Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs and Italian Seasoning

This baked halibut with bread crumbs recipe is easy to make but so flavorful. It’s a great option for people who aren’t sure they like fish – I’ve converted many self-proclaimed fish haters to like halibut with this recipe! 

I really love fish, but I used to have this thing where I didn’t like to put seasoning on fish. I like the real taste of good quality, wild fish with just a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. It feels like polluting the fish to add too much seasoning, or – heaven forbid – fry it. But lately, I like fish recipes that go beyond just salt and pepper and lemon, like the baked halibut with bread crumbs recipe I’m sharing today. Now I even like fried fish – fish and chips is just a delicious combo!

I got this recipe from my mom years ago and tried it on some halibut I got at the store one night for dinner. I wasn’t 100% sure how it would turn out since I didn’t have much experience breading and baking fish, but I am so glad I tried it. And I feel a bit silly even admitting that since breading and baking fish is just about the easiest way to prepare it!!!

This recipe works well on any white fish, but I especially love the texture and mild flavor of halibut.

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs

Halibut fishing in Alaska

I’ve always been partial to halibut since we grew up with a freezer stocked with it. For a while, my dad went to Alaska every year to fish and as each of us kids turned 21, we got to go with him. (I have 5 older brothers so there was an Alaska trip every few years!). I would give anything to go back to that week and have that time with my dad. Now especially as I live across the country from him and it’s so hard being so far from home, I think back to how special that trip was, just the two of us. And, of course, I got to help stock the freezer with halibut (and salmon!).

My dad was so proud that I caught the biggest halibut on our charter boat! (Sorry for the low res-photos…this was long before digital cameras, so this is a photo of a photo!)

And to this day, nearly 15 years after that trip, I still think of those good memories with my dad. I also think about growing up and watching my mom prepare fish for dinner. It’s amazing how food can trigger so many memories, and I love creating new memories with loved ones over a good meal. And this is definitely a good meal.

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe

You don’t need too many ingredients, and honestly, if you have a decently stocked kitchen, most of these ingredients are already in your pantry. You just need to get the halibut. Halibut is in peak season around August, but many stores will have a frozen option to make it year-round. I recommend using halibut for this recipe because it doesn’t have a strong fishy taste. If anything it’s a little sweet. This is why using the flavored bread mixture adds the perfect element to the halibut without having the fish taste overpower the Italian seasoning. But, it would work with any white fish if you can’t find halibut!

• 2 halibut filets, skin removed
• 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs (buy gluten-free if necessary)
• 1/4 t dried oregano
• 1/4 t dried basil
• Scant 1/4 t garlic powder
• 1 T fresh parsley (or 1 t dried)
• 1/8 t salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 T melted butter or Earth Balance
• Olive oil for the pan

Ingredients

Halibut is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and has a large variety of nutrients including many micronutrients like selenium, niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, and B12. It’s also a pretty awesome form of protein and it tastes delicious. (While we’re discussing fish, always opt for wild-caught fish for better flavors since they have a more varied diet and their meat is leaner and less fatty.)

Bread crumbs probably aren’t the most nutrient-rich ingredient in this recipe, but they sure add that extra flavored texture, don’t they? If you are gluten-free, try buying a box version or make your own! There are some great and super easy recipes out there.

Oregano has some great nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Plus it adds that delicious Italian flavor!

Basil also packs a punch. It’s a rich source of vitamin K, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Parsley is a high source of vitamin A and vitamin K. It’s also rich in antioxidants, supports bone health, and contains nutrients to help protect your eyes.

Salt is a great source of sodium and depending on which type of salt you use in your recipes (Himalayan, Celtic, sea, or table salt), you might be getting in some calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron, too.

Butter can be a tricky one on the nutrition scale. It’s definitely flavorful, which is why I love using it in this recipe. Butter contains a great source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is said to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help support immune function. If you are dairy-free (or just avoiding butter), Earth Balance is a great alternative.

Olive Oil is the king of oils for me. It’s rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it just tastes amazing!

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Combine the bread crumbs, oregano, basil, garlic powder, parsley, salt & pepper into a small or medium-sized bowl.

Step 3

Add the melted butter into the dry ingredients bowl and mix well. It will kind of look like wet sand.

Step 4

Coat the halibut with the bread crumb mixture, patting it onto the fish to make it stick.

Step 5

Put the halibut in a greased baking dish and drizzle a little olive oil on top.

Step 6

Bake for 20-30 minutes until it flakes in the middle. Try not to overcook it (it’s really easy to do). You want it just flaky, not rubbery!

Step 7

Serve on a plate and enjoy!

Let me know what you think of the recipe in the comments below!

 

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Do you remember when I first shared this recipe back in 2012? If so, thanks for being such a long-time reader! Here’s a photo from way back then. The new ones are definitely improved, ha!

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