Best 20 Fried Catfish Recipes

SOUTHERN-STYLE OVEN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a 13x9 glass baking dish with the oil, and set aside.
• Rinse the catfish fillets, and pat dry. In a shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, creole seasoning, paprika, sugar, and black pepper. Combine the eggs and hot sauce or water in a another bowl. Dip the fillets in the egg mixture, dredge in the cornmeal mixture, and arrange in the baking pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown. Turn once during cooking. Place catfish on a paper-towel lined plate, and serve immediately with additional hot sauce.

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH

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.

BIG DADDY'S DEEP-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Preheat a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and cayenne and whisk to combine. Whisk in the beer, being sure to remove any lumps.
• Cut the catfish fillets in half lengthwise to make 2 strips. If desired, cut into bite-sized pieces. In a small bowl add the salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Season the fillets with some of the salt mixture. Reserve the remaining salt mixture for another use.
• Dip each strip in the beer batter and add to the fryer, a few at a time, moving them around so they don't stick. Fry until brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the fryer to a serving platter. Repeat with the remaining fillets and season the fish with lemon juice.

PAN FRIED CATFISH FILETS

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.

FRIED CATFISH NUGGETS

Steps:

• Place the catfish pieces into a mixing bowl and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Toss until the catfish is evenly coated with the thyme. Mix in the mustard with your hands. Cover, and refrigerate overnight, up to 24 hours.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk the flour, salt, black pepper, and baking soda together in a mixing bowl.
• Dip the catfish pieces one at a time into the flour mixture and shake off the excess. Fry the catfish nuggets in batches until they are no longer translucent in the center and are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Let the oil come back up to temperature between batches. Drain the nuggets on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

OVEN-FRIED CATFISH WITH RéMOULADE SAUCE

Steps:

• Make fish:
• Preheat oven to 500°F with rack in middle.
• Brush a baking pan with 2 tablespoons oil.
• Combine bread crumbs, cornmeal, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large sealable plastic bag and shake to mix.
• Season fish with salt and pepper on both sides. Working with 1 piece at a time, dip fish in eggs, letting excess drip off, then put in bag and shake to coat well with crumbs.
• Transfer fish to baking pan and bake until undersides are golden, about 6 minutes. Drizzle fish with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, then carefully turn over and cook until golden and just cooked thourough, about 6 minutes more.
• Make rémoulade while fish bakes:
• Whisk together all rémoulade ingredients and salt to taste. Serve fish with sauce on the side.

CLASSIC FRIED CATFISH

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.

OVEN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Pat fish dry with paper towels. In a shallow bowl, combine the cornflake crumbs, celery salt, onion powder, paprika and pepper. In another bowl, beat the egg white and milk. Dip fillets into egg white mixture, then coat with crumb mixture. , Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

SECRET INGREDIENT FRIED CATFISH

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.

DENISE'S LOUISIANA HUSH PUPPIES & FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• HUSH PUPPIES:.
• Heat oil to 350°F.
• Stir together all ingredients.
• Drop by tablespoon into hot oil (Hint: drop close to oil to prevent getting a bunch of little hush puppies).
• When hush puppies float and are golden on one side, flip and brown other side.
• Remove from oil and place on a paper towel lined cookie sheet, in a low oven.
• FRIED CATFISH.
• Rinse catfish fillets in cold water.
• Drain well.
• Salt and pepper the fish. (At this point other seasonings can be added, such as garlic, Old Bay Tony's, etc).
• Dredge fish in Seasoned Fish Fry.
• Deep fry in hot oil.

DEEP FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients.
• Heat oil to 365F degrees.
• Dip fish in milk, then in flour mixture.
• Fry a few at a time, turning once, about 2 minutes each side.
• Drain on paper towels.

QUICK PAN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In shallow bowl, stir together Bisquick mix, cornmeal and seafood seasoning. Pat catfish fillets dry with paper towels; brush both sides of fillets with dressing. Coat with Bisquick mixture, lightly pressing mixture onto fillets.
• In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook catfish in hot oil 6 to 10 minutes, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork. Serve immediately with lemon.

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, scallions and relish to make a tartar sauce. Refrigerate until needed.
• Heat oil in deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Combine cornmeal, Blackfish Spice and salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge catfish fillets in seasoned cornmeal. Deep-fry coated pieces in batches until they are cooked through, about 10 minutes. (For basic reference, use the manufacturer's instructions for your deep fryer for similar foods, then test the fish see that it is fork tender.) Allow to drain on paper towels and serve with tartar sauce and fresh lemon wedges (to squeeze lemon juice over the fish).

BUTTERMILK-AND-CORNMEAL PAN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl combine cornmeal, salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning.
• Heat about 1/8 inch of oil in large skillet over medium heat until a pinch of cornmeal mixture sizzles quickly.
• Dip catfish fillets into buttermilk to coat on both sides. Drain excess and dredge fillets in cornmeal mixture, coating both sides. Shake off excess.
• Fry fillets in oil, 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until nicely browned and crisp.

PAN-FRIED CATFISH SANDWICH WITH CHIPOTLE-LIME SLAW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the flour, the chili powder and 1 teaspoon of the pepper in a shallow dish. Combine the beer and mustard in a separate shallow dish. Mix the panko, granulated garlic, paprika, salt and remaining pepper into a third shallow dish.
• Dredge the fish in the flour mixture and then the beer and mustard and lastly in the panko mixture. Arrange the fish on a sheet pan, lined with a cooling rack, and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• For the slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest and juice, chipotle, sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste. Fold in the cabbage, onion, bell peppers, scallions, and cilantro and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Refrigerate.
• Spread the butter on inside of rolls and arrange, crust side down, on a rack in the oven to toast while fish cooks.
• Heat 1 cup oil in a cast iron or heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the fish, cooking on both sides until the coating turns golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack to drain. Keep warm in the oven, if necessary.
• To make each sandwich, arrange a piece of fish on the bottom half of the rolls and top with the slaw. Cover with another piece of bread and serve.

MUSTARD FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Spread mustard over both sides of fillets; coat with cornmeal mixture., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry fillets, a few at a time, for 2-3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Drain on paper towels.

FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Pat fish dry; transfer to a pie dish or other wide, shallow dish. Season generously with salt andpepper. Add buttermilk, turning and arranging fish strips to fully submerge. Let stand 2 hours, or refrigerate, loosely covered, up to 8 hours.
• In another pie dish, season cornmeal with salt and pepper. Working one at a time, lift fishstrips from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, and dredge in cornmeal mixture, turning toevenly coat. Gently shake off any excess; transfer to a wire rack.
• Pour enough oil into a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (preferably cast iron) to come 1/4 inchup sides (about 3/4 cup); heat over medium-high. When oil shimmers and a bit of cornmeal sizzles when dropped in, add fish in a single layer (do not crowd pan; fry in batches if necessary). Cook, undisturbed, until fish is golden brown on bottoms and lifts easily from skillet, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until golden on bottoms and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a clean wire rack, season with salt, and let cool 1 minute. Serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce, or one of the fish sauces.

CORNMEAL CRUSTED OVEN FRIED CATFISH (WW CORE)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• In a shallow bowl combine the cornmeal with all the powdered spices listed. In a second bowl add the milk and hot sauce (if desired).
• Dredge the cleaned catfish fillets in the milk, then dip into the cornmeal coating on both sides. You may need to press down a bit to make sure the cornmeal adheres to the fish.
• Place the coated fillets on the baking sheet and give the tops a light shot of cooking spray for crispness.
• Bake for 15 minutes, until cooked through. Remove from oven and let cool for a minute before serving.
• Plate with 1/4 asparagus and a lemon wedge.

FRIED CATFISH TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE COLE SLAW - EMERIL LAGASSE

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, cut the catfish filets into 1-inch strips on the diagonal.
• Place fish in a medium mixing bowl with the milk, Creole mustard, hot sauce, 1/2 tsp of salt and cayenne pepper.
• Stir to thoroughly combine and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Make the Chipotle Slaw by combining the chipotle, mayonnaise, honey and lime juice in a large mixing bowl. Add the shredded cabbage, onions, 1/4 tsp salt and thoroughly combine. Refrigerate until ready to assemble the tacos.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet or a deep fryer until a thermometer registers 350 degrees.
• In a shallow plate, combine the flour, cornmeal and creole seasoning. Dredge each piece of fish in the flour mixture until well coated on all sides.
• When the oil is hot, gently place the fish in the hot oil and deep fry until the fish is golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fish to a paper-lined plate to drain. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Using tongs, quickly dip the corn tortillas in the hot oil until they begin to sizzle. Transfer to paper-lined plates to drain briefly, then serve, with the catfish and slaw divided among the hot taco shells.

DEEP FRIED CATFISH BITES WITH A KICKBACK SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. DIPPING SAUCE
• 2. Gather your ingredients.
• 3. Add the mayonnaise, brown mustard, lime juice, honey, brown sugar, mustard powder, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl.
• 4. Whisk to combine.
• 5. Season with hot sauce and salt to your own particular tastes.
• 6. Mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
• 7. Cover, and reserve.
• 8. Chef's Note: If you have the time, allow the dipping sauce to sit for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight. This will help give the ingredients a chance to know each other.
• 9. THE CATFISH
• 10. Gather your ingredients.
• 11. Cut the catfish into bite-sized pieces, and reserve.
• 12. Add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt and the cayenne pepper to a large bowl.
• 13. Whisk to combine.
• 14. Chef's Note: Adjust the salt to your own tastes, or leave it out altogether.
• 15. Add the beer.
• 16. Whisk until there are no lumps and the mixture is completely smooth.
• 17. Chef's Tip: If you have any left over beer, you should drink it down. We don't want anything wasted.
• 18. Chef's Note: If the batter is still a bit thick, add some water to thin it down.
• 19. Mix the remaining 1-teaspoon of salt with the pepper, garlic powder, and paprika and/or dill, if using.
• 20. Use this to lightly season the fish on both sides.
• 21. Chef's Note: You will probably have more of the salt/pepper/garlic mixture than what you need. Discard any that's left.
• 22. Preheat your oil to 350f (176c).
• 23. Chef's Tip: If you have a deep fryer, most are preset to this temperature. If you are using a pot, then use a thermometer to keep the temperature as close to 350f (176c) as possible.
• 24. Dip a piece of catfish into the batter and then carefully place into the hot oil.
• 25. Chef's Tip: Place several pieces into the oil, but don't overcrowd.
• 26. Keep the catfish moving in the oil so that they don't stick.
• 27. Fry until the catfish bites are nice and brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• 28. Place the cooked catfish on a paper towel, and repeat for the remaining catfish.
• 29. Chef's Tip: To keep the catfish warm, you might want to place them on a paper-towel lined baking sheet. Preset the oven to 200f (94c), and keep them in there until ready to serve.
• 30. Chef's Note: If you have any batter left over, and you probably will, drizzle it into the hot oil, and make some crunchies, put them in the plate and lay the catfish on top. I think some people like the crunchies more than the catfish.
• 31. To serve, add to a serving plate, with the dipping sauce on the side. Add a few lemon wedges, and there you go. Enjoy.
• 32. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.