Name: Baked Flounder
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 4 pc Flounder Fillets; 1 tbsp Unsalted butter; 1 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Sea Salt; 0.5 tsp Black Pepper

Delicate white fish often falls apart the moment you try to flip it in a hot skillet. Baking flounder on a sheet pan solves this entirely, allowing the fillets to cook gently and evenly without ever needing a spatula until it is time to serve. The result is a foolproof, buttery texture with flakes that practically melt in your mouth.

Flounder is exceptionally mild and sweet, making it a perfect alternative if you find halibut or cod too heavy or overly fishy. Because the fillets are thin, they require only a light brush of olive oil, melted butter, and a few simple spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder. Heavy sauces easily overpower this cut, so a minimalist approach lets the natural flavor shine.

Keep a close eye on the oven around the 10-minute mark. Thin fillets cook rapidly, and pulling them at an internal temperature of 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit ensures they remain moist. A quick check with a meat thermometer guarantees the fish stays tender and never dries out.

Step By Step

Instructions × 4

Prep

Preheat and Prepare Fillets

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) to ensure a hot environment that cooks the thin fish quickly. Pat the flounder fillets completely dry with paper towels to remove excess surface moisture, which prevents steaming and helps the seasonings stick. Arrange them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving ample space between each piece for proper air circulation.

4 pc Flounder FilletsRimmed Baking SheetPaper Towels

Apply the Butter Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice until well combined. Use a pastry brush to coat both sides of each fillet generously with this mixture. The fat not only adds a rich, buttery flavor to the mild white fish but also locks in moisture during the high heat baking process.

1 tbsp Unsalted butter1 tbsp Olive Oil1 tbsp lemon juiceSmall BowlPastry Brush

Mix and Apply Spices

Stir together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper in a separate small bowl to guarantee an even flavor distribution. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture liberally over both sides of the buttered fillets. Pre-mixing prevents clumps of a single strong spice from overpowering the delicate taste of the flounder.

1 tsp Smoked Paprika1 tsp Garlic Powder1 tsp Sea Salt1/2 tsp Black PepperSmall Bowl

Cook

Bake the Flounder

Transfer the baking sheet to the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Start checking the thickest part of the fish at the 10-minute mark with a meat thermometer, aiming for an internal temperature of 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid drying it out. The fish is ready when it turns opaque white and flakes apart easily with a fork.

Meat ThermometerFish Spatula

Baked Flounder

Instructions × 4

Preheat and Prepare Fillets

Apply the Butter Glaze

Mix and Apply Spices

Bake the Flounder

Stay Updated