Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread
Golden pan-fried catfish fillets seasoned with Cajun spices, served alongside moist, slightly sweet cornbread infused with sharp cheddar cheese. This american southern-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets (about 6 oz each) catfish fillets
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 4 tbsp (divided) unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1 tsp salt until combined. In a separate small bowl, beat 1 large egg with 1 cup buttermilk and 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined, then fold in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Transfer batter to a greased 8-inch square baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 2: While cornbread bakes, pat 4 catfish fillets dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Dredge each fillet in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Step 3: Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 350°F). Carefully add catfish fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the crust is golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove fish and drain on paper towels.
- Step 4: Serve the hot pan-fried catfish alongside slices of warm cheddar cornbread, garnished with lemon wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornmeal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread?
American Southern seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
