Haddock Goujons With Parmesan Crust (Printer-friendly)

Golden Parmesan-crusted haddock strips with vibrant pea pesto. Ready in 40 minutes for a sophisticated meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 1 lb 2 oz skinless haddock fillets, cut into finger-sized strips

→ Coating

02 - 2.1 oz all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten
04 - 2.8 oz panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1.8 oz finely grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, optional

→ Pea Pesto

09 - 7 oz frozen peas
10 - 1.1 oz fresh basil leaves
11 - 0.9 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
12 - 1 small garlic clove
13 - 1.1 oz pine nuts or toasted sunflower seeds for nut-free option
14 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
15 - juice of 1/2 lemon
16 - salt and pepper to taste

→ For Serving

17 - lemon wedges
18 - mixed salad leaves, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F with a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan, pepper, salt, and smoked paprika.
02 - Coat each haddock strip first in flour, then dip in beaten egg, and finally roll in the Parmesan-panko mixture. Arrange coated strips on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Lightly spray or drizzle the goujons with olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp.
04 - Blanch frozen peas in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and refresh under cold water. Place peas, basil, Parmesan, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until mostly smooth with slight texture remaining. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Transfer hot goujons to serving plates with a generous spoonful of pea pesto, lemon wedges, and salad leaves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Parmesan crust gets so golden and crisp in the oven, no deep frying needed.
  • Pea pesto is bright, creamy, and tastes like spring even in the middle of winter.
  • It feels grown up but kids devour it just as happily as adults.
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, perfect for a weeknight.
02 -
  • Do not skip the cold water rinse after blanching the peas, it stops them cooking further and keeps that vibrant green color.
  • Make sure the haddock strips are dry before coating, or the flour will turn gummy and the crust will not stick properly.
  • Turn the goujons halfway through baking so both sides get evenly crisp and golden.
03 -
  • Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan for a minute before blitzing, it deepens their flavor and makes the pesto taste richer.
  • Press the breadcrumb coating firmly onto each strip so it really sticks and does not fall off during baking.
  • If the pesto feels too thick, loosen it with a tablespoon of warm water or extra lemon juice.
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