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Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish

Aug 14, 2023 · 11 Comments

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Collage with a cornmeal coated lemon pepper baked catfish filet on a plate by a lemon and creamy coleslaw on top, a sheet pan with lemon pepper baked catfish with lemon wedges on bottom, and the words "Baked Lemon Pepper Catfish" in the center.

Zesty Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish is a healthy yet delicious dish featuring flaky catfish in a crispy lemon-pepper cornmeal breading. It's quick and easy to make with just 5 ingredients in just 30 minutes.

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish on a black plate with a lemon wedge and creamy coleslaw.

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish is an oven-baked version of a southern classic. It features flaky catfish in a crispy cornmeal coating and is baked in the oven to crispy, golden perfection.

This dish is easy to make with just 5 ingredients in 30 minutes! Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish is a healthy yet delicious fish dish packed with zesty, vibrant flavor.

What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish is a super versatile main course that will go well with lots of sides. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

  • Creamy coleslaw
  • Cornbread
  • Hush puppies
  • Rice
  • Tartar sauce
  • Deviled Egg Potato Salad
  • Biscuits
  • French Fries
  • Fresh garden salad
  • Pasta
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Baked Beans
Lemon pepper baked catfish filets on a baking sheet with lemon wedges and fresh parsley sprinkled on top.

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish Recipe Tips and Variations

  • Extra crispy: To make your catfish even crispier, place a cooling rack (like for baking) on the baking sheet. Then place your coated catfish on it to bake. This will lift the catfish off the bottom of the baking sheet so that it can get crispy on all sides.
  • Seasoning: You can omit the lemon pepper seasoning if that's not your thing, or you can substitute it with something like Cajun or Creole seasoning.
  • Catfish: If you are not a fan of catfish or don't have enough on hand, you can use a different white flaky fish such as tilapia, haddock, or cod.

More Southern Seafood Recipes You'll Love

  • Beer Battered Catfish - catfish tossed in a zesty beer battered and fried to golden, crispy perfection.
  • Salmon Croquettes - crispy on the outside and warm and tender on the inside, these salmon croquettes are easy to make
  • Southern Pan-Fried Catfish - cornmeal coated catfish lightly fried in a pan for the classic southern catfish dish.
  • Shrimp Etouffee - juicy shrimp in a rich, buttery sauce seasoned with onion, celery, and bell pepper.
  • Pastalaya - a Creole jambalaya pasta with juicy shrimp, tender chicken, and savory sausage, all tossed together in perfectly seasoned noodles for an authentic Creole dish.

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish Video

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish on a black plate with a lemon wedge and creamy coleslaw.

Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish

Zesty Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish is a healthy yet delicious dish featuring flaky catfish in a crispy lemon-pepper cornmeal breading. It's quick and easy to make with just 5 ingredients in just 30 minutes.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 189kcal
Author: Michelle
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Ingredients

  • 4 catfish fillets (about 1 pound)
  • ยฝ cup cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Pepper seasoning
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400ยฐF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a shallow dish, mix together cornmeal, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
  • Place a catfish fillet in the cornmeal dish. Coat completely. Remove to a lined baking sheet. Repeat for remaining fish.
  • Bake at 400ยฐF for 20-25 min, until fish is cooked through, golden, and flaky.

Notes

  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat leftover fish in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer for the crispiest texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 341mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
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UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in May 2017. It was updated with new pictures, video, and tips and republished in August 2023.

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Dinner, Recipes, Seafood Catfish Recipe, Dinner Recipe, Easy Dinner Recipe, Easy Recipe, Fish Recipe, Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish Recipe, Seafood Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynn's says

    April 10, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    Just breaded with corn meal and flour and spices. Tried once before and I really enjoyed catfish.

    Reply
  2. Angela J. says

    January 21, 2022 at 3:44 pm

    This is my second time making this dish and it is absolutely delicious and easy to make. The only thing is if your baking more fish then the recipe have, double your ingredients. This is my go to recipe for lemon pepper baked fish. Thanks The Gracious Wife.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      January 22, 2022 at 10:53 am

      Love it! Was just pulling this recipe up to make dinner for tonight. So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Cindy Parks says

    October 31, 2022 at 10:34 am

    Made as suggested. The fish was light and tasted great baked with the corn meal and few herbs. I liked too that it did'nt take long. My husband loved it๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ‘

    Reply
  4. Cindy Parks says

    October 31, 2022 at 10:39 am

    Made this recipe as suggested. It tasted light baked with the cornmeal and few herbs.

    Reply
  5. Chahinez says

    December 13, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    This was such an amazing recipe! Thank you

    Reply
  6. Kathryn says

    December 13, 2023 at 5:02 pm

    This was my first time having cat fish and it was delicious! Loved the flavor and it was baked perfectly.

    Reply
  7. Kathleen says

    December 13, 2023 at 6:23 pm

    This lemon pepper baked catfish looks crispy and delicious. I really appreciate your trick to make sure the fish gets crispy all over. I will definitely be trying this out.

    Reply
  8. Alison Corey says

    December 13, 2023 at 6:30 pm

    This dish is a culinary masterpiece! The flavors meld together in such a delightful way. It's so tasty; I'm already planning to share the recipe with friends.

    Reply
  9. Alina G Cruz. says

    February 12, 2024 at 1:09 pm

    2 thumbs up, yummy.

    Reply
  10. Brody says

    May 21, 2025 at 7:29 pm

    Had to cook for a bit longer but everyone, including myself, loved it. Thank you.

    Reply

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