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Crispy Southern Fried Catfish Recipe 🐟✨
If you’re craving a classic Southern comfort food, nothing hits the spot like crispy fried catfish. Perfectly seasoned, coated in a golden cornmeal crust, and fried to crunchy perfection, this dish is a true soul food favorite. Whether you serve it with hush puppies, coleslaw, French fries, or collard greens, fried catfish makes a hearty and satisfying meal that brings people together.
In this post, you’ll learn step-by-step how to make the best Southern fried catfish—from seasoning to frying—so every bite comes out perfectly crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
✔️ Crispy golden crust every time
✔️ Simple ingredients, big flavor
✔️ Perfect for family dinners, cookouts, or fish fries
✔️ Can be made with catfish or any white fish fillet
Ingredients You’ll Need 📝
- 4 catfish fillets (about 1–1.5 lbs total)
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp vinegar/lemon juice)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Step-by-Step Instructions 👩🍳
1. Prepare the Fish
- Rinse the catfish fillets and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
- Place them in a shallow dish and pour the buttermilk over the top. Let them soak for at least 20 minutes—this helps tenderize the fish and makes the coating stick better.
2. Make the Cornmeal Coating
- In a large bowl, mix together cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir until well combined.
3. Coat the Fish
- Remove the catfish from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
- Dredge each fillet in the seasoned cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly so it sticks.
- Place coated fish on a tray or rack for 5 minutes to set the coating.
4. Fry to Perfection
- Heat about 1 inch of oil in a cast-iron skillet or deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry catfish fillets in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan) for 3–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
Tips for the Best Fried Catfish 🔑
- Use fresh oil for clean flavor.
- Buttermilk soak is key for tenderness and flavor.
- Cornmeal = crunch – don’t skip it!
- Serve hot – fried catfish tastes best fresh out of the pan.
What to Serve with Fried Catfish 🍽️
Fried catfish is traditionally served with classic Southern sides like:
- Hush puppies
- Coleslaw
- French fries
- Collard greens
- Cornbread
- Pickles and tartar sauce
Final Thoughts 🌟
This crispy Southern fried catfish recipe is a true comfort food classic that never disappoints. With its crunchy coating and tender, flaky inside, it’s a dish that will make your kitchen smell amazing and your dinner table feel warm and inviting.
Next time you’re planning a family dinner, a summer fish fry, or just craving something satisfying, give this recipe a try—you’ll be going back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
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