fried catfish

Catfish fried in a tasty cornmeal batter, served with homemade tartar sauce.

Restaurant-Quality Fried Catfish

catfish

oil (vegetable, canola

cornmeal (yellow, not self-rising)

buttermilk

cayenne pepper ((red pepper, ground))

salt

black pepper

mayonnaise

relish (, (dill

onion

garlic powder

sugar

vinegar (or lemon)

Saok

Place fish in a large baking dish or plastic storage bag, pour in buttermilk; coat well; allow to sit for 10-minutes in refrigerator

Make

Meanwhile, make tartar sauce;After the tartar sauce is made, coat and cook the fish

Catfish Filet Preparation

Combine

In a large bowl, add cornmeal, salt, pepper and cayenne; stir with fork till blended

Heat

Using a cast-iron, or heavy bottom skillet, pour oil into skillet and heat to medium;&nbsp;

Dredge

While oil is heating, take a filet directly from the buttermilk and place it in the cornmeal; pat the cornmeal on the filet; coat it all over, twice; repeat with remaining filets

Check

Check your skillet; the oil needs to be around 312 - 350ºF; you can sprinkle a few pieces of cornmeal in the oil to see if it sizzles; if it does sizzle, the oil is ready

Place

Cooking in batches of two filets, place them in the hot oil; DO NOT MOVE THE FILETS until they&#039;ve cooked for 2 1/2 - 3 minutes on one side

After 2 1/2 -3 minutes, use tongs and flip the fish over and cook for an additional 3 minutes

Temperature

Use a thermometer to measure internal temperature; it should be 145ºF

Remove

Remove filets from oil and place on a paper towel

Repeat

Repeat until all filets are cooked and drained

Plate filets and serve with lemon and tartar sauce

Coating Preparation

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients; refrigerate until ready to serve

Tartar Sauce Preparation

These catfish fillets are absolutely delicious and super easy to make. Add in our wonderful coleslaw and hushpuppies and you have a great summer meal.

Fried Catfish Fillets

Milk

eggs

all-purpose flour

pepper

Place fillets in a 9 x 13 pan and cover with milk or buttermilk.  Let soak for about an hour in the refrigerator.  In a large bowl mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a smaller bowl whisk eggs until smooth.

Remove fish from milk and discard the milk.  Dip fillets in egg and then in flour mixture.  Make sure you have about 1/2 inch of oil in your skillet.  Fry on each side until golden brown; about 6 or 7 minutes.

Golden oven-fried catfish is perfectly crispy and loaded with flavor! This recipe features everything you love about classic southern fried catfish without all the extra fat and calories that come with deep frying.

Easy Southern Oven-Fried Catfish

catfish fillets (about 2 pounds)

yellow cornmeal

onion powder

smoked paprika (or regular sweet paprika)

mustard powder

cayenne pepper

buttermilk (whole

hot sauce (such

Olive oil cooking spray (or canola or vegetable oil cooking spray)

Rinse and pat the catfish filets dry with paper towels. Set them aside while you prepare the coating.

To a gallon zip-top bag, add the cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. Gently shake the ingredients in the bag to combine. Set the bag aside.

Add the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce to a large baking dish or pie plate and whisk the ingredients until combined and the eggs are completely mixed in.

Working in batches of two pieces of fish at a time, transfer the catfish fillets to the dish with the buttermilk mixture and coat both sides. Then place the fish in the bag with the cornmeal mixture and gently shake the bag to completely cover the catfish pieces in the breading.

Line the catfish up on the prepared sheet, being careful not to overlap the pieces of fish. Generously spray the tops of the catfish fillets with olive oil or canola oil cooking spray, making sure there are no dry spots left.

Transfer the fish to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Garnish the fish with chopped parsley if desired and serve with lemon wedges. Don't forget to serve this fish with New Orleans Remoulade or Mississippi Comeback Sauce for dipping!

Simple is best, and this Southern Fried Catfish is no exception. The easy dinner recipe only requires a handful of pantry staples and it&#039;s ready about 20 minutes!!!

Crispy Southern Fried Catfish

salt ((I use Lawry's brand))

milk

vegetable oil

butter

lemon parsley

Combine cornmeal, seasoned salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow dish.

Pour milk into a separate dish.

Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Dip a catfish fillet in the milk, and shake off any excess.

Transfer milk-soaked fish to the cornmeal mixture and gently roll to coat on both sides.

Repeat with remaining fillets.

Place fish in the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on each side (about 5-7 minutes per side). The fish will flake easily with a fork when it’s done.

Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook the fish in batches.  Don't overcrowd the skillet! Feel free to wipe out the pan and use additional butter/oil, as necessary, for subsequent batches.

Drain fish on paper towels.

Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and a lemon wedge, if desired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix7Q9yzdO2Y

Simple is best, and this Southern fried catfish is no exception. The easy dinner recipe only requires a handful of pantry staples, and it's ready in about 20 minutes. Pair the crispy pan fried fish with classic sides like cornbread, collard greens, coleslaw, or biscuits for an old-fashioned supper that everyone at the table will love!

Get the recipe: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/southern-fried-catfish/

Southern Fried Catfish is a staple in every Southern kitchen. You can’t beat freshly caught catfish filets, dredged in perfectly seasoned cornmeal breading and fried until the inside is perfectly tender and the outside is a crisp, golden brown.

Southern Fried Catfish

cornmeal

whole wheat flour

seasoning salt

lemon pepper seasoning

paprika

cayenne pepper ((optional))

Tabasco Sauce

lemon wedges

tartar sauce

Tabasco sauce

Combine the wet ingredients in a large bowl - whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and hot sauce together.

Now, soak the catfish fillets in the egg mixture. Make sure the fillets are fully coated. Let that sit while you mix up the dry ingredients.

In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients - flour, cornmeal, salt, paprika, pepper, and lemon pepper. (And cayenne if you are using it.)

Mix well to ensure an even distribution of seasoning.

Now, dredge the soaked fillets in the cornmeal mixture and make sure they are fully coated. Shake off any excess breading.

Place the fillets on a plate and cover. Let them sit in the refrigerator for 10 - 15 minutes while you heat your oil - this will help the breading stick to the fish.

Heat a deep fryer to 350°F.

When oil is hot, drop filets in and cook for 7 - 10 minutes - until the fillets are golden brown and the internal temperature is 340°F. (For thinner fillets, it can take less time so watch them - we cut them thick.)

Rest the cooked fillets on a wire cooling rack - not a towel - this will allow for the crispiest fish.

To Fry Catfish in a Deep Fryer

In a large pot or dutch oven, heat 3 to 4 inches of oil over medium heat. The oil should be hot enough when you can splash water on it and it sputters back at you. If you can smell the oil, it is likely too hot. (If the oil is too cold, the breading will absorb the oil and the fish will be soggy. EW! Too hot and the outside will cook before the inside.)

Fry the fillets in small batches so that you don&#39;t crowd the oil - if you put too much fish in the oil at one time, it will lower the temperature and the fish won&#39;t cook.

Cook for 7 - 10 minutes - until the fillets are golden brown and the internal temperature is 340°F. (For thinner fillets, it can take less time so watch them - we cut them thick.)

Serve and enjoy!

To Fry Catfish on the Stove

https://embed.mediavine.com/videos/nrg0h4jiehn3b1fwn3ow

Classic southern-style fried catfish in the air fryer!

Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish

(6-8 ounce) catfish fillets (about 1 pound)

buttermilk, shaken

hot sauce

yellow cornmeal (fine grind for breading)

all purpose flour

Cajun seasoning (preferably unsalted blend)

Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper

Extra virgin olive oil spray (comes in a spray can)

Tartar sauce, hot sauce, lemon wedges

Place buttermilk in large shallow dish or pie plate, add a few shakes of hot sauce and mix to combine. Add catfish fillets and turn to coat. Let soak for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make seasoned dredge. In another large tray or pie plate, add the cornmeal, flour and seasonings, a few grinds of black pepper and combine well with a fork or whisk.

Remove catfish from buttermilk to a plate, shaking off excess. Lightly pat dry and season with a sprinkle of salt. Place catfish one at a time in seasoned cornmeal mixture and coat well on both sides. Shake off excess and place on a plate.

Preheat air fryer at 400º.

Open and spray basket evenly with olive oil spray. Lay catfish fillets in basket, one or two depending on size, spritz catfish evenly on top with olive oil spray. Close basket and air fry at 400º for 8 minutes.

Open basket and carefully flip fish over with spatula, air fry for another 8 minutes.

Open basket and carefully flip fish one more time. Air fry another 2 to 4 minutes until crispy and golden brown.

Serve immediately with tartar sauce, hot sauce and lemon wedges.

The crispy exterior breading of this Southern Fried Catfish is perfectly seasoned with tender, delicious fried fish underneath. It can be ready in under 30 minutes and just as good as going to a fish fry!

Fried Catfish

farm-raised catfish filets, (thawed if previously frozen (4-6 filets))

Peanut oil or vegetable oil, (for frying)

Sprinkle the catfish filets with kosher salt on both sides. Place the seasoned filets in a shallow dish or resealable bag and cover with the buttermilk, turning to coat. Set aside to soak while preparing the rest of the ingredients and oil, or transfer to the fridge for up to 8 hours to marinate.

Combine cornmeal, flour, seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large resealable ziplock bag. Whisk or toss to evenly disperse spices.

Heat 1/2 to 1 inch of oil in a large cast iron pan or skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 to 365 degrees F.

Remove the catfish from the buttermilk soak 1-2 pieces at a time, letting excess buttermilk drip off. Transfer the catfish pieces to the bag of seasoned cornmeal and flour, seal, and toss to coat well. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining fish pieces and coating.

Carefully add catfish pieces to the hot oil, working in batches so as not to crowd the pan. Fry for 4-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the middle. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets. Be sure to watch the heat as the fish fries so you can adjust up or down to keep the oil temp in the 350 to 365 degree F range as much as possible.

Transfer the fried catfish to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack and place in a warm oven (225 degrees F) while frying the remaining catfish pieces.

Serve with coleslaw, hush puppies, french fries, and lemon wedges or other sides.

I made this for supper and it was awesome!  As a life-long lover of fried catfish, I’d definitely make this again.  I followed the recipe as written, except I made the fish into nuggets, for ultimate cornmeal coverage.  
Thanks!

This recipe was so reassuring for a first timer. I've recently started eating fish and my fiance loves it so I wanted to try this for him. It was so much easier than I expected. He did recommend just a little more seasoning next time, but he still really enjoyed it! Maybe I will add some cajun seasoning, he's used to more of a Louisiana style. Will be making again though without a doubt. I've tried chicken recipes before with buttermilk baths and then breading that went terribly wrong, so glad this one was perfect!

I haven't made it by your recipe yet, but that sounds very much like what I tried before. I'm anxious to use your recipe. I was just 'winging it' before! 
I did some homework about where to get my fish. It seems that there is a consensus that MS catfish farms are the best. I'm an AL girl and now live in TN. I'm not sure what or where is the best way to obtain this fish. Do you have any names, contact info, or suggestions?
Thanks!

I made this for my hubby who has some Alabama roots and he raved about it, and this non-fish girl LOVED IT! And those hush puppies, mmmhhh!

Wonderfully crisp! We made this into a sandwich with coleslaw on top. Great recipe!

This was so easy to make at home, thanks for all the tips! The buttermilk gives such a nice flavor.

My easy Southern Fried Catfish recipe is so good. It features tender fish coated in a perfectly seasoned, crispy fried cornmeal coating. Yum!

catfish fillets

½ tsp pepper

oil,

Prepare your dredging stations. In a shallow bowl,...

Prepare your dredging stations. In a shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. In another mix together cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne and garlic powder.

Preheat about ½ inch oil to 350°F in...

Preheat about ½ inch oil to 350°F in a cast iron skillet or electric skillet.

Season the catfish fillets with salt and pepper....

Season the catfish fillets with salt and pepper. Working in batches (you will probably only be able to fit two fillets in the skillet at a time) dredge catfish first in the buttermilk mixture, followed by the cornmeal mixture.

Fry dredged catfish for 2-3 minutes per side,...

Fry dredged catfish for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.

Remove to a wire rack or paper towel...

Remove to a wire rack or paper towel lined plate to drain.

Serve with tartar sauce or remoulade sauce, along...

Serve with tartar sauce or remoulade sauce, along with lemon wedges.

Top 8 fried catfish recipes from across the web

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Top Tags

Restaurant-Quality Fried Catfish

Fried Catfish Fillets

Easy Southern Oven-Fried Catfish

Crispy Southern Fried Catfish

Southern Fried Catfish

Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish

Fried Catfish

Fried Catfish

Top 8 fried catfish recipes from across the web

The most viewed fried catfish recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Restaurant-Quality Fried Catfish

Fried Catfish Fillets

Easy Southern Oven-Fried Catfish

Crispy Southern Fried Catfish

Southern Fried Catfish

Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish

Fried Catfish

Fried Catfish

The most viewed fried catfish recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine