Make these Baked Catfish Nuggets as a healthy and easy baked version of a Southern favorite. Made with just 5 ingredients in 30 minutes!
Baked Catfish Nuggets
Fact: Kids will eat anything you call “nugget.”
It’s weird, but true. At least at my house. That includes these Baked Catfish Nuggets which are super easy to make, with just 5 ingredients.
This recipe takes your traditional Southern comfort food cornmeal catfish and gives it a healthy twist by baking it in the oven. I love this method because it’s quicker and so much less messy (frying oil is always a pain to clean up!)
Plus, they’re healthy and gluten and dairy free. You can make them in just 30 minutes! Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
If you’re looking for a fried version, we have that here too!
What to Serve with Baked Catfish Nuggets
Being a sauce-girl, I think it’s first and most important to serve it with the perfect sauce. Mr. Gracious will insist that you serve catfish with ketchup, but I think he might be in the minority.
If you’re not weird like Mr. Gracious, you can try this amazing and totally easy Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe that will go with your Baked Catfish Nuggets perfectly.
Our go-to side dish for almost all fish dishes is this Creamy Southern Coleslaw. It’s creamy but simple and fresh and adds the perfect crunch to go with succulent fish.
Most people think “fish and chips,” so another easy way to go is a potato any way. Baked potato, mashed potatoes, potato wedges,… oh my! We like these Garlic Chive Baked Fries.
Corn on the cob is an easy fast way to go for a carb, if you’d rather skip the potato.
To finish off the meal, we like a nice big fresh fruit salad.
How to Make Baked Catfish Nuggets
Step 1: In a shallow dish, mix together cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
Step 2: Place a catfish nugget in the bowl. Coat entirely with cornmeal mixture. Remove to a lightly greased baking sheet (line with foil for less clean up!) Repeat for remaining catfish.
Step 3: Bake at 400° for 17-20 minutes, until catfish is cooked through, golden, and flaky.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Baked Catfish Nuggets
Pro Tips
- Can another fish be substituted? Absolutely. The easiest ones to use in place of catfish are tilapia or cod.
- Why is there no egg in this recipe? I find that flour dredging and egg dipping in this recipe is unnecessary and just creates extra mess and extra work. The cornmeal mixture coats the fish really well without any dredging.
- Want to fry your catfish nuggets? Find out here in this yummy fried catfish nuggets recipe.
- What goes with baked catfish nuggets? Definitely some creamy southern coleslaw and a potato or grain of your choice. Try baked french fries, rice, or quinoa!
More Catfish Recipes You’ll Love
- Fried Catfish Nuggets – try the fried version!
- Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish – fresh and zesty!
- Southern Fried Catfish – The Classic
- Beer Battered Catfish – personal favorite!
Baked Catfish Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound catfish nuggets
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix together cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Place a catfish nugget in the cornmeal dish. Coat completely. Remove to a buttered and lined cookie tray. Repeat for remaining fish.
- Bake at 400° for 17-20 minutes, until fish is cooked through, golden, and flaky.
Notes
- This recipe is gluten free and dairy free! No substitutions necessary!
- Can another fish be substituted? Absolutely, just make sure to cut it into “nugget-sized” pieces. The easiest ones to use in place of catfish are tilapia or cod.
- Why is there no egg in this recipe? I find that flour dredging and egg dipping in this recipe is unnecessary and just creates extra mess and extra work. The cornmeal mixture coats the fish really well without any dredging.
- Want to fry your catfish nuggets? Find out here in this yummy fried catfish nuggets recipe.
- What goes with baked catfish nuggets? Definitely some creamy southern coleslaw and a potato or grain of your choice. Try baked french fries, rice, or quinoa!
Nutrition
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Eat this all the time! Yum!
I was looking for an awesome recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made this baked catfish nuggets deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this!
Yay! Glad you loved it!
This was a great alternative to fried! came out great. Have you tried this method with shrimp?
Sounds great. Could I use Wondra flour instead of cornmeal?
No, I don’t recommend making that substitution.
I made this according to your recipe. Wonderful! I am going to make this again, using fillets. Thank you for sharing a fantastic recipe:0
Love it! Very quick, usually always have all of the ingredients in the pantry. Will make this again.
I’m glad you loved it!