Before you do anything, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). This step is crucial because a hot oven is essential for achieving a perfectly baked cod that’s golden on the outside and tender on the inside.

Grab a baking tray and lay down your cod fillets. Ensure they’re evenly spaced, so each piece gets its fair share of heat. Pat them dry with a paper towel—this helps the seasonings stick better and creates a better texture.

Now, it's time to drizzle around one tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil over those lovely fillets. Give it a nice swirl; sometimes, I even use my hands to rub it in a bit. This oil not only adds flavor but ensures the cod stays moist.

Next, squeeze about one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice over the fish. It’ll start to sizzle gently, and you can almost hear it saying, "Yes, I love this!" Now, sprinkle the sea salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest evenly over the fillets. I like to give them a little massage to ensure everything is well-coated.

Plop that baking tray into your preheated oven! Set a timer for 10 to 12 minutes. This can vary based on the thickness of your cod fillets, so feel free to peek in and make sure it looks flaky and opaque.

Once cooked, take the tray out of the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Finish off with a generous sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of freshness and color. Serve immediately while it’s still warm!