Perfect Mississippi Oven Baked Catfish Recipe for Fish Lovers

Mississippi oven baked catfish brings Southern comfort right to your dinner table with its crispy, golden-brown exterior and tender, flaky meat.

Regional culinary traditions reimagine this humble fish into a mouthwatering masterpiece that celebrates simple ingredients and bold flavors.

Home cooks have long appreciated the versatility of this classic Southern dish, which requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum satisfaction.

Perfectly seasoned and baked to perfection, this recipe captures the essence of comfort food with its satisfying crunch and delicate texture.

Affordable and easy to prepare, catfish represents a staple protein that connects generations through shared meals and cherished memories.

The magic happens when carefully selected spices marry with fresh fish, creating a harmonious blend that dances on your palate.

Each bite promises a delightful experience that transports you to the heart of Southern hospitality.

Mississippi Oven Baked Catfish That’s Full of Flavor

• Savor Creamy Flavor Explosion: The butter sauce blends parmesan, Worcestershire, and Tabasco, creating a rich, tangy coating that transforms ordinary catfish into a gourmet experience.
• Master Quick Weeknight Cooking: This recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy families seeking a delicious, hassle-free dinner that doesn't compromise on taste.
• Customize with Ease: The simple preparation allows home cooks to adjust spice levels by tweaking Tabasco or adding green onions, making it adaptable to different taste preferences.
• Achieve Restaurant-Quality Results: Oven-baking ensures perfectly cooked, flaky catfish with a golden, crispy top, giving home chefs a professional-level dish without complicated techniques.

Baked Catfish Ingredients with Southern Twist

• Catfish Fillets: US farm-raised fish with mild, delicate flavor, best when fresh and sustainably sourced.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural taste of the catfish, providing balanced and subtle flavor depth.

• Parmesan Cheese, Mayonnaise, Softened Butter: Creamy base creating rich, tangy sauce with deep umami notes and smooth texture.
• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor adding brightness and subtle sharpness to the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Complex, savory condiment bringing depth and traditional Southern-style flavor profile.
• Tabasco Sauce: Signature hot sauce providing subtle heat and zesty kick to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Additional seasoning to balance and round out the sauce's overall taste.

How to Bake Catfish with a Mississippi Flair

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F. Grab a baking dish and line it with non-stick aluminum foil or give it a quick spray of cooking oil. Check that your dish can handle broiling if you want extra crispy edges.

Step 2: Whip Up Flavor Sauce

• Softened butter
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Worcestershire sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Tabasco sauce
• Chopped green onions
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend everything until you create a creamy, zesty sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Get Fishy

Take your catfish fillets and give them a gentle pat down with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Slide the fillets into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle both sides with salt and black pepper. Lavish the fillets with your flavor sauce, making sure every inch gets coated.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and let it bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the fish turns golden and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 5: Optional Crispy Finish

Want an extra crunch? Pop the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the sauce turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 6: Plate And Savor

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp salad. Enjoy your Southern-style seafood feast!

Tips for Juicy Baked Catfish You’ll Love

• Dry Thoroughly: Pat catfish fillets completely dry to prevent excess moisture, ensuring a crispy, golden exterior when baked.
• Sauce Coverage Technique: Use a spoon or brush to evenly distribute the butter sauce, guaranteeing maximum flavor in every bite.
• Freshness Matters: Select the freshest catfish fillets possible for the most delicate and tender texture.
• Temperature Check: Use a food thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 145°F for perfectly cooked fish.
• Herb Boost: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving to enhance the dish's aromatic profile and visual appeal.

Store and Reheat Mississippi Catfish Perfectly

• Refrigerate: Seal catfish in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the sauce separate to maintain texture.
• Reheat Oven: Warm fish at 275°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Drizzle reserved butter sauce over fish before reheating to restore moisture.
• Microwave Option: Reheat in short 30-second intervals, checking frequently to avoid overcooking. Add a small splash of water to prevent fish from becoming tough.

Foods That Go Well with Mississippi Baked Catfish

• Crisp White Wine Companion: Pair the buttery, spicy catfish with a crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. These light wines cut through the richness of the butter sauce and complement the fish's delicate flavor.
• Southern-Style Side Kick: Serve alongside creamy coleslaw or corn bread to enhance the dish's southern roots. These traditional sides add texture and balance the fish's zesty butter sauce.
• Zesty Citrus Refresh: Add a bright lemon wedge or orange slice to the plate. The citrus will lift the rich flavors and provide a tangy counterpoint to the creamy parmesan butter sauce.
• Cool Herbal Contrast: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro. These herbs introduce a clean, green note that brightens the entire dish and adds visual appeal.

Fresh Takes on Mississippi Catfish Recipes

• Spicy Cajun Catfish: Enhance the butter sauce with Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika for a bold, zesty flavor profile that brings Louisiana heat to your dish.
• Herb-Crusted Variation: Replace parmesan with a mix of fresh chopped herbs like dill, parsley, and chives, creating a lighter, more aromatic coating that complements the fish's delicate texture.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Catfish: Swap Worcestershire sauce with lemon juice, add minced garlic, and sprinkle feta cheese on top before baking, transforming the recipe with Mediterranean coastal flavors.
• Coconut Crunch Catfish: Incorporate shredded coconut into the butter sauce and top the fillets with toasted coconut flakes, adding a tropical crunch and subtle sweetness to the traditional recipe.

Mississippi Oven Baked Catfish Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mississippi oven baked catfish brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with a crispy, golden-brown crust and tender, flaky fish. Seasoned with a blend of spices and baked to perfection, this dish offers a healthier twist on classic Southern seafood that will satisfy your craving for home-style cooking.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 (6 ounces / 170 grams) catfish fillets (US farmed)

Seasonings:

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon Tabasco
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Sauce and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup softened butter
• 3 sliced green onions

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking dish with non-stick aluminum foil or a light cooking spray coating, ensuring the dish can withstand broiling if desired.
2. Create a luxurious butter sauce by whisking together softened butter, parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, Tabasco, chopped green onions, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-incorporated.
3. Carefully dry the catfish fillets using paper towels to remove excess moisture, then arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
4. Season both sides of the fillets with salt and black pepper, providing an even flavor distribution.
5. Generously spread the aromatic butter sauce over each fillet, ensuring complete and uniform coverage that will infuse the fish with rich, complex flavors.
6. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, watching for a golden exterior and a flaky texture that indicates perfect doneness.
7. For those seeking additional crispiness, carefully move the dish to the broiler and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and develop a beautiful brown finish.
8. Remove from the oven and let rest briefly, then adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
9. Plate immediately alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp salad to complement the delicate, seasoned catfish.

Notes

• Butter sauce creates a rich, tangy coating that locks in moisture and infuses each tender fillet with zesty Southern charm.
• Versatile recipe allows quick customization through broiling or baking, giving home cooks flexible preparation options without sacrificing taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 487
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 689 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 124 mg