Baked Catfish with Herbs (2024)

🍳 Less Frying, More Baking and Roasting

When I think of how to cook catfish, I automatically think of all those fish fries we had back in the day. Piles of french fries, fried hush puppies, and fried fish. Of course, we all learned that there were more healthful ways to eat, and gradually our diet changed. Fewer fried foods, more baked or roasted meats.

This baked catfish recipe is my way of continuing to eat a fish I enjoy while being a bit more health conscious. But I still sometimes crave that good old fried food.

All those years ago, frying was aninexpensive and easy way to prepare the main meat course, so that’s what was done. I mean, for goodness sakes, people back then were busy!

We just think we’re busy these days. Laboring in the field from sunup to sundown or taking care of children and running a household a few decades in the past was a much more taxing existence than it is today.

But back then people could handle a more calorie-laden diet because of all the manual labor they did. Today, not so much.

So, even though I still love my fried foods and greatly enjoy them on occasion, I do look for ways to cook that are somewhat more healthful.

In thisrecipe for Baked Catfish, the fish is coated with a delicious blend of herbs and spices, then drizzled with butter and lemon juice and baked.

What a great change of pace from the usual fried catfish recipes! We really enjoy this method, andI’m happy to share it with you, too.

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

• Baked catfish is not only delicious, it’s healthy.
• The herb seasoning gives the fish a vibrant flavor
• It can be made from start to finish in 25 minutes!

🛒 Ingredient Notes

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• Catfish fillets (Either farm-raised or wild caught)
• Lemon, butter, salt, pepper
• Herbs (Thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, paprika, garlic powder)

One of the other great things about this recipe is that you don’t have to dirty many dishes. You can even line the baking pan with aluminum foil so no scrubbing up after you cook!

You just need two small bowls to mix the seasonings and butter as well as a baking sheet. I bet you have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now, so not a lot of shopping to do, either!

🦈 How to Make Baked Catfish

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the parsley, salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, basil and pepper in a small bowl to make the seasoning blend.
3. Place the fillets on a baking pan that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray. I line my pan with foil first because it makes it so much easier to clean.
4. Sprinkle the spice-herb seasoning mixture over both sides of the catfish fillets.
5. Add the melted butter, lemon juice, and garlic powder to a small bowl or measuring cup. Mix well to combine.
6. Drizzle the butter-lemon-garlic mixture over the fillets. Transfer the pan with the fillets to the oven.

Wilton Premium Non-Stick Baking Sheets

7. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

So, you can go two ways with sides. Option A is keeping the healthy low-carb theme going with roasted asparagus or leeks and a side salad with a classic vinaigrette. For dessert, try a crisp, refreshing watermelon and mint salad that will have your palette singing!

Or, try the slightly heavier Option B with my pan-fried zucchini, stick of butter rice, and a peach blueberry basil cobbler!

🔀 Variations

• To make a Cajun catfish version, add two teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to the herbs and spice mixture.
• Easily turn this into a catfish nugget recipe by cutting the fillets into 2 to 3-inch pieces before coating and baking them.

❓ Questions About Baked Catfish

📖 Recipe

🧾 More Fish and Seafood Recipes

• Pan Fried Fish with Red Pepper Sauce
• Simple Grilled Fish
• Seafood Stew
• Cilantro Lime Shrimp
• Shrimp and Grits
• Salmon Croquettes