Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemon and Almonds

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Fishing is one of my husband’s favorite pastimes at our lake house in the Northwest Territories. We love fish, and when he reeled in a gorgeous walleye, I just knew I had to try this idea for a baked walleye recipe with lemon and almonds. Read on for this easy and quick recipe.

Walleye fillets are one of our favorite white fish fillets because of their flaky texture and flavor. This recipe highlights the natural qualities of walleye with just a few simple ingredients that really bring out the taste. 

This recipe makes good use of leftover almonds that you may have used in salads or baking. It also uses a little flour, although sometimes I sub in breadcrumbs.

Walleye is a prized freshwater fish with a flaky texture and a delicate taste. You can fish for it around the Great Lakes area, including Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. When you add lemon wedges and almonds, you get a meal that’s not easy to prepare but also healthy. 

​How to Make Baked Walleye with Lemon and Almonds

This recipe is the easiest way to bake fish fast. While I used walleye, it could work with any flaky white fish.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe. It makes four servings.

• 4 – 4 oz walleye filets or another type of white fish
• ¼ cup flour
•  1 tsp garlic powder
•  1 tsp salt
•  ½ tsp pepper
•  1 egg
•  ¼ cup milk
•  ½ cup sliced almonds, roughly chopped
•  ½ cup breadcrumbs
•  Olive oil for greasing
•  Fresh lemon juice and lemon slices for garnish
•  Parmesan cheese (optional) for added flavor
•  Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

When teaching kids how to cook, choose this recipe. It’s a great introduction to fish recipes because it’s simple and uses few ingredients.

1. Prep Your Baking Dish: Grease a shallow baking pan with olive oil. Preheating your oven to 350ºF ensures it’s ready to perfectly cook the walleye fillets.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

3. Make The Egg Wash: Whisk the egg and milk in another bowl. This mixture will help the almond-breadcrumb coating stick to the walleye.

4. Almond-Breadcrumb Coating: Mix the almonds and breadcrumbs in a third bowl. This crunchy coating is the key to the dish’s textural contrast.

5. Coat the Walleye Fillets: First, pat the walleye fillets dry with paper towels. Then, coat each filet in the flour mixture, dip it in the egg wash, and cover it with the almond-breadcrumb mix. The dry-wet-dry method is crucial for achieving that perfect breading.

6. Bake: Place fish fillets in the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time may vary slightly based on the thickness of your fish fillets.

Serving Suggestions

Another reason I love this baked walleye with lemon recipe is its versatility. There are so many ways to serve it.

Lemon Butter Sauce

1. Prepare a simple lemon butter sauce while the walleye bakes.
2. Just heat fresh lemon juice in a pan, add a knob of butter, and whisk until emulsified.
3. Sprinkle fish with the melted butter mixture before serving for an extra burst of lemony flavor.

Garnishes

Lemon slices or lemon zest and fresh parsley, basil, dill or other fresh herbs add a pop of color. These herbs also enhance the dish’s fresh, citrusy aroma.

Side Dishes for White Fish

A side of green beans sautéed in olive oil or sprinkled with parmesan cheese beautifully complements the walleye’s nutty and citrus notes.

In the summer, I serve this with Watermelon Rind Salad. Sometimes, I also serve Pickled Red Onions.

In cooler weather, I’ll bake a whole grain artisan loaf or sourdough discard biscuits as well.

Baked Walleye with Lemon Recipe FAQs

You have questions, we have answers!

What makes walleye such a great fish for baking?

Walleye is lean with a flaky texture and a mild, sweet flavor. It absorbs other flavors well. So it’s perfect for lemon and almonds. And, by the way, you can use lemon pepper seasoning or just black pepper and butter for this white fish recipe.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You know, you could prepare the walleye up to the point of baking and refrigerate it for 2-3 hours before you’re ready to cook. But I really believe you should bake it fresh for the best texture and flavor. 

How do I ensure my walleye doesn’t dry out in the oven?

Ensure your oven is preheated correctly and avoid overcooking to keep walleye moist and tender. The fish is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140ºF and flakes easily. The olive oil in the baking dish also helps to lock in moisture.

Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemon for the Win

This baked walleye with lemon and almonds recipe proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients or fancy kitchen equipment to cook great food. 

By following these steps, you make a nutritious and delicious meal in no time.

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