Preheat your oven broiler on high heat, and arrange the oven rack about 5 inches from the top heat element. This allows the fish to get that perfect crispiness.
In a shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, melted butter, olive oil, salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated. The mixture should be somewhat clumpy—this helps it stick to the fish.
Season the fish fillets generously with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder. Then, spread approximately 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise over the top of each fillet. This adds moisture and helps the crumb mixture adhere.
Take one fillet and press the mayo-side firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it sticks evenly. Repeat this process for the remaining fillets until all are coated.
Lightly spray each fillet with cooking oil spray. This extra layer helps achieve a golden, crispy crust during cooking.
Drizzle about 2 teaspoons of olive oil into an oven-proof pan or cast-iron skillet. Heat it over high heat on the stove until it’s hot. You want to get a nice sear on the fish.
Once the pan is hot, carefully arrange the fillets into the pan, crumb-side up. Then, place the pan under the broiler. Cook until the fish is cooked through and the crust is golden brown—this will take about 5 to 6 minutes.
Rotate the pan as needed for even cooking halfway through. To check if the fish is cooked, gently pull at the flesh with a fork at the thickest part; it should flake easily when done.
Before serving, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top and garnish with extra chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Enjoy your delicious meal!