Panko crusted oven fried rockfish fillets fry up golden brown with a light, crispy crunch. Their mild fish flavor and parmesan panko coating means these rockfish fillets are sure to please the pickiest palates. Serve these fried fish fillets as the main course in fish tacos, fish sandwiches, or even fish and chips. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough for date night too. Read up on my tips and tricks below, then try your hand at making them for yourself.
Originally appearing on the blog in February 2016, the recipe was last updated in August 2019 to add a video.
There is something so satisfying about biting into a piece of perfectly crispy fried rockfish, with a crunchy coating on the outside and tender fish inside. Not heavy or fishy tasting, but mild and light, it satisfies even picky palates.
The panko crust browns up quickly to a light golden brown and because the magic happens in your oven instead of on the stovetop, you aren’t left with a big mess to clean up. The fish itself has a light flavor, not fishy, with a firm but tender texture that melts in your mouth.
Creating my perfect weeknight version of fried rockfish fillets took some trial and effort. Considering this is my most popular post, I’m sure you will agree that this fish recipe has it figured out.
Making Panko Crusted Rockfish
Getting this recipe just right took a few trials and a few errors. I discovered that perfecting this recipe involved not just one, but two tricks.
First panko style bread crumbs make a huge difference in the texture. Second, the combination of a cast iron skillet and the oven is a game changer. This fish cooks up in about 6 – 8 minutes, making a great option for a busy weekday evening.
A Little About Rockfish
For this recipe, I recommend rockfish. Here in the pacific northwest it is widely available. It is fairly inexpensive to buy and most of it is locally caught. Rockfish is a blanket term covering many different species of fish – more than 60 of which can be legally sold under the name rockfish – that all tend to lurk among the rocks near the bottom of the ocean.
Depending where you live, this fish can be called bass, red snapper, ocean perch or sea perch. While that can make fish buying confusing for many of us, lets focus less on the name and what we are looking for in a fish fillet.
Most importantly we are looking for a white fish, with a light flaky texture and a mild fish flavor. Most rockfish fillets that I find locally measure less than 1″ thick at their thickest point. This leads to a fast cooking time, which is key to getting this crispy coating and perfectly cooked fish at the same time.
If you are unable to find something labeled as rockfish, check with your butcher or seafood monger about substitutions. When I can’t find rockfish, I often substitute other types of whitefish like cod, tilapia, catfish or halibut.
Breading Rockfish Fillets
If you aren’t familiar with panko style bread crumbs, allow me to introduce you to my crunchy friends. Yes, they are different from regular bread crumbs. Panko is a Japanese style breadcrumb with chunks that are larger, crispier, and lighter. This means that the resulting crust is light and almost delicate in texture, which is exactly what we want.
These days you should be able to find them in most grocery stores, either with the regular bread crumbs or in the Asian foods section.
Dredging Rockfish Fillets
The recipe follows a standard dredging pattern to create a breading that doesn’t slide off. Start with the seasoned flour. Coat the fish lightly, making sure to get every available surface, then shake off any excess. Next dip it in the egg/milk mixture, again coating well.
Hold it up for a few seconds to allow any excess to drip off before placing it into the panko/parmesan mixture. Lightly press the mixture onto the fish, making sure it adheres fairly evenly. Place the breaded fish onto a clean plate to rest for at least 2 minutes before cooking so that the crumbs can soak into the egg.
The multiple steps are necessary to make it all stick. Wet won’t stick well to wet and dry won’t stick well to dry. By building the coating on in alternating layers of wet (fish), dry (flour), wet (egg), dry (panko) we create a crust that won’t fall off when we cook it or when we serve it.
Cooking Rockfish Fillets
Cooking these rockfish fillets in oven serves a few purposes. First, it allows you to use only 2 tablespoons of oil for frying. Much healthier than deep frying or even pan frying in a half inch of oil. Also, by cooking them in the oven the trapped heat allows them to cook through very quickly while the oil helps create that perfectly golden crust.
Bonus: the oven will contain all of the grease splatters, meaning less danger in the kitchen and less mess to clean up afterwards.
You will need to make sure that your pan is oven safe up to 450 degrees. While a stainless steel pan might get the job done, you will get better results with a cast iron skillet.
I previously recommended a 10″ skillet, but if you cut the larger fillets into two pieces, that 10″ skillet can get crowded. I now use a 13 3/4″ skillet. If you don’t have one that large, you can easily make this fish in two batches without the first one going cold.
You must preheat the oven with the pan inside. Be very careful when flipping these fillets over. Not only can grease splatter, but the tender fish can break apart. I use a spatula and a pair of tongs to gently turn the fish, but cutting the fish pieces in half makes this process much easier.
Alternative Air Fryer Instructions
I have received multiple requests for how to adapt this recipe for the air fryer and it’s a pretty simple fix. I have tested it in the Instant Vortex Plus air fryer oven. It should work the same in all air fryers, but you may need to adjust the timing.
The optimist in me would like to just swap oil frying for the air fryer with no recipe changes. The problem is that when panko is air fried without additional oil it gets super dry. Like cut the inside of your mouth dry. Which is not what we want.
To counter that dryness and maintain that just from the fryer texture, take part of the oil (2 tsp) and add it to the panko parmesan mixture. Stir it in to combine completely, then dredge the fish as instructed.
Setting the air fryer for 400º, it takes the same cook time in the air fryer as it does in the oven. You still want to flip them halfway through. Personally, I prefer the original recipe for flavor (real fried foods will always taste better in my book), but clean up in the air fryer is even easier.
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Panko Crusted Oven Fried Rockfish Fillets Recipe
Crispy, crunchy, golden brown panko crusted oven fried rockfish fillets are sure to please the pickiest palates. Serve them with a simple salad or try them with my Easy Oven Asparagus or Screaming Skillet Green Beans. These rockfish fillets are also excellent for fish tacos – swap them for the grilled fillets in these Grilled Rockfish Tacos.
If you have leftovers, or just want to do the work in advance, these fish fillets keep well in the fridge for a day or the freezer for up to 3 months. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then place in a zip top or other airtight container for storage. To reheat, bake in a 375 degree oven until they are hot through.
For more delicious entrees, check out my main dish recipe collection.
If you like this recipe, please give it a FIVE STAR rating and share on Instagram tag #reneenicoleskitchen and @reneenicoleskitchen.
Panko Crusted Oven Fried Rockfish Fillets
Panko crusted rockfish fillets are hand breaded and oven fried to the perfect golden brown on the outside with mild flaky fish on the inside. They make for an easy, but impressive dinner and even the pickiest palates will approve. (Now with air fryer instructions too!)
Ingredients
Fish
- 2 rockfish fillets*, 3/4 - 1 pound
- 2 TBSP of olive or vegetable oil for frying
Flour Dredge
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 2 TBSP milk
Panko Crust
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs**
- 3 TBSP grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp of Old Bay Seasoning
Instructions
- Place a large oven safe skillet into the oven and preheat to 425 degrees.
Set up the dredging assembly line:
- In a large bowl combine together the the flour, salt and pepper. Stir then pour onto a large plate.
- In the same bowl combine together the panko, seasoning blend, and parmesan cheese. Stir then pour onto a large plate.
- Wipe out the bowl, then use it again to whisk together the egg and milk.
Prep the fish:
- Check the fish fillets for any bones and remove as necessary. Slice fish in half if necessary.***
- Dredge first first in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip fish into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Coat fish in the panko mixture, shaking off any excess. Place on a clean plate and allow to rest 1 - 2 minutes so the panko can adhere.
Fry the fish:
- When the oven is preheated, add the 2 tablespoons of oil to the hot pan. Allow to heat 1 minute. Carefully add fish fillets to the hot oil.
- Cook for 3 - 4 minutes, then carefully flip over.
- Cook an additional 3 - 4 minutes, then check with a meat thermometer for an internal temperature of at least 140 degrees.
- While fish cook, set up a cooling rack over a couple layers of paper towels.
- Remove fish from the pan and place on the cooling rack. Allow to drain 3 - 5 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
*If you rockfish is thicker than 1" at their thickest point, you'll need to add an extra minute or two to the cook time.
**Many of the rockfish fillets I find in the pacific northwest are too big to handle without splashing grease or having them fall apart on me. Slicing them into more manageable fillets makes this cooking method much easier.
***If your rockfish fillets are large enough to cut into more than 2 pieces, you may want to add an extra tablespoon or two of panko to the crumb mixture.
To adapt for the air fryer:
Cut the oil from 2 TBSP to 2 tsp. Combine the oil with the panko parmesan mixture, stirring to ensure the oil is absorbed by the panko, then dredge as instructed. Air Fry at 400º until crispy, about 6 - 8 minutes, turning over half way through the cook time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 455Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 1415mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 36g
Thank you for this recipe! We made it last night and it was a hit. Definitely will be making it again.
So happy to hear that Angelyn!
I recently had a memorable deep sea fishing trip that left my freezer full of Pacific rock and ling cod. I searched for the perfect simple and quick recipe and found it. Thank you Renee for the clear step by step instructions and everyone that I make it for falls in love fish eaters or not. The ingredients are commonly used items and readily available at most stores. I don’t normally write reviews but this one deserved my attention.
David, I am so happy to hear this!! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and let me know.
After a day deep sea fishing my buddy & I each came home with 10 Rockfish, about 12# of fillets. He fixed a meal at his house on my way home. He is a good cook, but I was disappointed in the meal. Upon arriving home, I froze all the rockfish, wondering if I could find a recipe that would improve the results of our trip. WOW, did I!! This recipe of yours is fantastically easy and delicious. I thawed a package of 3 fillets, which my wife and I ate for three meals! I raved to my buddy about this and have sent the recipe on to him. You saved a lot of fish from going bye-bye the wrong way! Thank you
Paul, This makes me so happy!!! I would hate for all that rockfish to go to waste and so glad you came across my post. Don’t forget to also check out my Rockfish Tacos – you can make the fish crispy with this recipe, or grill it on a cedar plank as described in that recipe. I’m also working on some rockfish cakes (like crab cakes) but my supply of rockfish isn’t as plentiful as yours, so it’s a little slow going.
Awesome recipe! I substituted Italian bread crumbs for Panko (didn’t have them). Will definitely make this again & again. Oh, I had oven baked asparagus too… very yummy dinner with a side salad.
So glad you enjoyed it Melinda!! If you do try it with panko next time, come back and tell me which one you like better! I can’t find a brand of standard breadcrumbs that I like, so short of making my own (which doesn’t happen for a weeknight meal) I stick with panko. I’d love to hear your comparison of the two.
I have never before been moved to write a comment on a recipe but this one is too good to pass up. Read your directions and expected to end up with a good meal. Followed your directions to the letter and ended up with a gourmet treat. The crisp, ever so slightly salty crust perfectly sets off the moist flaky fish inside. The assembly line, the oven, and of course the Panko and grated Parmesan made the process painless and the result delightful. I also appreciated your description of the process, which explained why you do it just this way and convinced me to do so as well.
Thank you.
Neil,
You are welcome. I am so glad you took the time to leave a comment and let me know that it worked so well!! It’s comments like these that make me remember why I do this: so that people like you can make amazing food at home. I’m so glad you loved it.
Renee
This is a restaurant quality meal. The fish was delicious. Using such simple ingredients to create this meal was awesome. Your pictures and directions were very helpful. I know I am going to be making this recipe often. Next time, I am going to heat my cast iron skillet on the BBQ and cook my fish on the BBQ with the lid closed. My oven takes too long to reach the suggested temperature and then to cool down, especially annoying on a hot day like it was today. Thank you for posting this recipe and giving the “from scratch” enthusiasts a quality blog site.
Thank you Eieen. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the one negative about this recipe is the hot oven on a hot day. It’s not so bad in Spring or Fall, but in the midst of Summer it can be too much. I think your plan to use the grill will work well. If it does, share it on Instagram and tag me @reneengardner so I can see!
I love this method of “frying” fish! I didn’t have parm, so I used blue cheese instead. So light and delicious. Thanks for sharing!!
Ohh!! Did you use a hard, aged blue cheese?! That sounds like such a fun combination.
I made the recipe, followed it to a “T” including the iron skillet. I would make it again and again using even other types of fish. I purchased a bit more rockfish than I really needed as I often do misjudge when buying fish. So the extra breaded uncooked fish ready to go I will make fish tacos with tomorrow as Renee suggested..The fish comes out super crispy and not greasy like a fried fish would..
Laurie – I am so glad to hear you love this recipe! If you don’t mind, please let me know how the extra fish turns out. Any time I’ve had extra I’ve gone ahead and cooked it, then froze it for later. I’d be very interested in knowing how it kept – did you refrigerate or freeze the breaded fish? Did it turn out as crispy as the fish cooked immediately?
I am addicted to panko breadcrumbs! I started using them a year or so ago, and prefer them over regular breadcrumbs…I don’t even remember the last time I used regular breadcrumbs. This fish sounds delicious. And so easy for weeknights, it’s perfect!
I’m the same way! Before I discovered panko you wouldn’t find breadcrumbs in my pantry. Now, I buy a new box before the old runs out. I hope you get the chance to try this fish!
This was an easy, delicious recipe. Thank you for sharing it.
You are welcome Susuan! Glad you enjoyed it!
Holy Panko Batman! Thank you so much for this recipe!! We recently moved to the PNW and I came upon a great deal for some fresh caught Rockfish. I was unfamiliar with this fish but I bought a large quantity as the price was so good and it was fresh. I packaged it up in multiple pkgs for my freezer. I tried (unsuccessfully) cooking two separate batches. I had avoided cooking the rest for the past couple of months, and was contemplating throwing it all out! (I am a great cook, really…lol) I followed your recipe to the letter, using the coconut oil option and my cast iron skillet. I actually made two batches, as I had packaged the fish in parcels of 4. We LOVE it! I took pics but I don’t see an option to upload them. Anyway, I am forever grateful and will make it this way from now on, and I will not shy away from buying Rockfish in the future! Thank you again!! P.S. So much less mess than pan frying on the stove top! P.P.S. Sorry for such a long review! xoxo
Janet,
Thank you for the long review!! I’m so glad that you not only found a tasty way to use all that rockfish, but I’m glad your family loved it as well. I am new to the PNW as well and can’t wait to get my hands on more of it. It’s still my favorite way to eat it. If you want, post the pics on IG and tag me @reneenicoleskitchen! I’d love to see how they turned out! You can also find me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNicolesKitchen
Exceptional! Crispy, crunchy without all the oil. My guy is gluten free, so I dusted the fish first with gluten free flour, then the egg wash, followed by medium-fine cornmeal. It was amazing.
So glad it worked well for you with your substitutions! The cornmeal would give it an excellent crunch!
This was delicious! I used half of the Bay seasoning since we don’t like spicey food. Because it is a hot summer day, I didn’t want to heat up the kitchen. So I pan fried the fish for about 8 min total with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a non stick pan. The crust was brown and crisp. This is actually fairly easy. I will definitely make it again.
Thanks Anne! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Love this recipe for fish fillets. The crispy crust made all the difference with our rockfish fillet.
And so easy. Will it work with salmon? Next time….
Thanks Betty! It’s still my favorite way to eat fish. I’m not sure if it will work with a salmon filet, since they are cut much thicker. You’d probably end up with the outside cooking too fast and the inside not cooking through. If you do want to try it, I’d cut the salmon filet in half crosswise to make it about as thick as the rockfish. Please come back and let me know if it works!!
Delicious! This is exactly how I love to eat fish.
Thanks Erin! Me too!
This is a great recipe – delicious and easy.
The panko adds a light crispy taste with great texture
Thanks for sharing, Renee!
You are welcome Sabrina! This is still my favorite way to make fish – I may have to put it into the rotation this week!
Love this recipe! This is the second time I have made this in 10 days. I do not have a cast iron skillet so I use my calphalon and it came out beautiful.wonderfully crispy and lightly browned! Perfect! Thanks so much for this!!
Wow Colleen! That’s great to hear! Even I struggle to get it right when it isn’t cast iron. I’m so glad you are enjoying it – it’s my absolute favorite way to eat fish!
So very delicious!! Thank you for the amazing recipe!
It was my first time cooking rock cod (fiance just caught it 3 days ago) and I will definitely be using this recipe again! Even the mother in law who doesn’t eat fish said it was good! thanks again!
Thank you Vanessa!! This is still one of my most favorite fish recipes and I’m glad your family enjoyed it. Best wishes to you and your fiance (and I hope you find more recipes to impress your mother-in-law too!)
You say oven fried but it does not say to put into the oven after frying
Samantha, Thanks for taking the time to comment! The frying in this recipe actually happens in the oven. As the directions say, you preheat the oven with the pan inside and then add the oil, followed by the fish. In a matter of minutes you have crispy fish fried inside the oven. I hope you enjoy it! – Renee
You did not put oven temperature in recipe.
Hi Mary! Thanks for stopping by! The first instruction in the recipe card says “Place a 10″ oven safe skillet into the oven and preheat to 425 degrees.” The oven and pan must both be heated to 425 degrees in order for the fish to brown properly. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Renee Nicole
As I don’t have a cast iron skillet, I used an old baking sheet but upped the temp to 450. Worked perfectly.
Felesha is right! Crunchy panko with juicy fish inside… It is the BEST!
Renee, these fillets are perfectly brown! You really can’t beat the crunchy, crispy texture of Panko. I’d love these fillets on a sandwich!!
They work wonderfully on a sandwich (or in a taco too!)
I just love working with panko! It’s only the best crunch EVER!!!
Exactly what I needed to go with the tilapia in the freezer … I was wondering how to make it “new and exciting” this week!!
yummed and stumbled
Thank you!! Hope you enjoy!
I don’t think I have had rockfish before but your pictures make it look SO GOOD! It just happens that i have a packet of panko bread crumbs in my pantry and I think you just gave me an idea on how to use it! Thanks for the share 🙂
This looks great! I am always thrilled to try new fish recipes!
If you do not have a cast iron skillet do not make this recipe. At 450 degrees the panko coating will not brown. The fish will be done, but if you want brown crusted fish you’ll be disappointed
George is right. The dark color of the cast iron definitely impacts the browning of the panko. If you make it in a stainless steel pan the fish will be cooked, but the breading will only be lightly browned.
You don’t need a cast iron skillet. Used an old “seasoned” baking sheet that I’ve had for 35 years. Covered the base with light olive oil and preheated. My rockfish fillets were a little thicker so needed an extra minute or so but came out golden brown nonetheless..Was devoured by the family with gusto. Definitely a keeper for the family recipe box.
Thank you Julie for sharing your experience! I’m so glad it worked out well and your family enjoyed it.