Cajun Blackened Catfish Bold Flavor (Print)

Smoky, spicy blackened catfish with aromatic Cajun spices, seared to crispy perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 catfish fillets (about 5 oz each), skinless
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Cajun Spice Blend

04 - 2 teaspoons paprika (smoked or sweet)
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
10 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ To Serve

12 - Lemon wedges
13 - Fresh chopped parsley (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine all Cajun spice blend ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly until uniform.
02 - Pat catfish fillets completely dry with paper towels. Brush both sides generously with melted butter.
03 - Coat each fillet generously with the Cajun spice blend, pressing firmly to adhere the seasoning to the fish surface.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke.
05 - Add fillets to the hot pan, cooking in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding. Sear for 3–4 minutes per side until deeply blackened and fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
06 - Transfer catfish to serving plates, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and accompany with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice crust creates layers of flavor that make store bought seasoning blends forgettable
  • You get restaurant quality results with minimal effort and ingredients you probably already have
02 -
  • The blackened spices will create quite a bit of smoke, so turn on your ventilation fan early and consider opening a window
  • A cast iron skillet is essential because it holds and distributes the intense heat needed for proper blackening
03 -
  • Room temperature fish will cook more evenly and develop a better crust than cold from the fridge
  • If your spice blend starts burning before the fish is done, lower the heat slightly and finish in a 400 degree oven for a few minutes

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