Ah yes! Baked Cajun Catfish 🐟🔥—a flavorful, tender, and low-mess way to enjoy this Southern classic. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a “restaurant-style” dinner at home.
Here’s a detailed, foolproof recipe:
🐟 Baked Cajun Catfish
Serves 3–4
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional for smokiness)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven
- 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
- Prep the catfish
- Pat fillets dry with paper towels (key for flavor and texture).
- Brush both sides with olive oil or melted butter.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper evenly on both sides.
- Bake
- Place fillets on the prepared pan.
- Bake 15–20 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Optional broil for crispiness
- Broil 1–2 minutes at the end to give the top a slight golden crust.
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
- Serve with sides like rice, roasted vegetables, or a light salad.
🔥 Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook: Catfish cooks quickly and dries out if left too long.
- Dry fillets first: This helps the seasoning stick and gives a firmer texture.
- Extra flavor: Marinate in a little lemon juice and Cajun seasoning for 15–20 minutes before baking.
- Sheet pan dinner: Add sliced bell peppers, onions, or zucchini around the fish for a one-pan meal.
Variations
- Spicy: Add more cayenne or a drizzle of hot sauce before baking.
- Crispy topping: Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top before baking.
- Creamy Cajun sauce: Serve with a drizzle of spicy mayo or remoulade.
If you want, I can give you a sheet-pan Cajun catfish with veggies recipe that’s super easy, minimal cleanup, and packed with flavor 🐟🌶️✨.
Do you want me to do that?
