Oven Fried Catfish

We are clearing out some space in the freezer and I found some fish that we got from my dad and brother. I’m not so sure it’s catfish, it’s either that or gar, but we wanted to cook up some fried fish. I thought I would try oven frying to make it a little more healthy, but nothing makes it taste as good as it does in the fryer. The flavor was ok, but needless to say my fish didn’t really look as crispy as hers did.

Paula’s fish:

Oven Fried Catfish

(Adapted from Paula Deen)

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1 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons hot sauce

4 catfish fillets

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup flour

1 cup yellow corn meal

2 teaspoons crab boil seasoning, preferred brand: Old Bay

Season the catfish filets on both sides with salt and pepper. Mix together buttermilk and hot sauce in a 8x8 casserole dish. Add the catfish fillet, making sure they’re completely covered by the liquid. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 475 degrees.

Coat a sheet tray with the olive oil. Add to the oven and heat while you prep the remaining ingredients.

Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, and crab boil in another casserole dish.

Remove the catfish from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, and dredge on both sides with the cornmeal mixture.

Transfer to the hot baking dish. Repeat with the 3 remaining fillets.

Bake for 6 minutes, then carefully flip the catfish, and continue cooking for 5 minutes more, or until cooked through and golden.