I love this recipe because baking is much easier than deep-frying, and the result is crispy and delicious. I enjoy catfish’s delicate, white flesh. When I eat out, I enjoy it fried. But at home, I bake it. It’s much easier for me as a cook to bake than deep-fry. I recently moved to Memphis, Tennessee. It’s an interesting place that slowly grows on you. Marc Cohn was correct when he wrote in his song Walking in Memphis, “They’ve got catfish on the table.” We sure do!
Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe Card
Almond meal: Blanched almond flour works, too. If you don’t mind the added carbs, you can use the same amount of breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free). To season: I use kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. Butter: I use it for dipping the fish fillets before coating them in the almond meal. I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be great. Avocado oil spray: I use it to spray the fish before placing it in the oven. It helps prevent it from drying out in the oven. Catfish fillets: I use skinless filets. Try to get similar-sized fish pieces if you can.
Your first step is to mix the almond meal, salt, pepper, and spices in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, melt the butter. Place the coated fillets on a greased roasting rack. Spray them with oil. Bake the fish for about 15 minutes in a 450°F oven until crisp and golden on the outside and tender and opaque inside. I solved the problem by slicing the thick fillet into two thinner ones, as shown in the photo below. Another option is to leave the thick filet as is and cook it for a longer time. It should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Baked catfish is also excellent with steamed vegetables such as steamed asparagus, steamed broccoli, and steamed cabbage. Today, I served it with roasted Brussels sprouts (They are whole because I roasted them from frozen): It’s best to reheat the leftovers uncovered in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through, but microwaving them gently works too.
