Baked Catfish Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this baked catfish recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Almond meal: Blanched almond flour works, too. You can also use the same amount of breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free) if you don't mind the added carbs.
• To season: I use kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper.
• Butter: I use it for dipping the fish fillets before coating them in the almond meal. I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be great.
• Avocado oil spray: I use it to spray the fish before placing it in the oven. It helps keep it from drying out in the oven.
• Catfish fillets: I use skinless filets. Try to get similar-sized fish pieces if you can.

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Your first step is to mix the almond meal, salt, pepper, and spices in a shallow dish.

In another shallow dish, melt the butter.

Dip each catfish fillet in the melted butter and dredge it in the almond meal mixture.

Place the coated fillets on a greased roasting rack. Spray them with oil.

Bake the fish for about 15 minutes in a 450°F oven until crisp and golden on the outside and tender and opaque inside.

Expert Tip

The bag of catfish I got when filming a video for this recipe had two fillets - one thin, the other very thick. This would have caused uneven baking.

I solved the problem by slicing the thick fillet into two thinner ones, as shown in the photo below. Another option is to leave the thick filet as is and cook it for a longer time. It should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

What type of fish is catfish?

A catfish is a white-fleshed fish. Its flavor is mild and slightly sweet, and its texture is firm yet moist. It somewhat resembles cod, although they are entirely different species of fish.

Where do you buy catfish?

I used to buy frozen fillets at Whole Foods and thaw them overnight in the fridge. You can also order them at Wild Fork Foods. Since moving to Memphis, they have been abundant in every grocery store, so I usually get them fresh at Kroger.

Can I use frozen catfish?

Yes, but you'll need to defrost them before using them. The coating won't adhere to frozen fish, and the whole thing will come out soggy rather than crispy.

How do you know when the fish is done?

Is catfish good in the oven?

Yes! While the classic preparation calls for deep-frying, high-heat baking achieves similar results with much less work and much less mess to clean up.

Since I bake the fish in a450°F oven, I like to serve it with side dishes that I can cook in the same oven. So, I often serve it with any of the following:

• Roasted okra
• Roasted green beans
• Eggplant chips
• Roasted broccoli
• Buffalo cauliflower wings
• Roasted peppers
• Carrot chips

Baked catfish is also excellent with steamed vegetables such as steamed asparagus, steamed broccoli, and steamed cabbage.

Today, I served it with roasted Brussels sprouts (They are whole because I roasted them from frozen):

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. They won't be as good as the freshly baked fish - the coating will lose its crispiness.

It's best to reheat the leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through, but microwaving them gently works too.

Easy Baked Catfish

This easy recipe for baked catfish is ready in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner.

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 360kcal

Add Your Own Notes

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 324mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g