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 frozen fish in the oven is an easy and delicious way to get a healthy meal on the table fast. With just a few simple tricks, you can make baked fish from frozen that is moist, flaky, and full of flavor. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to master oven-baking frozen fish fillets or steaks.
Why Choose Cooking Frozen Fish in the Oven
There are several advantages to baking fish straight from the freezer:
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Convenience: No need to plan ahead or thaw. Just pop the frozen fish right into the preheated oven. This makes whipping up a last-minute healthy dinner or meal prep for your weeknights easier.
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Locks in freshness Frozen-at-sea fish retains its fresh caught quality and flavor better than “fresh” fish which has been sitting at the seafood counter for days
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Food safety Cooking from frozen helps prevent bacteria growth that can occur during the thawing process
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Even cooking: The dry, surrounding heat of the oven cooks the fish evenly all the way through without overcooking the outside.
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Easy cleanup: Foil lined baking sheets make for fuss-free cleanup. No need to even wash the pan!
How to Bake Fish Fillets Straight from Frozen
Baking is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to cook frozen fish. Follow this simple step-by-step:
1. Choose Your Fish
Virtually any fish fillet or steak works well baked straight from frozen, including:
- Salmon (sockeye, coho)
- Cod
- Halibut
- Mahi mahi
- Snapper
- Sole
- Tilapia
- Trout
- Tuna
Thicker, meatier fish like salmon, halibut, or cod are best for getting a nice crispy top when baked. Lean, thin fish like tilapia and sole cook faster and are ideal for weeknight meals.
2. Prep the Baking Sheet
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. The foil prevents the fish from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Lightly coat the foil with cooking spray or brush with oil. This ensures the fish won’t stick as it cooks.
3. Arrange the Fish
Remove fish from packaging and place directly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer without overcrowding.
Leave a bit of space between fillets or steaks to allow the heat to circulate evenly.
4. Season the Fish (Optional)
Seasoning is optional but recommended to boost flavor. Try any of the following:
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon pepper
- Cajun seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika
- Thyme or oregano
- Chili powder and lime
- Sesame oil and soy sauce
Brushing the fish with a little olive oil or melted butter before seasoning also helps the seasoning stick.
5. Bake From Frozen
Bake in a preheated 400°F oven until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The baking time varies depending on thickness.
- Thin fillets (1/2 inch): 15-18 minutes
- Thick fillets (1 inch): 20-25 minutes
- Steaks (1.5 inches+): 25-30 minutes
Rotate the pan halfway through for even cooking. Tent loosely with foil if fish is browning too quickly.
6. Check for Doneness
The fish should flake easily and look opaque throughout when poked with a fork. Check the thickest part of the fillet.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the inner temperature:
- Salmon, tuna, mahi mahi: 125°F
- Cod, halibut, snapper: 140°F
7. Let Sit Before Serving
When the fish is done, remove from the oven and let rest on the baking sheet for 2-5 minutes.
This finish cooking the inside without overcooking the outside. The fish will continue cooking from residual heat.
Dig in and enjoy your perfectly baked frozen fish!
How to Roast Frozen Fish Fillets
Roasting utilizes dry heat to achieve a beautifully caramelized exterior on the fish. Follow these simple steps:
1. Prepare the Baking Sheet
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease with oil or cooking spray.
2. Rinse and Pat Dry the Fish
Rinse frozen fillets under cold water to remove any ice crystals then pat extremely dry with paper towels. Wet fish will steam instead of browning.
3. Season the Fish
Brush fillets lightly with oil or melted butter then generously season as desired.
4. Roast at High Heat
Roast in a preheated 425°F oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
Watch closely to avoid burning. You want a nice golden crust, not charred fish.
5. Check for Doneness
Test fish with a fork for flakiness then use a thermometer to check the inner temp.
6. Let Rest and Serve
Allow the roasted fish to rest for 2-5 minutes before serving. Enjoy the tender interior and crispy exterior!
Helpful Tips for Baking Frozen Fish
Follow these tips for the best results when oven baking frozen fish fillets, steaks, or portions:
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Don’t crowd the pan: Allow space between pieces so steam can escape. Crowding causes steaming versus baking.
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Use light colored baking pans: Dark pans cause overbrowning on the delicate fish.
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Preheat the oven well: Frozen fish needs a fully preheated oven to bake evenly.
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Flip halfway: Rotate the pan and gently flip the fish halfway through baking for even cooking.
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Use a thermometer: This eliminates any guesswork and ensures perfect doneness.
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Allow carryover cooking: When the fish is almost done, remove from oven and let residual heat finish cooking. No overcooked fish!
Side Dishes for Baked Frozen Fish
Baked fish pairs well with a variety of healthy vegetable side dishes. Consider rounding out your meal with:
- Asparagus, broccoli, green beans, or Brussels sprouts – roasted or sautéed
- Rice pilaf or risotto
- Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
- A leafy green salad
- Garlic bread or rolls
You can prep the sides while the fish bakes for an easy, all-in-one meal.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Properly stored, leftover baked or roasted frozen fish will keep 3-4 days refrigerated.
To store, allow cooked fish to cool slightly, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate immediately.
To reheat, place in a baking dish, lightly cover with foil, and bake at 350°F until heated through, 15-20 minutes.
Microwaving and steaming are other options for gently reheating without overcooking the fish.
Get Endless Recipe Inspiration for Frozen Fish
Cooking frozen fish in the oven is just the beginning. There are so many delicious ways to prepare it, from simmering in soups and chowders to tossing into pasta and rice bowls.
Explore our endless recipes for frozen fish inspiration any night of the week. Try this flavorful Lemon Baked Salmon or easy Crispy Fish Tacos.
The options are truly unlimited with frozen fish fillets and steaks on hand. You’ll never have to worry about a boring or bland dinner again.
So skip the intimidating raw fish counter and stock up on individually vacuum sealed frozen fish delivered right to your door. With just your oven and a few key tips, you can be enjoying delicious, flaky baked fish in minutes any night of the week.
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