Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it
Pat cod dry with paper towels
Season cod with salt, black pepper, and optional garlic powder or paprika
Add optional marinade or coating: olive oil or melted butter, lemon juice, and herbs (dill/parsley)
Place cod on the baking sheet in a single layer
Bake for 10–14 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F (63°C)
Optional: broil for 1–2 minutes for browning
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and optional garnish (chopped parsley)