4.8 from 12 votes
Southern Cornmeal-Crusted Baked Catfish
Classic Southern fried catfish gets a lighter, healthier, and easier makeover with this crispy baked catfish!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 88 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole buttermilk, well shaken
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt (I use Lawry’s brand)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 lb. catfish fillets, cut into 3-4 ounce portions
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- nonstick cooking spray
- Optional garnish: tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Coat the rack with cooking spray.
- Place buttermilk in a shallow dish.
- In a separate shallow dish, combine cornmeal, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Pat fish dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Working with one piece of fish at a time, dip a catfish fillet in the buttermilk mixture, and shake off any excess.
- Transfer buttermilk-soaked fish to the cornmeal mixture and gently roll to coat on both sides.
- Repeat with remaining fillets.
- Arrange the fish about 1-inch apart on the prepared wire rack. Coat the tops of the fillets with cooking spray.
- Bake until crispy and golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 15-20 minutes, turning the fillets over and coating with cooking spray again on the opposite side halfway through. Serve with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use regular milk in lieu of the buttermilk. Whole milk is ideal, since it's thicker and richer (more like buttermilk), but any variety will work.
- Instead of nonstick cooking spray, use an oil mister with olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil to help the outside of the fish become crispy and golden brown.
- Cooking just for two? Cut the ingredients in half. The rest of the instructions remain the same.
- This is a mild fish. If you prefer some heat, you can add extra cayenne to the breading, or add hot sauce to the buttermilk.
- Mix additional herbs and seasonings into the cornmeal breading. Try thyme, rosemary, chives, basil, oregano, or parsley. You might like some Old Bay seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or Creole or Cajun seasoning, too.
- Make catfish sandwiches by serving the fillets on hoagie rolls with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce.
- Prepare catfish tacos by serving the fillets in taco shells or tortillas with fresh salsa, guacamole, coleslaw, and all of your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1fillet
Calories
88kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
2g
(3%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Cholesterol
2mg
(1%)
Sodium
889mg
(37%)
Potassium
95mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
139IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
0.1mg
(0%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 88
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1fillet | |
| Calories | 88kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 2mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 889mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 95mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 139IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.