Catfish is a versatile and delicious fish that can be cooked using various methods to suit your preferences and kitchen equipment. In this article, I’ll instruct you three popular methods for cooking catfish: in the oven, on the stove, and in an air fryer.
1. How To Cook Catfish in Oven
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets (6-8 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. This will create a flavorful seasoning mixture.
Place the catfish fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Brush the seasoned olive oil mixture over both sides of the catfish fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Bake the catfish in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Once cooked, remove the catfish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Serve the oven-baked catfish with lemon wedges on the side for a bright and tangy flavor.
2. How To Cook Catfish in Skillet (Fried Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets (6-8 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons of butter or cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning (or your preferred seafood seasoning)
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix together the Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the catfish fillets, pressing it gently to adhere.
Heat the butter or cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, carefully place the seasoned catfish fillets in the pan.
Cook the catfish for 4-5 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown and cooked through. The fish should be opaque and easily flake with a fork.
Once cooked, remove the catfish from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Serve the stovetop-cooked catfish with lemon wedges on the side to add a refreshing citrus element.
3. How To Cook Catfish in an Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets (6-8 ounces each)
- ½ cup of cornmeal
- ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- Cooking spray
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
In a shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix the ingredients well.
Dip each catfish fillet into the coating mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating. Shake off any excess coating.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Place the coated catfish fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fillets in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Spray the tops of the fillets with cooking spray to promote browning and crispiness.
Place the air fryer basket in the preheated air fryer and cook the catfish fillets for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip the fillets halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.
Once the catfish fillets are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes.
Serve the air-fried catfish fillets with lemon wedges on the side for a touch of citrus freshness.
With these recipes, I hope that you can enjoy delicious catfish dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. So, grab your preferred cooking equipment and get ready to cook up some mouthwatering catfish!
