Quick Summary: Cod fillets coated in crushed almonds, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and dill, baked at 400°F until golden. A low carb fish dinner that works with any white fish and comes together in about 25 minutes. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 7 min | Serves: 4
Jump to: RECIPE | Cod Substitutions | Which Diets Work with This Recipe? | Increasing Flavor of White Fish | FAQ
Fish and seafood are wonderful proteins for low-carb, keto, slow-carb, and Mediterranean lifestyles. The problem is many people don’t like fish or find it too bland when made without breading. Enter this quick and easy almond-crusted cod with Dijon mustard. No more bland!
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What Kind of Fish Can Be Substituted for Cod?
This recipe is one of the low-carb fish dinners that highlight cod, but any white fish could be used. I prefer the thicker filets like halibut and cod, but we’ve tried it with sunfish and crappies and it works just fine.
I do live in the state of 10,000 lakes after all. Crappies (aka croppies) are just a bit more abundant here than cod and halibut!
Which Diets Work with Almond-Crusted Cod?
This recipe fits well into slow carb, low carb, keto, and Pesco Mediterranean lifestyles. The almonds provide healthy fat and crunch without any grain-based breading, and cod is a lean, clean protein that works across all of these approaches.
Fish can be a little light on fat for strict keto, but the almond crust and olive oil bring it closer to the fat ratio keto requires.
I eat a Pesco Mediterranean style of diet most of the time now, which is essentially a Mediterranean diet with fish and seafood as the primary protein instead of red meat.
If you’re curious about how slow carb, low carb, and keto differ from each other, this low-carb vs slow-carb vs carb-cycling article breaks down the nuances.
Increasing the Flavor of White Fish
White fish like cod, flounder, and tilapia are mild by nature, which is why pairing them with a bold crust, sauce, or spice rub makes such a difference. The almond and Dijon coating in this recipe is one approach. A nut crust adds texture and richness that plain baked fish lacks, and the mustard brings tang that cuts through the mildness.
Other techniques that work well with white fish include seasoned cornmeal coatings, Mexican-style spice rubs, and fruit-based sauces. Here are several more white fish recipes that solve the blandness problem in different ways:
- A low-carb breading recipe.
- Mexican Fish Veracruz
- Spicy Seared Tuna Dinner
- Catfish Cakes with 2 Dipping Sauces
- Mexican Fish Stew
- Pan-fried fish with Plum Sauce (Pesco Mediterranean only)
- Brazilian “Shrimp in Pumpkin” dish (Camarão na Moranga)
- Variations on Keto or low-carb breading mixes to enhance seafood
For enhancing fish (or vegetables), fresh pre-made spice blends can offer a whole world of alternatives. Old Bay seasoning is also a well-known spice blend for fish and seafood.
For 40+ more tested recipes, from quick weeknight fish dinners to holiday seafood entertaining, browse the full fish and seafood recipe collection.
FAQ
Yes. Almonds, cod, Dijon mustard, lemon, and dill are all fully slow carb compliant. There’s no breading beyond the crushed almonds, so this works for slow carb, low carb, and keto.
Yes. Pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and pistachios all work as a fish crust. Pistachios give the most visual appeal. The technique is the same: crush in a food processor, press onto the mustard-coated fish, and bake.
The mustard serves two purposes. It acts as a glue that holds the almond crust onto the fish, and it adds a tangy flavor that complements the nuts. You can substitute whole grain mustard for a slightly different texture.
Yes. Thaw completely and pat very dry before coating. Excess moisture prevents the almond crust from sticking and crisping properly.
Asparagus, green beans, sautéed spinach, or a simple green salad. For low carb, skip the starch entirely or serve with cauliflower rice. The dish is light enough that a green vegetable is all you need.
Pull it from the oven when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, or when a digital thermometer reads 120°F. The fish continues cooking after you remove it from the oven.
Low Carb Almond Crusted Cod
Equipment
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 24 ounces cod filets about 4 filets (can be other white fish)
- 1 medium lemon zested and juiced
- ½ cup crushed almonds can use a food processor or blender to crush
- 1 tablespoon dill either fresh or from tube
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon mild to med. chili spice optional
- 4 teaspoon Dijon mustard more if you like mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with either parchment paper laid on top or spray with cooking spray.
- Place cod filets on paper towels to drain of water and pat dry. Place on baking sheet.24 ounces cod filets
- In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, crushed almonds, dill, oil, salt and pepper and chili spice if using.1 medium lemon, 1/2 cup crushed almonds, 1 tablespoon dill, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt & pepper, 1 teaspoon mild to med. chili spice
- Spread each cod filet with a tsp or so of Dijon mustard, smoothing it over the entire top of the filet. Divide the almond mixture among the 4 filets, pressing it evenly into the mustard with your hands.Bake the fish until opaque at the thickest part, about 7 minutes for most cod filets (less time for thin filets).Serve with a green vegetable and lemon slices for a great low carb or keto fish dinner.4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
We used this crust with trout fillets and it was amazing!
So glad to hear this Karen! I love it, but also appreciate how much easier it was than I first thought! Thank you for commenting.