Follow this quick and easy recipe for fresh Baked Catfish fillets topped with herbs, butter, and lemon. A perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family will love, ready in under 30 minutes!
If you grew up in the South, catfish is more than just a meal. It’s part of the heritage. We eat it just about any way you can think of. Fried, grilled, blackened, or stewed. But this easy baked catfish recipe is one I use time and time again.
This recipe is perfect for days when you want something wholesome, light, and fast. It has a buttery topping with just the right seasonings. These fillets turn out flaky, tender, and full of flavor with no frying. If you’re new to cooking catfish or just looking for a simple way to enjoy it, this one’s for you.
Here in the South, one thing we love is fresh catfish! And while my first instinct may be to fry it, baking catfish is really just as delicious.
I’m just going to say this: I love fried food. There. I’ve said it and I meant it, too. There’s just not much better in this world to me than a perfectly cooked piece of fried chicken. Or country fried steak. Or fried catfish. I could go on and on.
That having been said, I also know that deep frying isn’t the most healthful way to cook. Which really stinks because it tastes so good!
I also realize that part of my love of fried food is cultural. When I was growing up, an everyday meal consisted of some kind of meat —more often than not fried —accompanied by two or three vegetables and bread. The proverbial “meat and three” that you often see in more rural areas.
— This post was originally published on January 21, 2011. It has been updated with new photos and more details on cooking times.
