13+ Baked Catfish Recipes That Always Come Out Perfect

It always starts the same way for me: a craving for something comforting after a long day, but I want dinner to be easy, a little special, and healthier than the usual frying routine. That’s when baked catfish comes out of the recipe box—simple, Southern, and always a hit at our table. It reminds me of family reunions when platters of catfish disappeared faster than you could blink, and of weeknights where a quick oven meal wins out over standing at the stove. Over the years, I’ve collected a list of 13+ baked catfish recipes that always come out perfect—no fussing, just reliably golden, flavorful fish ready to serve.

1. Classic Southern Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

This baked version lets you keep all the homey, soulful flavors of a catfish dinner but skips the grease. It’s the kind of weeknight staple that works when you’re feeding picky kids or when you want a simple dinner on the table without splatters.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 eggs
• Lemon wedges and chopped parsley for serving

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and set a wire rack on top.
2. Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
4. Pat the catfish fillets dry. Dip each fillet in eggs, then in the cornmeal mixture, coating well.
5. Place fillets on the prepared rack. Spray lightly with oil.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
7. Serve with lemon wedges and parsley.

Optional Enhancer:

Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of cayenne to the cornmeal mixture for a little Southern heat.

2. Lemon Herb Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

This recipe is light, bright, and perfect for spring or summer. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy enough for guests but is simple enough for a weeknight. The lemon and herbs always smell amazing as they bake.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 lemons (one sliced, one juiced)
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly oil a baking dish.
2. Place catfish fillets in the dish. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Sprinkle with half the dill, parsley, salt, and pepper.
4. Layer lemon slices over the top.
5. Bake for 18–20 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
6. Garnish with remaining herbs before serving.

Optional Enhancer:

Meal Prep Tip: Leftovers are great in salads—just flake the fish and toss with greens.

3. Cajun Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

Bold and just-spicy-enough for flavor lovers, this recipe was made for busy nights when you want maximum taste with minimal effort. It turns catfish into a crave-worthy main with pretty much no clean-up.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Brush catfish fillets with olive oil and sprinkle both sides with Cajun seasoning and salt.
3. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until opaque and just cooked through.
5. Serve with lemon wedges.

Optional Enhancer:

Flavor Boost: Squeeze more lemon juice over the hot fish for a citrusy zing.

4. Panko-Crusted Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

Panko gives you a crisp, golden crust without frying. This is my go-to when I want something crunchy but want to keep things lighter for a busy weeknight.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Mix panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, and salt in a shallow bowl.
3. Dip fillets in eggs, then coat well in the panko mixture.
4. Drizzle olive oil over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Arrange fillets.
5. Bake for 15–18 minutes until crisp and golden.

Optional Enhancer:

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t skip oiling the baking sheet—this helps the crust crisp up.

5. Garlic Butter Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

Rich, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, this garlic butter catfish is perfect for comfort food cravings. The best part is how effortless it is, with simple ingredients but big payoff.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 24 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 lemon, sliced

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Arrange catfish fillets in a lightly greased baking dish.
3. Combine melted butter and garlic; pour over fish.
4. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and half the parsley.
5. Bake for 15–17 minutes.
6. Garnish with lemon slices and remaining parsley.

Optional Enhancer:

Serving Idea: Pair with roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes for a balanced, comforting meal.

6. Parmesan-Herb Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

Cheesy, flavorful, and just a little bit elegant, this recipe wins over kids and grown-ups alike. It’s what I make when I want baked catfish that feels special but comes together with pantry staples.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs
• ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix Parmesan, breadcrumbs, herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Brush fillets with melted butter and press crumb topping evenly on top.
4. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
5. Bake for 18–20 minutes until cheese is golden.

Optional Enhancer:

Best Pairings: Serve with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.

7. Spicy Honey Mustard Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

This sweet-and-spicy twist is so easy, and it’s always a hit with kids and grownups. The honey mustard glaze makes it sticky and flavorful outside, juicy inside.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix honey, Dijon, whole grain mustard, hot sauce, olive oil, and salt in a bowl.
3. Place catfish on a lined baking sheet. Brush generously with sauce.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, brushing halfway with more glaze.
5. Serve extra sauce as a dip.

Optional Enhancer:

Swap This With That: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a different flavor note.

8. Oven-“Fried” Baked Catfish Nuggets

Why You’ll Love It:

A playful, kid-friendly way to enjoy baked catfish without all the frying fuss. These make great party appetizers or easy dinners when everyone wants finger food.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 lb catfish, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup panko
• ⅓ cup cornmeal
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Nonstick spray

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Mix panko, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Dip catfish pieces in eggs, then in crumb mixture.
4. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spray with oil.
5. Bake for 15–17 minutes, turning once, until crisp.

Optional Enhancer:

Budget-Friendly Tip: Buy frozen catfish fillets and thaw—they work great for nuggets.

9. BBQ Spice Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

When you’re craving barbecue flavor but don’t want to stand over a grill, this smoky, quick-baked fish is your friend. The dry rub is just right with sides like baked beans or simple tossed slaw.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 24 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Combine all dry spices and brown sugar.
3. Rub olive oil over fillets; coat generously in seasoning blend.
4. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet for 15–17 minutes, until done.

Optional Enhancer:

Best Pairings: Baked beans, coleslaw, and buttered corn.

10. Mediterranean Baked Catfish with Tomatoes and Olives

Why You’ll Love It:

Easy, colorful, and loaded with flavor, this Mediterranean-inspired catfish feels like a mini vacation for your tastebuds. It’s hearty enough for company and makes a showy centerpiece with very little work.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes

Total Time: 34 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, julienned

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Arrange fillets in a baking dish. Scatter tomatoes and olives over the top.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with lemon juice, zest, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Bake for 20–22 minutes, until fish is flaky.
5. Sprinkle with fresh basil to finish.

Optional Enhancer:

Swap This With That: Sub green olives and add thinly sliced red onion for variety.

11. Baked Catfish with Creole Sauce

Why You’ll Love It:

This recipe gives you that classic New Orleans flavor with barely any stovetop work. The tangy tomato-based sauce bakes together with the fish, making clean-up a dream.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 rib celery, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 2 tsp Creole seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a skillet, sauté onion, celery, and bell pepper in olive oil until soft.
3. Stir in tomatoes and all spices. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Arrange catfish in a baking dish and cover with sauce.
5. Bake for 20–25 minutes.
6. Top with parsley to serve.

Optional Enhancer:

Best Pairings: Serve with steamed rice or buttered grits.

12. Asian-Inspired Soy Ginger Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

A little out-of-the-box for a Southern staple, but the sweet-salty combo wakes up weeknight dinners and is delicious with a bowl of sticky rice. My crew loves this one when we want flavor that’s fresh but not spicy.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and vinegar.
3. Place catfish fillets in a baking dish; pour sauce over fish.
4. Bake for 12 minutes.
5. Mix cornstarch with a splash of cold water, then stir into baking juices. Bake 4 minutes more until sauce thickens.
6. Top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Optional Enhancer:

Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of chili flakes to the sauce for gentle heat.

13. Buttermilk Ranch Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

Tangy buttermilk and crunchy ranch-seasoned breading—this one’s for fans of classic comfort. Great for potlucks or feeding a crowd, and it always comes out juicy and tender.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp chopped dill
• ½ cup flour
• ½ tsp salt
• Nonstick spray

How to Make It:

1. Soak fillets in buttermilk in the fridge for 1 hour or as long as you can.
2. Mix breadcrumbs, ranch mix, dill, flour, and salt.
3. Preheat oven to 425°F.
4. Dip fillets in breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat.
5. Arrange on a sprayed baking rack.
6. Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden.

Optional Enhancer:

Meal Prep Tip: You can soak fish in buttermilk a day ahead for deeper flavor.

14. Baked Blackened Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

You get all that punchy, smoky flavor of blackened catfish with none of the stovetop splatter or lingering spicy smoke in your kitchen. Fast, bold, and perfect for sandwiches or tacos.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp melted butter

How to Make It:

1. Mix all spices and salt in a bowl.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. Brush fillets with melted butter, coat heavily in spice mixture.
4. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12–14 minutes until opaque and flaky.

Optional Enhancer:

Serving Idea: Spoon fish onto tortillas with cabbage and fresh salsa for easy tacos.

15. Baked Catfish with Roasted Vegetables

Why You’ll Love It:

A one-pan dinner that saves on dishes, full of roasted veggies and perfectly seasoned catfish. It’s a go-to when you want a balanced meal with minimum effort.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 zucchini, cut into half-moons
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Spread prepped veggies on a large sheet pan, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with half the thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast veggies for 15 minutes.
4. Nestle catfish fillets among the veggies, drizzle with remaining oil, thyme, and more salt and pepper.
5. Return to oven for 10 minutes more, until fish is just cooked.

Optional Enhancer:

Personal Note: This was my “clean out the fridge” dinner growing up—still my favorite way to use random veggies.

16. Herbed Mayo-Parmesan Baked Catfish

Why You’ll Love It:

Ultra moist and beautifully seasoned, mayonnaise and Parmesan lock in flavor while creating a savory, bubbly crust. Great for when you want a restaurant-style touch with pantry ingredients.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 catfish fillets
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp garlic salt

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, chives, basil, and garlic salt.
3. Spread mixture over catfish fillets and place in a greased baking dish.
4. Bake for 18–20 minutes, until topping is golden and bubbly.

Optional Enhancer:

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t overbake—the Parmesan crust should be just turning golden, not dry.

FAQ

How do you keep baked catfish from drying out?

Coating the catfish with a bit of oil, butter, or sauce helps lock in moisture. Be careful not to overbake—most catfish fillets only need about 15–20 minutes in the oven.

What sides go best with baked catfish?

Classic picks are coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans, potato wedges, greens, or simple salads. Roasted vegetables and rice also pair nicely.

Can I use frozen catfish fillets for these recipes?

Yes, just thaw the fillets completely and pat dry before using. Frozen fillets actually work great in most baked preparations.

How do I tell when baked catfish is done?

The fish should flake easily with a fork and turn opaque all the way through. A good rule of thumb: 10 minutes of cook time per inch of thickness at 400°F.

Conclusion

Baked catfish is truly the kind of meal that brings people together—whether you’re after nostalgia, weeknight ease, or a canvas for new flavors. These 13+ baked catfish recipes are proof that you can get perfectly flaky, delicious results every single time without fuss or fryers. Try a classic one night, go bold with Cajun spice the next, or let the veggies in your fridge inspire your own twist. The best part? Catfish is so forgiving and friendly to all sorts of seasonings and sides. Keep experimenting, trust your instincts, and you’ll have new favorites to share with everyone at your table.