Fuel cells have substantial development potential for commercial energy generation applications. Adding an ionic conducting electrolyte to a cathode to make a composite cathode lowers the Thermal Expansion Coefficient (TEC), raises the Triple Phase Boundary (TPB) area, and enhances the electrochemical performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). In this review, the article presents the basic principles, criteria, and composite cathode development of SOFCs that operate SOFCs in the intermediate temperature ranges (600–800 °C). These composite cathodes improve the inter-component compatibility, Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR), and characteristics of mixed electronic-ionic conductors. In comparison with a single-phase cathode, composite material can reduce Polarization Resistance (Rp) by about 30–40% and improve maximum power density (MPD) by about 30–50%. PBCO-40SDC and SBCN-20SDC composites exhibit enhanced stability and maintain their electrochemical performance with polarization resistances of 0.008 Ω cm2 and 0.079 Ω cm2 when operating at temperature of 700 °C. •Recent methods in IT-SOFC composite cathode development were explored.•Properties of nine materials studied, including conductivity and stability.•PBCO-40SDC outperforms with low polarization resistance at 700 °C.•Noteworthy development: exsolution of catalytically active nanoparticles.•Comprehensive study on thermal, electrical, and catalytic properties.