Description
Fried catfish is a Southern classic that delights the senses with its crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family gatherings or summer barbecues, offering a taste of nostalgia in every bite. With just the right amount of seasoning and a golden crust, fried catfish is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving more. Discover how simple it is to create this mouthwatering dish that embodies comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb catfish fillets (fresh or wild-caught)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (unbleached)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Soak the catfish fillets in buttermilk for at least 1 hour to ensure moisture.
- In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika until well combined.
- Remove fillets from buttermilk and let excess drip off. Dredge each fillet in the dry mixture until evenly coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F).
- Fry the coated fillets in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (145°F internal temperature).
- Drain on paper towels before serving hot with your favorite sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg