Easy Lemon Pepper Fish
This easy Easy Lemon Pepper Fish recipe can be made two ways: crispy breaded or seared using cod, tilapia, catfish, or any white fish you choose. This dish is drizzled in a zesty lemon butter sauce for mouthwatering flavor.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 258kcal
Ingredients
- 4 white fish fillets I used cod, approximately 1 pound total
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Regular paprika is fine.
- salt to taste
- cooking oil I use olive oil.
- 1/4-1/2 cup fish fry breading Only necessary for breaded fish. Use enough to fully coat the fish.
Lemon Pepper Glaze
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice For me, this was the juice from 1 small lemon.
- 1 1/2-2 teaspoons lemon zest Use 2 teaspoons for bold lemon flavor. This was 1 small lemon.
Instructions
Breaded Fish
- Ensure the fish is completely dry.
- Combine the fish fry breading, paprika, lemon pepper, and salt in a bowl large enough to dredge the fish.
- Sprinkle the fish fry onto both sides of each fillet. Ensure the entire filet is coated with breading. Add additional breading if necessary. See notes if you struggle with getting the breading to adhere.
- Air Fryer: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the breaded fish in the air fryer basket. Spray the fish with cooking oil. Air fry on 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Flip the fish halfway through. Cook time will vary based on the size and how thick the fish fillets are.Top the fish with the lemon pepper glaze or use it for dipping. I like to top the fish with glaze and then air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes for the glaze to seep in.
- Oven: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Placed the breaded fish on the parchment paper. Spray the fish with cooking oil.Bake on 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cook time will vary based on the size and how thick the fish fillets are.Top the fish with the lemon pepper glaze or use it for dipping.
Non-Breaded Fish
- Ensure the fish is completely dry.
- Sprinkle both sides of the fish with lemon pepper, paprika, and salt to taste. Rub the spices into the fish.
- Pan Sear: Add 1 teaspoon of cooking oil or butter to a skillet on medium-high heat. When hot, add the seasoned fish. Do not overcrowd the pan. The fish shouldn't touch. Cook the fish in batches if needed.Cook the fish for 2-3 minutes on each side until the fish is cooked through. It will turn opaque at the center. The fish will easily flake with a fork when it has finished cooking.Top the fish with the lemon pepper glaze.
- Air Fryer: Add the seasoned fish to the air fryer. Air fry on 400 degrees for 7-10 minutes or until the fish is flaky. Cook time will vary based on the size and how thick the fish fillets are.Top the fish with the lemon pepper glaze.
- Oven: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Placed the seasoned fish on the parchment paper.Bake on 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the fish is flaky. Cook time will vary based on the size and how thick the fish fillets are.Top the fish with the lemon pepper glaze.
Lemon Pepper Glaze
- Add the butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a saucepan on medium-high heat. Stir and cook until the lemon zest has dissolved.
Notes
If you struggle with getting the breading to adhere, you can coat both sides of the fish with mustard prior to adding the breading. The fish won't taste like mustard. Mustard is great to use for fish, ribs, etc. to keep breading intact. Using this method, the fish won't be as crispy! So keep that in mind. If the fish is completely dry, the breading should stick just fine on its own.
For any cooking method you use, your cook time will vary based on the size of the fish you use. You will need to keep a watchful eye as it cooks or you will risk overcooking the fish and it will turn out dry.
For breaded air fryer fish, if you don't flip the fish the other side won't crisp.
For crispy fish, it's better to use the butter lemon glaze for dipping. The sauce may soften the breading on the fish.
If using breading, be sure to spritz the fish with oil after breading, and spray any white spots to ensure proper crisping.
You can melt the butter for the glaze in the microwave and combine it with the lemon. I find it harder to get the lemon zest to smooth out doing it this way. (So I don't, lol).
Nutrition
Serving: 4oz | Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 7g