Easy Southern Oven Fried Catfish

southern oven fried catfish on a wooden cutting board.

4.88 from 25 votes

Easy Southern Oven Fried Catfish

Oven fried catfish is coated in a flavorful cornmeal breading and baked until extra crispy and golden brown. You will be pleasantly surprised by how crispy this catfish gets in the oven!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 336kcal

Author: Ashley Boyd

Equipment

Ingredients

6 catfish fillets about 2 pounds
1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons smoked paprika or regular sweet paprika
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper depending on spice preference
1 ½ cups buttermilk whole or low-fat
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon hot sauce such as Louisiana, Frank's RedHot, or Crystal
Olive oil cooking spray or canola or vegetable oil cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Rinse and pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels. Set them aside while you prepare the coating.
To a gallon zip-top bag, add the cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. Gently shake the ingredients in the bag to combine. Set the bag aside.
Add the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce to a large baking dish or pie plate and whisk the ingredients until combined and the eggs are completely mixed in.
Working in batches of two pieces of fish at a time, transfer the catfish fillets to the dish with the buttermilk mixture and coat both sides. Then place the fish in the bag with the cornmeal mixture and gently shake the bag to completely cover the catfish pieces in the breading.
Line the catfish up on the prepared sheet, being careful not to overlap the pieces of fish. Generously spray the tops of the catfish fillets with olive oil or canola oil cooking spray, making sure there are no dry spots left.
Transfer the fish to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Garnish the fish with chopped parsley if desired and serve with lemon wedges.

Video

Notes

Make sure there are no dry spots left on the fish when coating it in cooking spray.
Leftover oven-fried catfish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat leftover fish in the oven or a toaster oven for the crispiest texture.

Nutrition