Baked Fish Appetizer Bites (Printable version)
Tender fish cubes coated with panko and Parmesan then baked until golden and crisp.
# What you need:
→ Fish
01 - 14 oz skinless, boneless white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or tilapia)
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
05 - 0.5 tsp salt
06 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
→ Coating
07 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
08 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 tsp sweet paprika
10 - 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
→ For Baking
11 - Olive oil spray or 1 tbsp olive oil
# How To:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly oil or spray it.
02 - Cut fish fillets into 1-inch bite-sized cubes.
03 - Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add fish cubes and toss gently to coat. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes.
04 - In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, sweet paprika, and dried parsley.
05 - Remove fish from marinade, letting excess drip off. Roll each cube in breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
06 - Place coated fish bites evenly on prepared baking sheet.
07 - Lightly spray or drizzle olive oil over fish bites to enhance crispiness.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
09 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges or preferred dipping sauce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They bake instead of fry, so your kitchen stays grease-free and the bites turn golden without the heavy oil.
- Prep takes minutes, baking takes less than 20, but they taste like you fussed all afternoon.
- The lemon and Parmesan combo keeps them fresh-tasting, never fishy or bland.
02 -
- Don't skip the parchment paper or oil spray—bites will stick and fall apart, and cleanup becomes frustrating.
- The halfway turn matters more than you'd think; it's the difference between golden and burnt.
03 -
- The oil spray makes the difference between pale and golden—don't skip it thinking you're being virtuous.
- Fresh Parmesan tastes miles better than the pre-grated kind, and it sets these apart from ordinary fish appetizers.