Best 3 Crispy Fried Catfish Iris Recipes

**Crispy Fried Catfish: A Southern Delight with a Modern Twist**

In the realm of Southern cuisine, crispy fried catfish reigns supreme, captivating taste buds with its irresistible crunch and flaky, tender interior. This quintessential dish, often served with hush puppies and coleslaw, has been a staple at fish fries and family gatherings for generations. Our article presents a collection of crispy fried catfish recipes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences, ensuring that everyone can indulge in this classic delicacy. From traditional Southern-style catfish coated in cornmeal to lighter, healthier variations using almond flour or panko breadcrumbs, our recipes offer a symphony of flavors and textures. Explore the secrets of achieving that perfect golden-brown crust, while maintaining the fish's delicate, moist flesh. Whether you prefer a classic approach or a contemporary twist, our crispy fried catfish recipes will transport you to the heart of Southern comfort food.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CRISPY SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH

Crispy Southern Fried Catfish image

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 about 20 minutes!!!

Provided by Blair Lonergan

Categories Dinner

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

4 catfish fillets ((about 3-4 ounces each))
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon seasoned salt ((I use Lawry's brand))
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter
Optional garnish: lemon wedges and fresh parsley

Steps:

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.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (4 ounce) fillet, Calories 222 kcal, Carbohydrate 5.9 g, Protein 14.7 g, Fat 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Cholesterol 36.7 mg, Sodium 659.3 mg, Fiber 0.6 g, Sugar 0.1 g

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

Ingredients

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

CRISPY BAKED CATFISH

Crispy Baked Catfish image

Looking for a seafood dinner? Then check out this crispy and baked catfish recipe - a delicious dinner that's ready in 30 minutes!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 pound catfish, flounder or other delicate-texture fish fillets
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup French or ranch dressing

Steps:

Heat oven to 450°. Spray broiler pan rack with cooking spray. If fish fillets are large, cut into 4 serving pieces.
Mix cornmeal, bread crumbs, chili powder, paprika, garlic salt and pepper. Lightly brush dressing on all sides of fish. Coat fish with cornmeal mixture.
Place fish on rack in broiler pan. Bake uncovered 15 to 18 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235, Carbohydrate 14 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving, Sodium 450 mg

Tips:

For the crispiest catfish, make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the fish. The ideal temperature is 350°F (175°C).
Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to fry the catfish. This will help to prevent the fish from sticking together and ensure that it cooks evenly.
Don't overcrowd the skillet. If you add too much fish at once, it will not cook evenly and may become soggy.
Fry the catfish in batches, if necessary. If you have a large amount of fish to cook, fry it in batches to prevent overcrowding.
Season the catfish with your favorite spices before frying. This will help to enhance the flavor of the fish.
Serve the catfish immediately after frying. This will ensure that it is hot and crispy.

Conclusion:

Crispy fried catfish is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following these tips, you can make sure that your catfish turns out crispy and flavorful every time. Serve it with your favorite sides, such as hush puppies, coleslaw, or french fries, and enjoy!