Breaded Orange Roughy Recipe. A Savory and Easy Recipe

It is a delicious orange roughy recipe that is savory and very easy to prepare.

A quick recipe that will allow you to have weeknight dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

When cooked correctly, the orange roughy recipe has a very delicate, sweet, mild flavor. It will flake when cooking; thus, do not feel disconcerted if this happens.

In this Article

What is Panko made out of?

Panko is a Japanese bread crumb that is light, dryer, and flakier in consistency and is made from white bread without the crust. Consequently, it absorbs less grease when cooked than its regular breadcrumbs.

One of my favorite parts of using panko is that it will not flake away when turned to cook while frying. The panko sticks more to the fish or meat than your bread crumbs.

I also enjoy mozzarella cheese; nice and gooey. However, any Gruyere of Emmenthal cheese will be fine also.

Can I substitute panko for breadcrumbs?

Although the texture of the two is not the same, panko and Italian breadcrumbs can be used interchangeably in recipes.

What can I substitute panko with?

Several breads can be used as a substitution, such as toasted shredded bread, crackers crumbs, melba toasts, matzo balls, and crushed tortilla chips. Even dry crushed stuffing mix or crushed pretzels.

And last but not least, crushed cornflakes or potato chips.

What is orange roughy?

Also known as red roughy, slimehead, and deep-sea perch, it is a relatively large fish. It is found in the United States Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans. Rich in texture and flavor.

It is a versatile fish as well when it comes to cooking. Fry it with this recipe—excellent baked or with a light tomato sauce in a pasta dish.

What is the Difference between Orange Roughy and Cod?

Both Orange Roughy and Cod are popular white fish choices, each offering unique attributes for various culinary applications. 

As described earlier, Orange Roughy is a relatively large fish with a rich, mild flavor. It is versatile and can be cooked in several ways. 

Conversely, cod is a cold-water fish known for its firm, white flesh and mild flavor. Cod is versatile and can be baked, broiled, seared, or used in soups and stews. When it comes to nutritional profiles, both are excellent sources of protein. 

However, Cod tends to be lower in fat, while Orange Roughy is a bit higher. Ultimately, the choice between the two often comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of the recipe.

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Step by Step instructions on how to make this fantastic fish

• In one dish, place the flour with salt and black pepper. Mix the panko, pre-grated parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs in a second shallow dish. Add any fresh or dried herbs that are in hand. In a third dish, beat the eggs with a tablespoon of water.
• Dry the fish filets with paper towels and coat fish with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip it in the egg mixture, place it in the panko-bread crumbs mixture, and cover well.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. When it’s hot, place fish in and cook the fish for 5 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for another 2 minutes. When the pan is hot, the fish will absorb less oil.
• Once the fish is golden brown and done, remove it from the skillet and place it on a cooling rack.
• Avoid overcrowding the skillet. Serve the dish piping hot.

Substitutes and additions

While this recipe is versatile, you may want to experiment with other ingredients based on your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some possible substitutions and additions:

• Fish Fillets: If orange roughy is unavailable, try using halibut, haddock, or flounder fillets as alternatives. 
• Parmesan Cheese: You could substitute the parmesan with pecorino romano or asiago cheese for a different flavor. For a dairy-free option, you could use a vegan cheese substitute.
• Panko and Bread Crumbs: For a gluten-free version of this dish, substitute the panko and bread crumb mixture with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers.
• Eggs: If you are following a vegan diet, you can replace the eggs with a flaxseed or chia seed mixture. Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with three tablespoons of water for each egg.
• All-Purpose Flour: For a healthier option, replace the all-purpose flour with whole wheat or chickpea flour.
• Olive Oil: If you prefer a different oil type, canola or coconut oil could be used instead of olive oil.

In terms of adding fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro into the panko mixture to add more flavor. Also, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest can brighten the whole dish.

Storage

Leftover breaded orange roughy should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, lasting 2-3 days.

It’s best to reheat in the oven or toaster oven to ensure the breading retains its crunch.

As for freezing, yes, you can freeze breaded orange roughy. Once the fish has cooled completely, place the leftovers in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible.

The breaded orange roughy can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake the frozen fish in the oven without thawing to maintain the crispiness of the breading.

Be aware that the texture might be slightly different after freezing, but the taste should remain delicious.

Frequently Asked Question

What to enjoy with Orange Roughy:

Butter Lettuce with Shallots Vinaigrette: Simple and super healthy is the perfect side dish for a light dinner.

Roasted Bell Pepper with Italian Farro Salad: Staying with the Italian recipe theme, this super healthy side dish is very enjoyable. A bit more of comfort food.

Tomato, Arugula Salad: My favorite and rounds up a fantastic dinner.

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Originally published on September 2, 2010.