This Parmesan Crusted Baked Walleye is the absolute BEST way to cook up this tasty freshwater fish! This recipe features parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and various spices coated around fresh walleye fillets. It's super easy and quick to bake in the oven!
Growing up, I was an avid fisherman (Dan here). We had a family cabin in northern Wisconsin, where we spend the days fishing and the nights around the bonfire pit. My favorite fish to catch and eat up there was anything in the perch family - either perch or walleye!
In North America, walleye is widely regarded as a favorite fish to catch and eat. That's because they're fun to catch and also taste great. Walleye meat is described as very tender, mild flavored, and not very "fishy".
There's nothing more satisfying than catching a walleye and then cooking it to perfection to enjoy and eat! Whether you're catching your own walleye or getting them from the grocery store, this baked walleye recipe will turn that fillet into a fine cooked meal!
Looking for other fish meals to try? Check these out: Creamy Mediterranean Salmon, Ensenada Fish Tacos, and Honey Mustard Fried Walleye.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.
Walleye Fillets: Walleye is a delicious white fish that's known for it's distinct flavor. It really doesn't have much of a fishy flavor at all!
Substitutions: Other white fish can be used in place of walleye. For example, cod, halibut, and mahi mahi are all fish that would taste great with this recipe.
Panko Breadcrumbs: In order to give the fish fillet a crispy outside, we coat it with panko breadcrumbs. They're convenient because they come in a box at the grocery store and are super crunchy!
Substitutions: You can use croutons as a substitute but you'll have to grind them up so they're small enough to evenly coat the fish.
Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese makes a great coating for fish because it's a very dry cheese. This means it won't just melt away when it's baked. Plus, it adds some awesome flavor!
Substitutions: Parmesan cheese can be omitted, but if you choose to do this then double the amount of panko breadcrumbs.
Egg: In order to get the breadcrumbs to stick to the outside of the fish we need a wash. That's where egg comes in!
Substitutions: Mayo can be used as a substitute for eggs if you prefer parmesan crusted fish with mayo.
Spices: The spices we use for this recipe are onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
Substitutions: Some steak seasonings contain most of the spices we use and would make a good substitute.
How to Make this - Step by Step
Step one: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking tray with foil and spray with non-stick cooking oil or butter. If your fish is frozen, thaw it completely.
Step two: Crack an egg onto a shallow bowl and whisk it. Then, grate parmesan cheese into a separate bowl with remaining dry ingredients and stir.
Step three: Cut the skin off your walleye fillet's if needed. Use a filet knife, or the sharpest non serrated knife you have! Then, pat the fillets with a paper towel on both sides so that they're dry.
Step four: Dip one fillet into the egg to completely coat it with egg. Then, dip it into the bowl with the dry ingredients to coat it with the dry ingredients. Next, place the fillet on the baking sheet. Repeat with other fillet. Then, sprinkle any remaining dry ingredients on top of the fish.
Step five: Bake in oven for 15 minutes. The fish should be white and flakey on the inside and golden brown on the outside when it's done. Remove from oven, top with lemon juice, and enjoy!
Watch How to Make This - Step by Step
Joy Tip!
Cutting the skin off of fish is easier the sharper the knife you have. Also, it is best with a non serrated knife. If you use a serrated knife it's tough to slice back and forth because of how slippery the fish is. If you need a fillet knife you can get one on Amazon here!
Facts and Common Questions
Do you have to remove the skin on Walleye before cooking?
You do not have the remove the skin on walleye before cooking. However, this oven baked walleye recipe specifically breads the walleye fillet on both sides so it's crispy all the way around. If you prefer to leave the skin on you can just add breading to the flesh side of the fish!
Why do you pat fish dry before cooking?
Patting fish filets dry before cooking will help keep the breading from getting soggy. If the fish is too wet on the outside, the breading that coats the fish will absorb that water and become soggy.
How do you know when walleye is cooked?
Walleye should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, according to the FDA at the time of this post. You can tell it's done when the skin is white and flakey when you cut into it.
Want to Save it for Later? Here’s how!
Fridge: This oven-baked parmesan walleye can be saved in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, microwave for 1.5 minutes. To reheat in the oven, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for five minutes.
Freezer: This fish can be frozen after it's been cooked. To reheat, thaw overnight and then use one of the reheating methods listed above.
Fun Fact
Walleye are a freshwater fish and are one of the most popular fish to catch for fisherman. In the wild, walleye can live for up to 20 years and can reach lengths of up to 30 inches! Walleyes are carnivores and eat smaller fish, frogs, leaches, and more! (source)
More Joyful Recipes!
Try these great side dishes to go along with this baked walleye panko recipe!
Crispy Parboiled Roasted Potatoes
Did you try this and love it? Leave us a review, we would love to hear from you!
Recipe
Parmesan Crusted Baked Walleye
Ingredients
- 1 lb walleye (2 fillets)
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan finely grated
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking tray with foil and spray with non-stick cooking oil or butter. If your fish is frozen, thaw it completely.
- Crack an egg onto a shallow bowl and whisk it. Then, grate parmesan cheese into a separate bowl with remaining dry ingredients and stir.
- Cut the skin off your walleye fillet's if needed. Then, pat the fillets with a paper towel on both sides so that they're dry.
- Dip one fillet into the egg to completely coat it with egg. Then, dip it into the bowl with the dry ingredients to coat it with the dry ingredients. Next, place the fillet on the baking sheet. Repeat with other fillet. Then, sprinkle any remaining dry ingredients on top of the fish.
- Bake in oven for 15 minutes. The fish should be white and flakey on the inside and golden brown on the outside when it's done. Remove from oven, top with lemon juice, and enjoy!
levi christman says
amazing
Daniel Kinney says
Thank you! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed it.
Amber says
This is so tasty and so easy to make! Whole family loved it!
Susan says
This fish is so good! Quick and easy dinner that the whole family loved after ice fishing.
Michelle says
This was so easy and very tasty! Family loved it! Thank you for this delicious recipe.
Ruth Wilm says
The Walleye was very good. I liked the breading. It is a recipe that I would make again without having to look at the recipe.
Mika says
Thanks for trying it out, glad you liked it!
Josie says
Turns out perfect every time! We like a little more spice, so we also add Cajun Two Step seasoning!
Daniel Kinney says
Glad to hear, thanks so much! That's a great idea to add Cajun seasoning, we love that flavor!
Albert Morr says
Great recipe, walleye is one of our favorite fish. This very easy recipe was a perfect compliment to that style of fish great job!
Mika Kinney says
Thanks so much for the kind words. We're glad you enjoyed this recipe!