Quick & Easy Oven Baked Flounder Recipe
Looking for an easy way to cook flounder? This oven baked flounder recipe is ready in about 20 minutes with tender, flaky fish and a crispy seasoned breadcrumb topping.
Flounder is one of my favorite fish to bake because the fillets are thin and cook quickly. Pop them in a 400°F oven for about 15 minutes, add a squeeze of fresh lemon, and dinner is done.
I am always looking for quick, delicious, and affordable dinner ideas that the entire family will actually eat. This easy baked flounder definitely fits the bill!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Flounder
Flounder is mild, cooks quickly, and doesn’t need a ton of ingredients to taste good. The seasoned breadcrumb topping adds a little crunch without having to fry the fish.
Even better, the whole recipe takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
I bought this bag of Flounder fillets at the store this week for a few reasons.
- #1 We are trying to eat healthier
- #2 It was affordable
- #3 I know I can thaw it and cook it quickly
- #4 Everybody at my house eats fish
The kids will eat it pan seared but they want the crispiness of the breading. I just really didn’t want to fry it.
How to Bake Flounder in the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Arrange the flounder fillets in a single layer. Press seasoned breadcrumbs onto the top of each fillet, add a little lemon zest if you’d like, and lightly drizzle the fish with olive oil.
Bake until the flounder is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
How Long to Bake Flounder at 400°F
Flounder fillets are usually thin, so they cook quickly. At 400°F, plan on approximately 15 minutes for most fillets.
Very thin fillets may be ready sooner, while thicker pieces can need a few extra minutes. Start checking your fish early so it doesn’t overcook.
The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when it’s done. For food safety, fish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Can I Make Baked Flounder Gluten Free?
Absolutely! This is actually how I originally made the recipe for my family.
Instead of traditional seasoned breadcrumbs, finely crush Rice Chex and season the crumbs with garlic salt. You still get that crispy topping without regular breadcrumbs.
What to Serve With Baked Flounder
Keep dinner simple with a salad, roasted or steamed vegetables, rice, or potatoes. Around here, homemade French fries are always a popular choice too.
Don’t forget the fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish right before serving!
Tips for the Best Baked Flounder
Because flounder is a thin, delicate fish, the biggest trick is simply not overcooking it. Check thinner fillets a little early and remove them once they’re opaque and flaky.
If you’re using frozen flounder, thaw it first and pat the fillets dry before adding the breadcrumb topping. Removing excess moisture helps the topping stay crisp instead of getting soggy.
Quick & Easy Oven Baked Flounder
Ingredients
- 6-8 flounder fillets
- 1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs Use Rice Chex for Gluten Free
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- Lemon zest optional
- salt & pepper
- 2 lemons – quartered for serving
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F and place the oven rack a little higher than center.
- Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil in a 13×9 pan. Place the flounder fillets in the pan.
- Top each fillet with seasoned bread crumbs patting them into the top of each fillet. Lightly drizzle the fillets with the remaining olive oil.
- Bake in the oven for approximately 15-18 minutes.
Gluten Free
- If you use the rice chex for bread crumbs, crush them finely in the food processor. Add about 1 tsp of garlic salt for each cup of crumbs. Make the best seasoned bread crumbs around!