Simple yet delicious cod fish fillets, baked in the oven (or air fryer) ready in about 30 minutes. This lovely mild white fish is topped with sweet oranges and refreshed by aromatic herbs & ginger. Perfectly juicy and flaky, this cod fish is a perfect light and quick dinner for the weekday cook.
Cooking fish has become one of my go-to weeknight dinners – quick, easy, and properly tasty after a long day. Funny thing is, I once swore off fish altogether. A few years back, my little one managed to get a bone lodged in his throat (cue mild parental panic). In that moment, I dramatically declared, “Never again – no fish with bones in this house!”
Well, that promise lasted all of… a few weeks. Because honestly, how can you resist the pull of fresh seafood?
Take cod, for example. Or as they call it in Spain, bacalao fresco. It’s one of those versatile white fish – mild in flavor, beautifully flaky, and rich without being heavy. There are two main types, Atlantic and Pacific, and either one works a treat if you can get it fresh. Perfect for a simple midweek dish that feels just a bit special without the faff.
Do not miss my recipe for the easy Mediterranean Bluefish Recipe (Grilled) or the epic Mediterranean Anchovy Pizza.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cod fillets – cod fillets are the main player here. You can choose larger or smaller fillets depending on availability at the store. Here, cod fillets are sold in larger chucks. I do not usually make them smaller, as I want to preserve the gentle flesh from falling apart.
- Olive oil, extra virgin – add extra flavor to the fish.
- Orange juice – freshly squeezed orange juice adds needed acids to the fish, but also creates that sweet and soft aroma afterward (compared to for example lemon juice).
- Fresh ginger, grated – finely grated fresh ginger, mixed with the herbs below gives the fish the needed zest at the end.
- Oregano – dried or fresh, either way, works fine. Personally, I prefer dried.
- Mint – dried or fresh, either way, works fine. Personally, I prefer dried.
- Cumin Powder – dried fine cumin powder is preferred here.
- Salt – to taste as always.
How to cook Cod fish?
Cod can be cooked in lots of ways – baked in the oven (as in this recipe), air-fried in a wide-basket fryer, grilled, or even pan-fried. The cooking time will vary depending on the method you choose, so go with what suits you best.
BEST Tips
- Cover, then uncover. Wrap the fillets with foil for the first half (or a bit more) of the baking time. Remove the foil towards the end so the top can crisp up beautifully while the inside stays moist and tender.
- Use ventilation, if available. If your oven has a fan setting, switch it on at the end. The circulating hot air works a bit like an air fryer—crisping the outside while keeping the fish juicy within.
- Don’t overcook. Cod is delicate and dries out quickly. If you’re unsure, check regularly. A good rule of thumb: once the flesh easily separates from the skin with a fork, it’s ready to come out.
- If you’re using an air fryer instead, coat the fish generously with herbs and seasoning, and keep an eye on it – cooking times can vary slightly between models. For full instructions, see the recipe card below.
Baked Cod Fish with Oranges and Ginger
Equipment
- Baking dish
- alluminium foil
Ingredients
- 4 fillets cod fillets, patted dry
- 1 large chunk of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 4 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
- Juice of one orange, large
- 1 tsp oregano, dried/fresh
- 1 tsp mint, dried/fresh
- 1 tsp cumin powder, dried
- pinch of salt, for seasoning
- orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- First, preheat oven to 360F/180C to be ready.
- Then, pat cod fillets dry, then place into a baking dish while leaving space in between. Season with a pinch of salt. Then shred ginger finely after peeling the skin off.
- Next, mix the orange juice, shredded ginger, olive oil, mint, oregano and cumin in a small bowl. Stir well until combined. Then generously brush cod fillets with the mixture on each side.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes on 360F/180C. Then remove aluminum foil and let cod cook for additional 5-10 minutes (until slightly crispy on top).
- Finally, garnish with orange slices if desired. Can be cooked on ventilation or in the air fryer as well.
Notes
Nutrition
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