Oven Fried Catfish

Crispy, flavorful, and impressively easy to make, this Oven Fried Catfish recipe is the perfect way to bring Southern charm to your dinner table without the mess of deep frying. Tender catfish fillets are marinated in tangy buttermilk and a splash of hot sauce for a zesty kick, then coated in a perfectly seasoned cornmeal crust featuring paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of cayenne pepper. Baked to golden perfection at 400°F, these fillets offer all the crunch of classic fried catfish with a healthier, oven-baked twist. Ready in just 35 minutes, this dish is a wonderfully quick meal for a weeknight or a relaxed gathering. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and your favorite sides for a light, flavorful seafood feast everyone will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces catfish fillets
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0 nonstick cooking spray
• 0 optional for serving lemon wedges

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2

In a shallow dish, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Mix well.

Step 3

In another shallow dish, combine yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix evenly.

Step 4

Pat the catfish fillets dry with a paper towel. Then, dip each fillet into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.

Step 5

Dredge the buttermilk-coated fillets in the cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a thick and even coating.

Step 6

Place the coated fillets onto the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops of the fillets with nonstick cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, flipping the fillets halfway through to ensure even cooking. The fillets are done when the crust is golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Step 8

Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	908.1 grams (908.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1379

Total Fat 26.90g	34%
Saturated Fat 8.80g	44%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.50g
Cholesterol 307mg	102%
Sodium 3554mg	155%
Total Carbohydrate 184.00g	67%
Dietary Fiber 14.80g	53%
Total Sugars 13.50g
Protein 100.10g	200%

Vitamin D 127IU	635%
Calcium 359mg	28%
Iron 9mg	51%
Potassium 1950mg	41%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17.6%

Protein: 29.0%

Carbs: 53.4%