Step 1 of 4

Toast the crumbs before anything else

Heat the oven to 425°F with a large baking sheet inside it. Toast the panko in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes until it is an even light gold, then tip it into a shallow dish with the paprika and half the salt.

— Raw panko in a hot oven browns from the outside in and the fish overcooks waiting for it. Toasted first, the crumb only has to crisp.