If you’re looking for a flavorful and healthy oven baked trout recipe, this Azerbaijani-inspired dish is a must-try. Combining delicate trout with aromatic spices, citrus, and a generous handful of pine nuts, this recipe offers a fresh take on traditional baked fish with herbs.
In Azerbaijan, trout may not be as common as other meats, but local cooks know how to transform it using unique flavor combinations. This whole baked fish is lightly stuffed and roasted in the oven to perfection—moist, fragrant, and packed with taste.
Whether you’re hosting guests or planning a cozy dinner, this healthy trout recipe is both simple and impressive. It pairs beautifully with fresh herbs, lemon, or a light side dish.

Azerbaijani Baked Trout with Nuts and Spices
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Grind the peeled pine nuts into a fine paste or gruel. Add ground cinnamon and ground ginger to the mixture. Stir thoroughly until well combined.
- To the nut and spice mixture, add olive oil and salt. Mix again until you have a smooth, aromatic paste. This will be used to season the trout.
- Thoroughly mix the olive oil, salt, pine nuts, cinnamon, and ginger into a smooth paste. This aromatic mixture will serve as the main seasoning for the trout.
- Make a few diagonal cuts about 1 cm deep across the trout. This helps the seasoning penetrate better during cooking and ensures the fish is flavorful throughout.
- Rub the seasoning paste thoroughly over the trout — both inside the cavity and on the skin. Make sure the mixture gets into all the cuts you made earlier.
- Place a few whole pine nuts into the slits on the fish. This step enhances the flavor and adds a unique texture when baked.
- Insert several thin slices of lemon into the cavity of the trout. This adds a refreshing aroma and balances the richness of the spices.
- Wrap the seasoned trout tightly in aluminum foil to lock in moisture and flavor during baking.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F). Bake the wrapped trout for 45–50 minutes. Carefully unwrap and serve hot.
Notes
If pine nuts are unavailable, you can substitute with walnuts or almonds.
For an extra zesty flavor, try adding a splash of lemon juice before serving.
If you’re looking for more hearty dishes, be sure to check out our classic lamb shurpa recipe — a warming and flavorful soup perfect for cold evenings.
We go fishing for stream trout in Northern WI, USA This is going to make us a tasty supper! Thanks so much. Rosalind Lund
Many thanks!