Best 11 Best Fried Catfish Recipe Ever Recipes

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Are you ready to dive into the world of delectable flavors and crispy textures? Look no further than our curated collection of fried catfish recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. From classic Southern-style catfish to unique fusion dishes, we've got you covered. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the versatility and deliciousness of this freshwater delicacy.

Our recipes range from the traditional to the innovative, ensuring there's something for every palate. Whether you prefer a simple yet satisfying fried catfish with a golden-brown crust, or a more adventurous dish infused with herbs and spices, we've got you covered. We'll guide you through each step of the process, from selecting the freshest catfish fillets to achieving that perfect crispy coating.

Our classic Southern-style fried catfish recipe captures the essence of this iconic dish. We use a flavorful combination of cornmeal, flour, and seasonings to create a crispy crust that perfectly complements the tender and flaky catfish. Served with tartar sauce and lemon wedges, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser.

For those seeking a unique twist, our Asian-inspired fried catfish recipe incorporates a tantalizing blend of ginger, garlic, and soy sauce into the batter. The result is a crispy and flavorful catfish fillet with an irresistible umami flavor. Served over jasmine rice, this dish is a delightful fusion of Eastern and Southern flavors.

If you're looking for a healthier alternative, our baked catfish recipe delivers on both taste and nutrition. We use a combination of panko breadcrumbs and herbs to create a flavorful crust, while baking ensures a crispy exterior and tender interior. Served with a refreshing lemon-herb sauce, this dish is a guilt-free indulgence.

No matter which recipe you choose, you'll be treated to a crispy, flavorful, and downright delicious fried catfish experience. So gather your ingredients, heat up your skillet, and prepare to indulge in a culinary masterpiece.

Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC FRIED CATFISH



Classic Fried Catfish image

Make and share this Classic Fried Catfish recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Bev I Am

Categories     Catfish

Time 21m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, to taste
6 (4 ounce) farm-raised catfish fillets
1/4 teaspoon salt
vegetable oil

Steps:

  • COMBINE first 5 ingredients in a large shallow dish.
  • Sprinkle fish with 1/4 teaspoon salt; dredge in cornmeal mixture, coating evenly.
  • POUR oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches into a deep cast-iron skillet; heat to 350 degrees;.
  • Fry fish, in batches, 5 to 6 minutes or until golden; drain on paper towels.

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH



Southern Fried Catfish image

Fried catfish is a Southern tradition, along with buttermilk hush puppies and buttermilk coleslaw. Try these traditional foods together.

Provided by Mama Smith

Categories     Seafood     Fish     Catfish

Time 30m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 8

½ cup buttermilk
½ cup water
salt and pepper, to taste
1 pound catfish fillets, cut in strips
1 ½ cups fine cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
1 quart vegetable oil for deep frying

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, water, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a flat pan large enough to hold the fillets. Spread fish in one layer over bottom of pan, turning to coat each side, and set aside to marinate.
  • In a 2 gallon resealable plastic bag, combine the cornmeal, flour, and seafood seasoning. Add fish to mixture, a few fillets at a time, and tumble gently to coat evenly.
  • Heat oil in deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
  • Deep fry fillets until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding so fillets have room to brown properly. Fish should be slightly crisp outside, and moist and flaky inside. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1427.2 calories, Carbohydrate 131.6 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fat 78.6 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 45.7 g, SaturatedFat 13.2 g, Sodium 799.9 mg, Sugar 5.9 g

CLASSIC FRIED CATFISH



Classic Fried Catfish image

Skip the restaurants, and make your own fried catfish at home.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Time 8h25m

Yield Makes 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
6 (4- to 6-oz.) catfish fillets
1/3 cup plain yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup masa harina (corn flour)*
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Peanut oil

Steps:

  • Whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce.
  • Place catfish in a single layer in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish; pour buttermilk mixture over fish. Cover and chill 8 hours, turning once.
  • Combine cornmeal and next 6 ingredients in a shallow dish.
  • Let fish stand at room temperature 10 minutes. Remove from buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge fish in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.
  • Pour oil to depth of 2 inches into a large, deep cast-iron or heavy-duty skillet; heat to 360°F.
  • Fry fish, in batches, 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack on a paper towel-lined jelly-roll pan. Keep warm in a 225°F oven until ready to serve.

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH



Southern Fried Catfish image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 quart peanut oil
1 cup stone-ground fine cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 (7 to 9-ounce) US farm-raised catfish fillets, rinsed and thoroughly patted dry
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk

Steps:

  • Heat the peanut oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Adjust the heat to maintain the temperature.
  • Whisk the cornmeal and flour together in a shallow dish. Combine the seafood seasoning, kosher salt, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Season the catfish fillets evenly on both sides with the spice mixture. Pour the buttermilk into another shallow dish. Dip each fillet into the buttermilk, flip once to coat both sides, hold over the pan and allow the excess to drip off. Coat both sides of the fillets in the cornmeal mixture. Set the coated fillets on a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Gently add the fillets, 2 at a time, to the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the fried fillets to a cooling rack set over a newspaper-lined half sheet pan. Repeat method with remaining fillets. Arrange the catfish on a serving platter and serve immediately.

OVEN-FRIED CATFISH



Oven-Fried Catfish image

This recipe is a great alternative to pan-fried catfish. A combination of cornmeal and a variety of spices gives this recipe a savory kick in less than 30 minutes.

Provided by Mrs. Hermes

Categories     Seafood     Fish     Catfish

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 ½ pounds catfish fillets
½ cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon celery seed
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup skim milk
cooking spray

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
  • In a shallow dish, stir together the cornmeal, paprika, thyme, salt, celery seed, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Dip the catfish fillets in milk, then place them into the cornmeal mixture and coat liberally; place on the greased baking sheet. Coat the tops of the fillets with cooking spray until wet.
  • Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 53.8 mg, Fat 9 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 19.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 458.5 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

PAN FRIED CATFISH FILETS



Pan Fried Catfish Filets image

Lightly fried and very flavorful. Sure to please all. Serve with lemon wedges and homemade tartar sauce.

Provided by EHOLT

Categories     Seafood     Fish     Catfish

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
4 (4 ounce) fillets catfish
1 cup milk
4 cloves garlic, minced

Steps:

  • In a mixing bowl, stir together cornmeal, cayenne pepper, paprika and onion powder. Mix well. Pour mixture onto a large sheet of waxed paper.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Pour milk into a medium bowl. Dip catfish filets into milk and hold up and let the milk drip off. Roll the milk-soaked filet in the cornmeal mixture until completely covered. Set aside.
  • Fry the garlic in the hot skillet, but do not burn. Add the coated catfish filets and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, sprinkling salt on the fish after each turn. Cook until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32.7 g, Cholesterol 57.5 mg, Fat 29.3 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 22.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 88.2 mg, Sugar 3.9 g

THE BEST FRIED FISH RECIPE EVER!



The Best Fried Fish Recipe Ever! image

This is my original Recipe for Fried Fish! You will LUV the crunchy coating with a great seasoning combination.

Provided by Cooking Ms. Wanda

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 -3 lbs fresh fish, of your choice (I prefer Fresh Lake Perch or White Bass)
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
3/4 cup cream of wheat
1 tablespoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon turmeric
3/4 teaspoon pepper (to taste)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon all purpose Greek seasoning, plus
1/2 teaspoon all purpose Greek seasoning, for batter
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 egg
oil (for frying)

Steps:

  • Rinse fish and pat dry, cut into desired pieces. Mix egg, milk, 1/2 teaspoon of all-purpose Greek seasoning and hot sauce. Soak fish in milk mixture for 5-10 minutes. While fish is soaking mix remaining dry ingredients in bowl. Heat oil for frying or deep frying in large skillet. Drain fish and pat excess moisture from fish. Dip fish in dry mix and shake off excess. Place into hot skillet carefully and cook until brown on one side, flip and cook until brown. Drain fish on paper towels and place on warm plate in warm oven until all fish is done.
  • Serve with pepper rings, onion slices, and slice dill pickles.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 412.2, Fat 4.8, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 55, Sodium 68.9, Carbohydrate 77.4, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 0.4, Protein 14.4

SECRET INGREDIENT FRIED CATFISH



Secret Ingredient Fried Catfish image

Pancake mix and carbonated water are the surprising secrets to these beautifully browned catfish fillets. Serve with coleslaw or sweet potato fries, and get ready for smiles. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 eggs
2 tablespoons carbonated water
1 cup pancake mix
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 catfish fillets (6 ounces each)
Oil for deep-fat frying

Steps:

  • In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs and water. In another shallow bowl, combine the pancake mix, seasoned salt and pepper. Dip fillets in egg mixture, then coat with seasoned pancake mix., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry fillets, a few at a time, for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 475 calories, Fat 34g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 133mg cholesterol, Sodium 386mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

PAN FRIED CATFISH



Pan Fried Catfish image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 (8-ounce) catfish fillets
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon creole seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Steps:

  • Rinse the fillets and pat them dry with paper towels. Mix the cornmeal, flour, salt, creole seasoning, paprika, and pepper together in a shallow dish. Pour the milk into a second shallow dish. Dip the fillets into the milk and then into the cornmeal mixture, coating them well and shaking of any excess.
  • Heat 1/2 the butter in a large skillet over high heat, and fry 2 of the fillets for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
  • Transfer the fillets to a serving platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter and fillets. Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges.

FRIED CATFISH



Fried Catfish image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 26m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 farm raised catfish fillets
Vegetable oil, for deep frying

Steps:

  • Mix cornmeal, flour, salt, red pepper, garlic powder and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge catfish fillets in flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  • Fill a deep fryer, or large deep skillet half full with oil and heat to 375 degrees. Fry fish 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

FRIED CATFISH



Fried Catfish image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 quarts vegetable oil
4 whole eggs
2 cups milk
4 fillets catfish, 6 to 8 ounces each
1 tablesooon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour, seasoned with 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
2 cups white cornmeal
1 lemon, juiced

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a deep saucepot or small fryer to 350 degrees F.
  • Next, in a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk, ensuring to mix well. Then place in a shallow pan.
  • To bread the fish, evenly sprinkle both sides of the fillets with the salt and pepper, then dip in the seasoned flour and tap off any excess. Follow with the egg wash and finish with the cornmeal. The breading should be evenly over the fillets. Proceed to place in the heated oil and cook for 3 minutes. Then flip and finish for 2 minutes. The crust should be golden brown and crisp. Then remove from the oil and place on a paper-towel-lined platter.
  • To finish, drizzle with lemon juice and serve.

Tips:

  • Use fresh catfish fillets. Fresh catfish fillets will have a firm, white flesh and a mild flavor. Avoid fillets that are slimy or have a strong fishy smell.
  • Season the catfish fillets well. A simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and garlic powder is all you need to bring out the flavor of the fish.
  • Use a light breading. A light breading will help the catfish fillets to cook evenly without becoming greasy. A mixture of flour, cornmeal, and paprika is a good option.
  • Fry the catfish fillets in hot oil. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when the fillets are added. This will help to create a crispy crust.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding the pan will cause the oil temperature to drop, which will result in soggy catfish fillets.
  • Cook the catfish fillets until they are golden brown. The catfish fillets should be cooked until they are golden brown on both sides. This will ensure that they are cooked through.
  • Serve the catfish fillets hot. Fried catfish fillets are best served hot with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and coleslaw.

Conclusion:

Fried catfish is a classic Southern dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. By following these tips, you can make the best fried catfish recipe ever. So, what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

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