Baked Catfish Bites

Oven-fried catfish bites are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside!

They are perfectly seasoned and so fun to eat!

I was going to start this post off with a joke about how catfish are fish with an identity crisis, but that joke isn’t funny. To be honest, I’ve only thought of catfish in two ways: alive or frying in a cast-iron skillet. I’ve pigeon-holed catfish.

I picture catfish as the kind of fish big burly guys catch when they are camping alone in the wilderness. They scale their catch and fry it up in their primitive cast iron skillets.

Catfish are way more than survival food for big burly men! They are actually extremely versatile. You can fry them, blacken them, grill them as is or in packets, you can crust them, and add them to any sort of soup or stew.

They have the ability to absorb so much flavor. Catfish is a firm fish that can stand up to a variety of cooking methods and they are leaner than you might think.

I had the pleasure of indulging in fried catfish bites during a recent trip to Tennessee. Those little fish nuggets were out of this world. They were heavily seasoned and fried to a deep golden brown. After my very first bite, I knew I’d have to try to make my own.

I am super happy with my own catfish recipe. The catfish image that I’ve created in my head has been erased. These simple baked catfish bites completely change catfish for me!

What Do I Need To Make These Oven-Fried Catfish?

• Fresh catfish fillets – bite-sized pieces
• All-purpose flour
• Paprika
• Chipotle powder
• Black pepper
• Garlic salt
• Onion powder
• Eggs
• Cornmeal
• Panko – Japanese style bread crumbs

For the sauce

• Mayo
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Bowls
• Baking sheet

How To Make These Oven-Fried Catfish Nuggets?

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray and set aside.
2. Cut catfish into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a bowl, combine flour, paprika, chipotle powder, pepper, salt, and onion powder. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and water. In a third bowl, combine cornmeal and panko bread crumbs.
4. Working in batches, toss catfish with flour. Dredge fish into eggs and then press into cornmeal mixture. Place coated fish on a prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake fish for 12 minutes, turn fish over, and bake an additional 12 minutes or until crispy.
6. For the sauce: combine mayo through lemon juice in a bowl, stir.

How Do You Know When Catfish Is Done?

Catfish, like most fish, will tell you when it is ready. If any fish flakes easily when touched with a fork it is ready for you to eat!

How To Cook Catfish In The Air Fryer?

Prepare the catfish as directed. Heat your air fryer to 375 degrees. The catfish bites will only take about 7-8 minutes to crisp up.

What To Serve With Oven-Fried Catfish?

I serve these catfish bites with a very simple aioli. An aioli is often made with a few ingredients like mayo, lemon juice. You can easily season this base with any spice or flavoring.

Serve These Baked Catfish Bites With:

Buffalo Sauce

BBQ Sauce

Ranch Dressing

Blue Cheese Dressing

Tartar Sauce

What Pairs Well With Catfish Bites?

These fish nuggets go with almost anything! But some of my favorite side dishes are Black Bean Corn and Avocado Salad, Easy Refrigerator Pickles, Dill Pickle Pasta Salad and

BLT Tortellini Salad!

If you like these baked catfish, then you will love:

Breaded Shrimp Sushi Bowl, Grilled Tilapia, and this amazing Southern Fried Catfish!!

Continue to Content

Yield: 8

Oven-Fried Catfish Bites

Print

Seasoned catfish is lightly baked in the oven and served with a simple remoulade!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• For the fish
• 1 1/2 lbs fresh catfish cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 3/4 cup panko
• For the sauce
• 1 cup mayo
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non stick spray and set aside.
2. Cut catfish into bite sized pieces.
3. In a bowl, combine flour, paprika, chipotle powder, pepper, salt and onion powder. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and water. In a third bowl, combine cornmeal and panko bread crumbs.
4. Working in batches, toss catfish with flour. Dredge fish into eggs and then press into cornmeal mixture. Place coated fish on prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake fish for 12 minutes, turn fish over and bake an additional 12 minute or until crispy.
6. For the sauce: combine mayo through lemon juice in a bowl, stir.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 440Total Fat 29gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 114mgSodium 422mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 2gSugar 1gProtein 21g

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