It’s possible to cook fish from frozen. This post will show you how to do it. There are two ways to do it: one is simple, and the other is for breaded fish.
Things go crazy when you forget to get something from the freezer for dinner. What do you do? You’re on your way home from work or picking up the kids when you remember you don’t have any plans for dinner. You quickly change your mind and decide to go to the store to get something quick and easy to cook. After waiting in line to pay, you get back in your car and drive home.
And you still have to actually *make* dinner. But you know what? This doesn’t happen to me anymore. Not since I learned how to cook fish from frozen. (You can also make air fryer frozen fish. ).
To find out more about how it all works, scroll down or click here. Now you can go straight to the recipe.
Cooking fish from frozen can be a convenient option for busy home cooks. With the right techniques, frozen fish fillets can turn out moist, flaky and full of flavor when baked in the oven. This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to cook delicious fish dinners using frozen fish fillets
Choosing the Right Frozen Fish
When cooking fish from frozen it’s important to choose varieties that hold up well. Lean fish with firm texture tend to work best as they retain moisture and won’t fall apart during baking. Some great options include
- Cod
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Salmon
- Tilapia
- Orange roughy
- Mahi mahi
- Snapper
Avoid fatty fish like tuna, mackerel and swordfish which can become overly dry when cooked from frozen.
Prep the Baking Sheet
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil This prevents the fish from sticking while baking. Lightly grease the parchment or foil with oil or nonstick cooking spray for extra insurance against sticking
If the fish fillets are especially thin or prone to overcooking, you can place them on a wire rack set inside the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate underneath for more even cooking.
Season the Fish
Seasoning is a must for boosting flavor, even when baking plain frozen fillets. Here are some easy seasoning ideas:
- Olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon slices
- Melted butter, garlic powder, paprika, parsley
- Olive oil, Cajun seasoning
- Pesto sauce or chimi churri blitzed with oil
- Teriyaki or soy sauce-based marinades
Remove fish fillets from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with oil or melted butter, then sprinkle on desired seasonings. Rub seasonings in slightly so they adhere.
Let seasoned fillets sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before baking so flavors are absorbed.
Bake from Frozen
Once seasoned, place fillets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet without overcrowding.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes before checking doneness. Baking time varies depending on thickness – thicker fillets made need up to 25 minutes. Check often to avoid overcooking.
The fish should flake easily with a fork when done. If thicker parts are still translucent, cover fillets loosely with foil and continue baking another 5-10 minutes until cooked through.
Let the baked fish rest 5 minutes before serving. Flake gently with a fork and serve with desired sauces or sides.
Handy Tips
- Brush fillets with mayo or mustard before seasoning for extra browning and moisture.
- Bake an aluminum foil packet of veggies or potatoes alongside the fish for easy meal-prepping.
- Try adding cheeses, herbs, citrus or other ingredients on top of fillets for the last 5 minutes of baking.
- For breaded fish, thaw slightly before breading and increase bake time by 5-10 minutes.
- Bake frozen fish on a lower oven rack for crisper bottoms.
Step-by-Step Photo Guide
Prep the baking sheet
Line with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
<img src=”https://recipes.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/how-to-cook-frozen-fish-in-oven-step-1.jpg” width=”500″ />
Pat fish dry
Remove any ice crystals and moisture before seasoning.
<img src=”https://recipes.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/how-to-cook-frozen-fish-in-oven-step-2.jpg” width=”500″ />
Season as desired
Brush with oil or butter and add salt, herbs or other seasoning.
<img src=”https://recipes.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/how-to-cook-frozen-fish-in-oven-step-3.jpg” width=”500″ />
Arrange in single layer
Make sure fillets are evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
<img src=”https://recipes.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/how-to-cook-frozen-fish-in-oven-step-4.jpg” width=”500″ />
Bake at 400°F
Bake for 15-25 minutes until opaque and flaky.
<img src=”https://recipes.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/how-to-cook-frozen-fish-in-oven-step-5.jpg” width=”500″ />
Let rest before serving
This retains moisture for tender, flaky results.
<img src=”https://recipes.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/how-to-cook-frozen-fish-in-oven-step-6.jpg” width=”500″ />
Common Questions
What if my fish sticks to the foil or parchment paper?
Gently loosen the fish with a thin spatula after baking. Consider lining the baking sheet with an oil-brushed foil sling to make removing fish easier.
Can I season under the skin of fish fillets?
Yes, gently peel back skin and season flesh with spices or compounds butters before replacing skin.
What temperature should I bake fish fillets at?
400°F is ideal, ensuring the outside browns while the inside cooks through. For very thin fillets, drop temp to 375°F.
Can I bake frozen fish in aluminum foil packets?
Yes, seal seasoned fillets in individual foil packets and bake as usual. This steams fish lightly as it cooks.
How do I know when frozen fish is fully cooked?
Check for opaque, flaky flesh that separates easily along the natural lines when prodded with a fork. Cook until it reaches 145°F internally.
The Takeaway
Baking frozen fish fillets is an easy route to fast, healthy meals. With the right prep and seasonings, you can enjoy tender, restaurant-worthy seafood entrées using the convenience of frozen fish. Just be sure to keep a close eye on bake times and use a thermometer for perfectly cooked results every time.
More Cooking From Frozen Guides
You can find all sorts of instructions and tips for cooking from frozen on my site. Here’s some you’ll definitely want to check out.
Video: How To Cook Fish From Frozen
The recipe below is just for cooking fish without a breading. But if you want it breaded like in the picture, here’s what you do.
I lightly oiled cod portions and put them on a heavy-duty baking sheet that can withstand a high temperature then baked at 450°F until nearly cooked through (about 10 minutes).
Meanwhile, mix together 2 tablespoons of milk with 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Set it aside.
In a separate bowl, combine ½ cup panko bread crumbs,1 tsp. olive oil, ⅛ tsp. salt, ⅛ tsp. black pepper, ¼ tsp. garlic powder. Keep stirring for a bit until all crumbs are moistened. Then, toast them for a few minutes over medium heat in a skillet or on a sheet pan in a 450F oven for three to five minutes (be careful and stir them once). No matter how you cook them, take the crumbs out of the pan or skillet right away so they don’t keep cooking.
Then I took the fish out of the oven and lightly brushed the tops of the fillets with the Dijon-milk mixture. I then sprinkled the toasted breadcrumbs on top of the fillets.
The cod goes back into the oven until the fish registers 145°F on an instant-read thermometer and was flaky in the middle. Easy, right? I hope you love this easy and convenient way to cook fish! -Christine xo