Pan-Seared Cajun Catfish with Spiced Cornbread

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19

This Southern-inspired dish features tender pan-seared catfish fillets seasoned with bold Cajun spices, paired with moist, slightly sweet cornbread infused with jalapeños and cheddar. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, Cajun seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pieces, about 6 oz each catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 small, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño pepper
• 1/2 cup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese

The cast-iron skillet we’d sear this in → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar until evenly combined.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry mixture until just combined, then fold in 1 small finely chopped jalapeño and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
3. Step 3: While the cornbread bakes, pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
4. Step 4: Add the catfish fillets to the hot skillet and cook for 4 minutes per side until the crust is well browned and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Serve the pan-seared Cajun catfish alongside warm spiced cornbread slices for a hearty, flavorful meal.