This delicious Parmesan Crusted Fish is pan fried, topped with a crust of mayo and Parmesan, and then browned under the broiler. See tips for the type of mild white fish that’s suitable for this amazing fish recipe with only 1 carb per serving!

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Square image for Parmesan Crusted Fish shown on plate with rice.

We should all be eating more fish, and easy recipes for cooking fish are great to have in the dinner rotation. This Parmesan Crusted Fish uses a flavorful fish rub before the fish is pan-fried, and then it’s brushed with mayo, sprinkled with Parmesan, and finished under the broiler for a delicious result.

I first made this with Tilapia, but now I’d use another type of firm white fish fillets to make this recipe. But no matter what fish you use, I hope you’ll try this method of cooking fish that’s so easy and delicious; it just might become one of your favorites!

What ingredients do you need?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

What fish is suitable for this Parmesan Crusted Fish recipe?

What kind of fish should you use when a recipe calls for “white fish?” White fish refers to mild-flavored quick cooking fillets of fish such as tilapia, cod, bass, grouper, haddock, catfish, and snapper. You can also use thin pieces of halibut, Mahi Mahi, or Barramundi for this recipe.

Can you make the Parmesan Crusted Fish without Szeged Fish Rub?

It’s probably obvious I’m a huge fan of Szeged Fish Rub (affiliate link). This is a product I use literally every time I cook fish. But if you don’t want to buy it, any spices or dried herbs that are good on fish will work fine for the recipe.

Want more low-carb fish dinners?

If you’re following my blog at all, it’s probably obvious that I love fish. Use 70 Low-Carb and Keto Fish Dinners for more tasty ideas for cooking fish.

Process shots of how to make Low-Carb White Fish with Parmesan Crust

How to make Parmesan Crusted Fish:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

  1. I buy frozen fish from Costco and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Let the fish come to room temperature before you cook it.
  2. I’m a big fan of Szeged Fish Rub (affiliate link), which I like so much I buy it in six-packs from Amazon.com and give it to my friends, but you can use any brand of fish rub to add flavor.
  3. Heat the oil and cook the fish only about 3-4 minutes per side; it will cook a little more under the broiler.
  4. Use a large turner to turn the fish carefully to cook the second side.
  5. Lay the fish pieces on a baking sheet and spread a tiny amount of mayo over each piece of fish, just enough to keep the Parmesan sticking to the fish. Sprinkle Parmesan over each piece of fish.
  6. Then put the fish under a pre-heated broiler and broil until the cheese is melted and browned, about 2-4 minutes more. Serve hot.

Cropped image of Parmesan Crusted Fish shown on serving plate with rice.

Make it a Low-Carb Meal:

Serve Parmesan Crusted Fish with something like Cauliflower Rice with Basil, Parmesan, and Pine Nuts, Broccoli Gratin, Cauliflower Rice with Garlic and Green Onion, Easy Grilled Vegetables, or Caesar Salad with Kale, Romaine, and Shaved Parmesan for a low-carb meal.

More Tasty Fish Dinners:

White Fish with Parmesan Crust on plate with rice and kale
Yield: 4 servings

Parmesan Crusted Fish

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes

This low-carb Parmesan Crusted Fish features a crust of mayo and Parmesan that’s browned under the broiler, and this is a delicious way to cook any kind of mild white fish.

Ingredients

  • 4 white fish filets (see notes)
  • 1 T Szeged Fish Rub, (see notes)
  • 1 T olive oil, or just enough to keep fish from sticking
  • salt/pepper to taste
  • 4 T mayo (see notes)
  • 6 T grated Parmesan (see notes)

Instructions

  1. Thaw frozen fish in the fridge overnight and let it come to room temperature before starting the recipe.
  2. Preheat broiler.
  3. Season fish on both sides with salt, pepper, and Szeged Fish Rub (affiliate link),
  4. Heat heavy frying pan, add olive oil, then saute fish until lightly browned on both sides and not quite cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  5. Turn carefully and do not overcook, since it will be cooking a little more under the broiler.
  6. Take fish out of frying pan and put in ovenproof dish which will fit under your broiler.
  7. Spread mayo on the top of each piece of fish and top with Parmesan cheese. You want the top of the fish to be well covered with cheese.
  8. Broil until cheese is browned and melted, about 4 minutes but watch it carefully as broiler can differ in hotness.
  9. Serve hot, with lemon slices if desired.

Notes

If you don't have Szeged Fish Rub (affiliate link), just use any brand of fish rub that you like.

We used about 1 T mayo per piece of fish; use more or less mayo to taste.

We used about 1 1/2 T grated Parmesan per piece of fish, other hard grating cheese like Mizithra, Romano, or Asiago cheese could also be used.

Recipe created by Kalyn.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 389Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 188mgSodium: 574mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 52g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

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Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating (under the PRINT button in the recipe) or share a photo of your results on Instagram! THANKS!

White Fish with Parmesan Crust on plate with rice and kale

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
This Parmesan Crusted Fish Fish would be a great choice for low-carb or Keto diets; choose a low-carb side dish. It could work for the original South Beach Diet, and as long as you use a moderate amount of mayonnaise and Parmesan, this recipe would be fine for all phases of the diet.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Easy to Cook to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This fish recipe that’s topped with mayo and parmesan was first posted in 2006! It was last updated with more information in 2024.

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