Oven Fried Catfish with Dill Tartar Sauce

Delight your taste buds with this irresistible Oven Fried Catfish with Dill Tartar Sauce—a healthier spin on a Southern classic. This recipe features tender catfish fillets marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then coated in a crispy blend of yellow cornmeal and panko breadcrumbs, seasoned with a flavorful mix of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Baked to golden perfection, the fish achieves a satisfying crunch without the mess of deep frying. Paired with a creamy homemade dill tartar sauce bursting with the tangy flavors of pickles, fresh dill, lemon juice, and capers, this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering. Quick to make in just 40 minutes, this easy, oven-baked seafood recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it hot with a side of coleslaw or roasted veggies for a complete meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces catfish fillets
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper
• 0 olive oil spray
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons dill pickle, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon capers, chopped
• 0.25 teaspoon salt (for tartar sauce)
• 0.25 teaspoon pepper (for tartar sauce)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray it with olive oil spray.

Step 2

In a shallow dish, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Submerge the catfish fillets in the mixture and let them marinate while you prepare the coating.

Step 3

In another shallow dish, mix together the cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 4

Remove each catfish fillet from the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off, and dredge it in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating. Place each coated fillet onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

Lightly spray the tops of the fillets with olive oil spray to help with browning.

Step 6

Bake the catfish in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden and crisp, and the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Step 7

While the fish is baking, prepare the dill tartar sauce. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, finely chopped dill pickle, fresh dill, lemon juice, chopped capers, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 8

Once the catfish is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 2-3 minutes.

Step 9

Serve the oven-fried catfish hot with the dill tartar sauce on the side, along with optional lemon wedges for garnish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1000.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2122.0

Total Fat 113.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 424.5mg	0%
Sodium 4301.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 181.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.9g	0%
Total Sugars 15.5g
Protein 97.7g	0%

Vitamin D 126.9IU	0%
Calcium 363.3mg	0%
Iron 7.4mg	0%
Potassium 1899.5mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.8%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 33.9%