Name: Smoky Garlic Butter Baked Trout
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 trout fillets, 4-5 ounces each; 12 ounces mini peppers, halved and deseeded; Chives, for garnish; 4 tablespoons butter; 2 teaspoons paprika (1 tsp hot + 1 tsp sweet recommended); 2 garlic cloves, minced or sliced; Juice of half lemon, plus slices; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

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Transform your weeknight dinner with this simple but elegant Oven Baked Trout Recipe. The combination of smoky paprika, garlic butter, and sweet mini peppers creates a Spanish-inspired, restaurant-worthy meal that's surprisingly easy to achieve at home. No special skills or equipment required.

Baked trout glazed with paprika butter sauce on a bed of couscous and roasted multi colored peppers.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Wonder: Fish and veggies cook together, minimizing cleanup.
Quick Cooking Time: Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
Foolproof Method: A simple oven-baked technique ensure perfectly cooked, moist fish every time.
Versatile: Works beautifully with other fish varieties if trout isn't available.

If trout is your one true love, you have to try my Baked Steelhead Trout next! And if sheet pan dinners fill you with joy, grab my Garlic Herb Mahi Mahi with Asparagus recipe.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for recipe laid out on a table and labeled.

Fish: I used rainbow trout fillets, which are fairly thin, but rich and flavorful. Substitute trout with salmon, arctic char, or any mild white fish. If using thicker fish fillets, adjust cooking time.
Peppers: Mini peppers are ideal, but substitute bell peppers cut into strips, or substitute asparagus or thin green beans.
Paprika: I used half sweet and half spicy paprika. All sweet or all spicy paprika work well, depending on your flavor preference. If choosing smoked paprika, reduce to ½ teaspoon smoked in combination with 1 teaspoon of sweet or spicy paprika.
Fresh Herbs: The garnish is optional. Substitute flat leaf parsley or dill for chives.

Full ingredients and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.

Pro Tips for Success

Pat fish completely dry before seasoning for better butter and seasoning absorption.
Don't overcook - fish should be just opaque in the center.
Arrange peppers skin-side up for better charring.
Let fish rest 3-5 minutes before serving (perfect time to char the peppers under the broiler!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Fish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pat fish dry and season with salt. Arrange fish (skin down) with peppers on sheet pan.

Four fish fillets laid on a pan with multi colored peppers.

Step 2: Coat in Sauce

Prepare garlic paprika butter.

Butter and garlic in a bowl with spices.

Brush fish and drizzle peppers with butter mixture.

Four trout fillets on a sheet pan with multi colored peppers and glazed with paprika garlic butter sauce.

Step 3: Bake and Serve

Bake 10-12 minutes. Optional: Broil peppers 2-3 minutes.

Sheet pan of baked fish and multi colored peppers.

Garnish with chives and serve.

Oven baked trout glazed with paprika butter sauce on a bed of couscous and roasted multi colored peppers.

How do I know when the trout is done?

Fish should flake easily with a fork and reach 145 degrees internal temperature. I usually remove the fish at 140 degrees and let it rest to take advantage of carryover cooking without drying the fish.

Can I make this ahead?

This recipe is best served fresh, but you can prep the garlic butter and cut peppers in advance and leave everything on a sheet pan in the refrigerator until it's time to bake.

What sides go well with baked trout?

I like serving this with couscous because the smoky paprika and garlic are a perfect match. Yellow Rice, Garlic Quinoa, or Garlic Baguette also work perfectly to soak up the flavorful butter sauce.