fresh like the ocean. Pacific cod and Atlantic cod are both great choices, though Pacific tends to be a bit more budget-friendly. Fresh cod is wonderful if you can find it, but don’t shy away from frozen – most fish is frozen right after being caught anyway, and good quality frozen cod will work perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure your fillets are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking. When shopping, look for pieces that are roughly the same thickness (about 1-1.5 inches) so they’ll cook evenly under that crispy Ritz topping.

Options for Substitutions

This simple fish dish is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can swap if needed:

• Cod: While cod works great for this recipe, you can use other mild white fish like haddock, halibut, or pollock. Just adjust cooking time based on the thickness of your fish – thinner fillets will cook faster.
• Ritz crackers: No Ritz on hand? Try using crushed butter crackers, panko breadcrumbs, or even crushed potato chips. If using plain breadcrumbs, add an extra tablespoon of melted butter to get that rich taste.
• Italian parsley: You can swap parsley with other fresh herbs like dill or chives. If using dried herbs, reduce the amount to 1-2 teaspoons since dried herbs are more concentrated.
• Butter: Olive oil works as a substitute, though you’ll miss some of that buttery flavor. For a dairy-free version, try using melted dairy-free butter substitutes.
• Lemon: If you’re out of fresh lemon, you can use 1-2 teaspoons of bottled lemon juice, or try lime for a different citrus kick.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when baking cod is overcooking it, which can turn this tender fish dry and rubbery – instead, cook just until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, usually about 12-15 minutes depending on thickness. Another common error is not patting the fish dry before adding the topping, which can make the cracker crust soggy – take a moment to thoroughly dry the cod with paper towels and season it well with salt and pepper before adding your Ritz topping. To get that perfect golden-brown crust, avoid crushing the Ritz crackers too finely – you want a mix of both fine crumbs and slightly larger pieces for the best texture, and try placing the dish under the broiler for the final 1-2 minutes of cooking (watching carefully to prevent burning). For the most flavorful results, let the melted butter cool slightly before mixing it with the cracker crumbs, as this helps the topping stick together better and creates a more even coating on the fish.

What to Serve With Baked Cod?

This buttery, cracker-topped cod pairs perfectly with simple sides that let the fish stay in the spotlight. A scoop of fluffy rice pilaf or roasted baby potatoes makes an excellent base for soaking up any butter that melts off the fish. For vegetables, I love serving it with roasted asparagus or steamed green beans – just add a squeeze of lemon and you’re good to go. If you want to keep things light and fresh, a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette works great too, especially in warmer months.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Got leftover baked cod? Pop it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. It’ll stay good for up to 2 days, though the cracker topping might lose some of its crunch. I like to place a paper towel on top to absorb any excess moisture.

Make Ahead: While this dish is best served fresh, you can prep the Ritz cracker topping mixture up to a day ahead. Just store it in a sealed container at room temperature until you’re ready to cook the fish. This is a great time-saver when you’re planning dinner for guests!

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover cod, gently warm it in the oven at 275°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until just heated through. Try to avoid using the microwave, as it can make the fish rubbery and the topping soggy. A quick trip under the broiler for 1-2 minutes can help crisp up the topping again!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	18-20 minutes
Total Time	28-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 50-55 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 40-45 g

Ingredients

For the cod:

• black pepper to taste (freshly ground for best flavor)
• 2 thick-cut cod pieces (1 lb total)
• salt to taste

For the cracker topping:

• 1 large handful fresh Italian parsley (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (I like Kerrygold unsalted butter for this)
• 14 Ritz crackers (crushed finely)

For serving:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced

Step 1: Prepare the Cod

Remove the cod from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to cook it.

Pat the cod fillets dry using a paper towel to ensure a good sear and even cooking.

Step 2: Make the Cracker Topping

Using your hands or a food processor, crush approximately 14 Ritz crackers into large crumbs, taking care not to turn them into a fine powder.

In a small skillet over low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.

Turn off the heat and add the crushed Ritz crackers, a handful of chopped Italian parsley, and season with salt and pepper.

Stir gently to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 3: Preheat the Cooking Surface

Preheat a skillet or a sheet pan by melting a small amount of butter in it.

This will help prevent the cod from sticking during the cooking process.

Step 4: Season and Arrange the Cod

Season both sides of the cod fillets with salt and black pepper.

Place the seasoned cod into the buttered skillet or sheet pan.

Spoon the Ritz cracker and butter mixture over the top of the fish, allowing some to fall off the sides if necessary for an even blanket of flavor.

Step 5: Bake the Cod

Place the skillet or sheet pan into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C).

Bake the cod for about 18-20 minutes or until it reaches your desired level of doneness, checking for a flaky texture and opaque flesh.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the cod is baked to perfection, carefully remove it from the oven.

Serve the baked cod with sliced lemon on the side for a burst of fresh flavor.

Enjoy your delightful, buttery dish!