Oven Fried Catfish Nuggets
Crispy, golden, and packed with Southern-inspired flavor, these Oven Fried Catfish Nuggets are the perfect healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried fish. Tender catfish fillets are marinated in a zesty buttermilk and hot sauce mixture, then coated in a seasoned blend of yellow cornmeal, flour, and bold spices like paprika and cayenne for an irresistible crunch. Baked to perfection at 400°F, these nuggets come out deliciously crispy without the need for excess oil, thanks to a light mist of cooking spray. Ready in just 35 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner, game-day snack, or crowd-pleasing appetizer. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce — from classic tartar to spicy mayo — for a dish that’s as versatile as it is flavorful. Perfect for seafood lovers, kid-approved, and packed with comfort food vibes, these catfish nuggets will be a hit at your table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds catfish fillets
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- as needed cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the fillets into bite-sized nugget pieces, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches each.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the catfish pieces to the bowl, ensuring they are fully submerged. Let the catfish marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the coating.
In a shallow dish, combine the yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the breading mixture.
Remove a few catfish nuggets at a time from the buttermilk, allowing the excess liquid to drip off. Dredge the nuggets in the cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating.
Place the coated nuggets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each piece. Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.
Bake the catfish nuggets in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip each nugget over and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. The fish should flake easily with a fork.
Remove from the oven and let the nuggets cool for 2–3 minutes. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce, ranch dressing, or spicy mayo.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
400 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.7 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.3 g | 12% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 97 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 446 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46.3 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 35.3 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.3 mcg | 42% | |
| Calcium | 104 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 714 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
