Fried Catfish is a Southern favorite—crispy, golden, and full of flavor.
Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
- 1–1½ lbs catfish fillets
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the fish
Rinse the catfish fillets and pat them dry. - Soak
Place the fish in buttermilk for 10–15 minutes to help the coating stick and add flavor. - Make the coating
In a shallow dish, mix cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. - Coat the fish
Remove the fish from the buttermilk and dredge in the cornmeal mixture until well coated. - Heat the oil
Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C). - Fry
Fry catfish 3–5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. - Drain and serve
Place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Great Side Dishes
Fried catfish goes perfectly with:
- Coleslaw
- Hush puppies
- French fries
- Collard greens
- Cornbread
Tip: Adding a little Cajun seasoning to the cornmeal mix gives the catfish an extra flavorful kick. 🐟🍽️
