Baked Haddock with Seafood Stuffing

I grew up eating this classic Baked Haddock with Seafood Stuffing and it still remains one of my all-time favorite dishes. Between the perfectly flaky fish and buttery seafood stuffing, it's hard not to love. Served with grilled vegetables during warmer months and roasted root vegetables during cool months, this meal is one you will put on repeat.

I was recently back on the East Coast visiting my family and one of my favorite meals is classically baked haddock. Normally this dish is packed with butter, literally dripping in butter, and depending on where you go there may be just as much stuffing as fish. And while I don’t complain about this when I am out, at home I like to make a healthier version that celebrates the fish and uses just enough butter and stuffing to make it taste delicious without going overboard.

The other change I make is to the stuffing. While traditionally the stuffing is made with Ritz crackers, I like to use Panko breadcrumbs since they are lower in calories but provide just as much crunch. If you can't imagine making the dish without crackers, you can always substitute crushed crackers for the breadcrumbs. The recipe works great both ways.

Then to create a simple seafood stuffing, the breadcrumbs are combined with fresh or imitation crab, butter, lemon, and some simple spices. It is delicious and for someone who grew up eating a super buttery version of this stuffing, I actually like this version even better since it stays crispy and you can taste the seafood and spices. 

What temperature do you bake haddock at?

There are actually a few different ways to bake haddock in the oven and all three work great. Usually, I will choose the temperature and time that works best with the other dishes I am preparing. So if I am roasting vegetables at 425 degrees, I will also cook my fish at that temperature. If I am only cooking the haddock, I would opt to broil it since it is the fastest cooking method. Each of these temperatures and cook times will result in a flaky, moist fish. Just remember it can vary slightly depending on the thickness of the fish and thickness of the stuffing on top.

• Broiling: Broiling is one of my favorite ways to cook haddock since it gets slightly browned and crispy on top.  Haddock usually takes between 5-7 minutes when it is broiled.
• 400 degrees: If you bake your haddock at 400 degrees, it will take 12-15 minutes to cook depending on the thickness.
• 425 degrees: If you bump the temperature up to 425 degrees, the haddock will take between 9-12 minutes depending on the thickness,

How do I know the haddock is done?

The best way to know if the haddock is cooked is to test it with a fork in the thickest part of the filet. It should be opaque with no translucency and the fish should flake off easily with a fork. Since filets can vary greatly in thickness, you always want to check the haddock early to prevent it from drying out and overcooking.

Can  I cook haddock on the grill during warmer months?

When it's warm outside, this dish is still a great one to prepare and can easily be adapted to the grill. Simply prepare the fish and place it on a piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. You can also just double up regular foil. Then place it directly on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. This works with the seafood stuffing and is also a great way to cook almost any fish on the grill. The foil ensures you don't have to worry about the fish sticking. And as long as the grill is preheated, there is no need to flip the fish.

Can I make this with cod or another fish?

Absolutely! Haddock can be difficult to find in some areas of the country and also can be very expensive. This recipe will work with almost any kind of fish, although I recommend using cod since it is similar in taste and texture to haddock. If you are using frozen cod, make sure it is fully defrosted before preparing it and blot off any excess water with paper towels.

How can I make a gluten-free stuffing?

If you want to make a gluten-free seafood stuffing for the baked haddock, you can use either gluten-free breadcrumbs or gluten-free crackers.  Most grocery stores sell gluten free options alongside the normal breadcrumbs and if not, you can purchase them online. Either regular or Panko breadcrumbs will work.