Mediterranean Snapper Tray Bake

This Mediterranean snapper tray bake is a stunning one-tray meal that brings together a whole cleaned snapper, golden roasted potatoes, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives and capers — all flavoured with a fragrant herb and spice mixture of fresh dill, oregano, coriander and caraway seeds.

Impressive enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for a weekend family meal, this tray bake delivers bold Mediterranean flavours with minimal washing up.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• One-tray meal with minimal cleanup
• Bold Mediterranean flavours
• Whole snapper makes a stunning centrepiece
• Potatoes, tomatoes and olives cook alongside the fish
• High in protein at 42g per serve
• Great value at around $7.50 per serve

Why make a Mediterranean tray bake?

Tray bakes are one of the most satisfying ways to cook — everything goes in together, the oven does the work, and you end up with a complete meal in a single dish. The Mediterranean flavour profile here is particularly well suited to whole fish; the fresh herbs, lemon, capers and olives all complement the delicate sweetness of snapper beautifully.

Rubbing the herb and oil mixture directly into the slits and cavity of the fish ensures the flavour penetrates deeply, giving you fragrant, juicy flesh all the way through.

Ingredients (serves 8)

Servings8

Tray bake

• 400 g cherry truss tomatoes
• ⅔ cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1000 g red-skinned potatoes, cut into 1cm slices
• 1½ kg whole cleaned snapper
• ⅓ cup kalamata olives
• 2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed

Herb rub

• ⅔ cup fresh oregano leaves
• ⅔ cup fresh dill sprigs
• 2 tsp lemon rind, finely grated
• 1 tsp caraway seeds

To serve

• Extra fresh oregano and dill
• Lemon wedges

How to make Mediterranean snapper tray bake

Step 1: Preheat and prepare

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Grease a large baking tray with sides.

Step 2: Prepare and roast the potatoes

Remove half the tomatoes from the vine and place in a large bowl. Crush with your hands. Add wine, lemon juice, garlic, coriander, paprika and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.

Add potato slices and toss to coat. Spread the potato mixture over the prepared tray and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare the herb rub and fish

Place oregano, dill, lemon rind, caraway seeds and remaining olive oil in a small food processor. Season with salt and pepper and process until finely chopped.

Make 4 slits on each side of the snapper. Rub the herb mixture into the cavity and slits of the fish. Place fish on top of the potato mixture and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Add toppings and finish baking

Cut the remaining tomatoes into small portions. Add tomatoes, olives and capers to the tray.

Bake for a further 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. Sprinkle with extra fresh herbs and serve with lemon wedges.

Tips for best results

• Ask your fishmonger to clean and scale the snapper for you to save time
• Crush the tomatoes by hand for a rustic, chunky sauce base
• Cut potatoes to an even 1cm thickness so they cook evenly
• Press the herb rub firmly into the slits to maximise flavour
• Check the fish is cooked by inserting a knife into the thickest part — the flesh should flake easily
• Don’t skip the capers and olives — they add essential briny depth to the dish

Serving suggestions

This Mediterranean snapper tray bake pairs beautifully with:

• Warm crusty bread to soak up the juices
• A simple Greek salad with feta and cucumber
• Steamed greens or broccolini
• A chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or dry Rosé
• Tzatziki on the side for extra freshness

Nutrition per serving

Based on 8 servings

Energy

1503 kJ

Calories

359 cal

Protein

42.3 g

Total fat

11.5 g

Saturated fat

2.1 g

Carbohydrate

16.1 g

Sodium

351 mg

Cholesterol

0.1 g

Final thoughts

This Mediterranean snapper tray bake is the kind of recipe that looks and tastes like it took far more effort than it actually did. The combination of fragrant herbs, roasted garlic, sweet tomatoes and briny olives creates a sauce that’s rich and complex, while the whole snapper stays moist and flavourful from the herb rub worked into every slit and crevice.

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply want to treat the family to something special on a weekend, this tray bake delivers every time. Put it in the oven, pour yourself a glass of wine, and let the Mediterranean aromas do the rest.