This easy Baked Catfish recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. With a crispy, Cajun-spiced coating and tender fish, it’s both simple and delicious. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand, making this meal customizable and perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients Needed
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 4 catfish filletsKosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to tasteLemon wedges, for serving
How To Make Baked Catfish
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil onto a large baking sheet.
- Prepare the coating: On a large plate, mix together the cornmeal and Cajun seasoning until well combined.
- Season and dredge the catfish: Season the catfish fillets with salt and black pepper. Then, dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing down slightly to coat evenly.
- Bake the catfish: Place the coated catfish fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the fillets. Bake for 15 minutes or until the fish is golden and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove the catfish from the oven and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy your crispy, flavorful baked catfish!
Recipe Tips
- Use a non-stick baking sheet: This will help prevent the catfish from sticking to the sheet and ensure an easy cleanup.
- Press the fillets into the cornmeal mixture: Gently pressing the fish into the coating helps the cornmeal stick better, giving you a crispier texture.
- Don’t overcook the fish: Bake until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking will make it dry.
- Let the catfish rest before serving: After baking, let the fish rest for a couple of minutes. This helps lock in moisture.
- Use fresh lemon wedges: Fresh lemon will add a burst of flavor that really enhances the catfish.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Cool the leftover catfish to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Freeze: Wrap the catfish tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then put it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover baked catfish in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. You can also use a microwave, but the oven helps keep the coating crispy.
More Recipes:
Baked Catfish
Description
This easy Baked Catfish recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. With a crispy, Cajun-spiced coating and tender fish, it’s both simple and delicious. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand, making this meal customizable and perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil onto a large baking sheet.
- Prepare the coating: On a large plate, mix together the cornmeal and Cajun seasoning until well combined.
- Season and dredge the catfish: Season the catfish fillets with salt and black pepper. Then, dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing down slightly to coat evenly.
- Bake the catfish: Place the coated catfish fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the fillets. Bake for 15 minutes or until the fish is golden and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove the catfish from the oven and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy your crispy, flavorful baked catfish!
Notes
- Use a non-stick baking sheet: This will help prevent the catfish from sticking to the sheet and ensure an easy cleanup.
- Press the fillets into the cornmeal mixture: Gently pressing the fish into the coating helps the cornmeal stick better, giving you a crispier texture.
- Don’t overcook the fish: Bake until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking will make it dry.
- Let the catfish rest before serving: After baking, let the fish rest for a couple of minutes. This helps lock in moisture.
- Use fresh lemon wedges: Fresh lemon will add a burst of flavor that really enhances the catfish.
Baked Catfish
