Do you need a last-minute dinner that's healthy, quick, and easy? Worry not!! My oven-baked quick and easy Swai fish recipe is here to rock your dinner! You are starting with frozen Swai fish fillet and they will be ready on your plate in less than 30 minutes.
After a long day at work, who has time to come home, thaw the fish, AND cook it for dinner? Not me!! Well, I am a vegetarian now but back when I had a corporate job, it was a struggle to find time to cook (despite my passion for cooking!). And this is how this recipe was born! My oven-baked swai fish is a quick, easy, and delicious way to take care of your dinner dilemma!
What this recipe works
- You don't have to thaw the fish. This recipe starts with using frozen fish! There is no need to thaw the fish prior to cooking them in the oven. Just make sure the internal temperature of the fish is at least 145F.
- The seasoning of the recipe consists of pantry items - salt, pepper, seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- This is a healthy way to enjoy the fish. There is no extra breading or excessive amount of butter in the recipe.
What is swai fish?
Swai fish is a neutral flavor, white-fleshed fish that has a good source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B12 depending on how it is raised.
Is swai fish healthy?
Swai fish itself is a healthy fish. However, how this fish was farmed raises lots of environmental and health concerns such as excessive usage of disinfectants, anti-parasitic, and antibiotics. I recommend purchasing a brand with eco-certification to minimize these concerns.
Can you use other types of fish?
YES!! Absolutely! These are the fish that will work for this recipe!
- Catfish
- Pacific cod
- Sole
- Flounder
- Tilapia
I'd say tilapia has the closest taste and texture to swai fish. It is a freshwater fish that is a lean source of protein, low in fat. However, tilapia has similar farming concerns as swai fish. I recommend purchasing tilapia from the U.S., Canada, or Netherland (avoid China).
I also would like to note that wild-caught fish is always better than farm-raised fish. And try to buy a fish with eco-certification brands.
How to cook swai fish in the oven
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Prepare the seasoning for the fish. You can always customize your seasoning by adding or omitting the spices of your choice.
- Spray the fish with cooking spray so the seasoning will stick to the fish.
- Bake the fish for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Turn off the oven but leave the fish in the oven for 15 minutes so the fish continues to cook.
- Enjoy.
Helpful tips
- You can always rinse your fish fillet under cold water, pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel before seasoning the fish.
- If your fish fillet is bigger than 4 ounces, increase the cooking time. For example, if your fish is 6 ounces, I recommend baking them in the oven for 14 to 16 minutes, turn off the oven, and leave in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
- You can customize by adding different seasonings such as Old Bay or lemon and herb seasoning. You can also control the spice level by adding or omitting the red pepper flakes.
- The cooked fish will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
Craving a more healthy & quick seafood-inspired dinner?
Check out my "Fish stick taco" and "Fish stick sushi bowl with spicy mayo"
Oven Baked Swai Fish Recipe (from frozen swai)
Easy, flavorful, and quick recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner! Start with frozen fish fillet and dinner will be ready in 30 minutes!
- Prep Time: 3 mins
- Cook Time: 27 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 fish fillets 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 Swai fish fillets (4 ounces each, frozen)
- Cooking spray
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (I use Lawry’s low sodium seasoned salt)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients except fish and cooking spray.
- On a baking sheet covered with foil (for easy clean up), lay the frozen fish fillets.
- Spray the fish fillets with cooking spray. Spray it just enough so the seasoning will stick.
- Sprinkle half of the mixed seasoning on the fish.
- Flip the fish and coat with cooking spray and sprinkle with rest of the seasoning.
- Cook in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes. Fish is most likely opaque in color.
- Turn off the oven but leave the fish in the oven for 15 more minutes. This will ensure the fish will be cooked through so that it is completely opaque and flaky.
Notes
- You can rinse your fish fillet under cold water, pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel before seasoning the fish.
- If your fish fillet is bigger than 4 ounces, increase the cooking time.
- The cooked fish will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Keywords: Oven baked swai fish, swai fish recipe, swai, fish
Kim Billhimer
I love simple and quick. Thank you I have a very inpatient son who wants food now. So this is. great!!!!!
George
I’m so happy to hear that, Kim!! 🤗
Emily
Have this in my oven now! It smells divine!
George
Hope you like it, Emily 🙂
Inka
I really loved how the fish came out with this method of baking it and letting it sit in the oven. The fish came out perfect, it wasn't overcooked and rubbery. I do have one question, if the fish is already thawed, how long does it need to be baked and left in the oven for? Thanks
★★★★★
George
Hi Inka,
I'm so happy you liked the recipe!
To be honest, I've never made this with thawed fish. So my bet is to go with the instruction on the (fish) package. I don't think you need to leave the fish in the oven when you start with thawed fish. Hope this helps!
Thank you for your fantastic review!
Tracy
That was what I was wondering if it was thawed already. So use their cooking time and maybe not set in the oven. Thank you
Melody
Very good recipe. We couldn’t get enough. Spices were just right.
★★★★★
Emily Zumwalt
Maybe the filets I bought were larger than average, but they came out a bit undercooked and watery. I stuck them in the microwave to finish them up. Still pretty flavorful and healthy tho!
★★★
George
Hi Emily,
If you were to try bigger filets in the future, maybe add 3-4 minutes of baking time in the oven and leave it in there a little longer. But I'm glad to hear that you like the flavor! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a thoughtful comment!
Lee
Seasoning is the key… sobiuse a lot ( for me) easy recipe and done within half hour too! Delish served with green beans and cauliflower rice
★★★★★
George
Hi Lee,
Yesss, I agree with you! I personally like to (slightly over) season my food as well but when I write a recipe, I have people who season food conservatively in mind. After all, you can add more seasoning but can’t take them off, right?!! I’m glad you adjust the seasoning to your liking 😊Cauliflower rice and green bean sounds so healthy and delicious!! Thank you so much for your review 🙏🏻
Greg Divine
I made this tonight for dinner and the whole family loved it ! Even my picky eater who thought he didn’t like fish , except for fish sticks. He now says he likes fish . I grew up fishing and eating fish and have always been a fish guy . It tastes good and good for you so you can’t go wrong. Others that think they don’t like fish should give this a try . It’s a mild white fish that doesn’t taste or smell fishy . I’ll be make this again for sure .Thank you for sharing your recipe with us .
★★★★★
George
Hello Greg,
I'm so happy your family (including your son) liked the fish recipe! I'd like to agree that this is a great recipe to try even if you are not a big fan of fish if I said so myself, haha. Thank you so much for your kind words and review!
Kristen
This is the perfect fish and recipe for someone who isn’t crazy about fish. I have refused to eat fish for about 40 years. I’ve hated the smell, the look, etc. knowing it’s more healthy, I decided to try this particular fish and recipe. It won me over! I’ve had it 3 times now. Thank you for providing an easy, yummy recipe that’s healthy for me.
George
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Kristen! It totally made my day! I'm very happy to hear that you like the recipe 🙂
Karhy
Very quick and easy recipe! It was delicious!
★★★★★
George
Thank you so much for your review, Karhy! I'm happy you enjoyed this recipe 🙂
Mary Beth
I am not a fish lover. However, I am trying and this recipe was spot on! My husband loves fish and he said it was delicious. I did back off a bit of the red pepper flakes the second time making the recipe. Both ways is still great flavor! Thanks for the recipe!
Mary Beth
George
I'm so happy to hear that you guys enjoyed my recipe! Thank you for your kind words, Mary Beth!
Jim
George,
I’m am and have been for years a swai fanatic, but simply never thought to bake from frozen. What a lovely delicate texture! Thank you so much for posting this.
Jim
George
Hi Jim, I'm so glad to hear you enjoy the recipe! It surely is a quick and delicious way to enjoy swai fish 🙂 Thank you for your kind words!
John
Made it. Now to try it. Looks good. I added extra garlic powder and som Old Bat, too. Like that I can time other items while not worrying about fish getting overdone in the oven
★★★★★
George
Hi John, extra garlic powder and Old Bay sound like an excellent addition! Hope you enjoy!
KAREN
I love this recipe! Although, I got to admit I tweaked it a little. I added a little melted butter, and topped with lemon slices and chives. It always comes out perfectly cooked and delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
★★★★★
George
Hi Karen,
They are excellent additions to the recipe!
Thank you so much for your review!
Vicki W
The seasoning was perfect! My husband and I both loved the Swai which required nothing but a squeeze of lemon to be perfect. Great recipe and so easy. Followed the recipe and it wss great. Simple couscous and broccoli sides. Heal th by and filling meal in 30 minutes. WOW!
★★★★★
George
Hello Vicki,
I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Your sides (couscous and broccoli) sound perfect for a healthy dinner!
Thank you so much for your review!