Baked Catfish with Herbs - catfish fillets topped with an herb blend, butter, and lemon and baked until golden. Quick and easy weeknight dinner.
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 fish. I could go on and on.
I 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 I see so often referenced these days.
My daddy loved a fried t-bone steak. Yes, deep fried. Mama would salt and pepper a t-bone, dredge it in flour and ease it down into hot oil in a black iron skillet to cook.
It came out golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside and juicy and moist on the inside. Hmmm...I hadn't thought of that in years until I started writing this.
Less Frying, More Baking and Roasting
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. But I still sometimes crave that good old fried food.
All those years ago frying was an inexpensive 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 this recipe 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! We really enjoy this recipe, and I'm happy to share it with you, too.
How to Make Baked Catfish:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the parsley, salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, basil and pepper in a small bowl.
Sprinkle the spice-herb mixture over both sides of the catfish fillets. Place the fillets in a 9x13 baking pan that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray. I also lined my pan with foil just because it makes it so much easier to clean.
Add the melted butter, lemon juice, and garlic powder to a small bowl. Mix well to combine.
Drizzle the butter-lemon-garlic mixture over the fillets.
Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.
Enjoy!
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Baked Catfish with Herbs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 24 ounces catfish fillets (4 fillets, approx. 6 ounces each)
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the parsley, salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, basil and pepper in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle over both sides of catfish fillets.
- Place the fillets in a 9x13 baking pan that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the melted butter, lemon juice and garlic powder to a small bowl. Mix well to combine.
- Drizzle the butter-lemon-garlic mixture over the fillets.
- Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
Have you tried this recipe? I'd love for you to give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card and/or in the comments section further down.
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More Baked Fish Recipes ...
- Herb Baked Catfish from AllRecipes
- Baked Fish with Lemon and Bread Crumbs from Leite's Culinaria
- Baked Cod with Ritz Cracker Topping from Simply Recipes
- Oven Baked Fish Sticks from Life's Ambrosia
- Potato Chip Crusted Fish and Chips from Half Baked Harvest
Amanda Wright says
I'm gonna use frozen catfish that we caught earlier can I put in on a broiler to let the extra liquid drain
Lana Stuart says
It should work. I would thaw it and let it drain really well. Then pat it dry with paper towels, too.
Mama boys says
Lana thank you for this the best ale catfish made 2 weeks ago and I make again for supper tonight 10 stars rating from me
Lana Stuart says
My pleasure! I'm so glad to know that you enjoyed it!
Joanie Mills says
This is absolutely delicious! I cook it twice a week. So easy! Five stars!
Lana Stuart says
Thanks, Joanie!
Larry Haack says
Thanks for sharing....my favorite recipe for preparing fish
Many Thanks !
Lana Stuart says
My pleasure! I'm glad you like it :-)
Tenessia Gomillia says
Yasssssss!!!! This bake fish smells good and look good 👌.Can't wait to try it my daughter even said ,"wow mom it looks good!!!. Only if I could post a picture 😜🖼️ thank you again for recipe!!!
Lana Stuart says
I'm so glad to know that you enjoyed the recipe! It does smell wonderful cooking, doesn't it?
Suzi Hannan says
I've shared this outstanding recipe with several cooking friends and they all love it for its flavor and ease. We've used the same mix with cod and tilapia. Probably any mild fish would be enhanced with this recipe.
Lana Stuart says
I'm happy to know that you and your friends enjoy the recipe, Suzi! It's a long time favorite of ours, too.
Constance Melby says
We did not care for this. There was too much liquid in the pan and the fish was almost poached. We may not have had tasty fish to be fair, but we will not use this recipe again.
Lana Stuart says
That's interesting. The only "liquid" called for in the recipe is a little lemon juice and melted butter. There shouldn't have been excess liquid in the pan unless maybe you used frozen fish? They contain a huge amount of water usually.
Missy says
This is my go-to catfish recipe. My whole family loves it. Yum yum.
Lana Stuart says
So glad you like it, Missy! It's a favorite of mine, too.
John says
This recipe is easy and very good. The oregano gave it a taste of Greek seasoning. Fresh lemon is a must.
Lana Stuart says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Holly says
I have made this delicious dish several times now, precisely as directed, yet with dried herbs. It is simply wonderful. Being from Louisiana, we catch a lot of catfish and breading and frying gets old..... And fattening! As someone about to embark on a low carb diet, it is a blessing to find a fish recipe that fits the bill !
Lana Stuart says
I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe, Hollly! It's a favorite here as well.