Crispy, golden brown catfish fillets are a Southern delicacy that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. This versatile fish can be prepared in a variety of ways, but frying is one of the most popular methods. In this article, we'll provide you with two different recipes for frying catfish fillets in a skillet: one for a classic Southern-fried catfish and one for a healthier baked catfish. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in delicious, flaky fish that the whole family will love. We'll also provide tips on how to choose the best catfish fillets and how to cook them perfectly so that they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. So whether you're a seasoned catfish fry-er or you're new to cooking fish, we have the perfect recipe for you.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CRISPY SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH
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
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
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.
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
PAN FRIED CATFISH
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
Crispy fried catfish fillets coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust!
Provided by Hank Shaw
Categories Dinner Budget Comfort Food Quick and Easy Fish Southern
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oil in pan, heat warming oven: In a heavy frying pan (I prefer to use cast iron), pour enough oil to come 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan. Heat the pan on medium-high. Heat your oven to 200°F and lay a cookie sheet inside. Place a wire rack on top of the cookie sheet.
- Mix together cornmeal, flour, spices for dredging: Mix the cornmeal, flour and spices together. (Or you can substitute your favorite seasoning instead.) Place in a shallow dish for dredging.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 665 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 146 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 45 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 439 mg, Sugar 3 g, Fat 38 g, ServingSize Serves 4, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
SO GOOD PANFRIED CATFISH (MAKEOVER)
From Betty's Soul Food Collection... Purr-fect for catfish or any mild-flavored fish, this dish goes from pan to kitchen table in 20 minutes flat-with a spicy cornmeal breading that's sure to heat up dinner hour!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In shallow dish, beat egg and hot pepper sauce until well mixed. In another shallow dish, stir cornmeal, paprika, pepper, salt, onion powder and seafood seasoning until blended.
- Dip each piece of fish into egg mixture, then coat with cornmeal mixture.
- In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add fish; cook 4 to 8 minutes, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork and is brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. (To keep underside of fish crisp, immediately place fish on cooling rack until serving time.) Squeeze lemon juice over fish.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving, TransFat 0 g
SECRET INGREDIENT FRIED CATFISH
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
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.
SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH
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
SKILLET-GRILLED CATFISH
The Cajun flavor is great in this skillet-grilled catfish recipe. You can use this recipe with any thick fish fillet, but I suggest catfish or haddock. -Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large shallow dish, combine the first 9 ingredients. Add catfish, 1 fillet at a time, and turn to coat., Place a large cast-iron skillet on a grill rack over medium-high heat. Melt butter in the skillet; add catfish in batches, if necessary. Grill, covered, until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 5-10 minutes on each side.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 222 calories, Fat 15g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 51mg cholesterol, Sodium 366mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
Tips for Frying Catfish Fillets in a Skillet:
- Use fresh or frozen catfish fillets. If using frozen fillets, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or under cold water for 30 minutes.
- Season the catfish fillets with your favorite seasonings. Some popular options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Coat the catfish fillets in a light dusting of flour. This will help the fillets to brown evenly and prevent them from sticking to the skillet.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet.
- Carefully place the catfish fillets in the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the skillet or the fillets will not cook evenly.
- Cook the catfish fillets for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the catfish fillets from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
- Serve the catfish fillets immediately with your favorite sides.
Conclusion:
Frying catfish fillets in a skillet is a quick and easy way to prepare this delicious fish. By following these tips, you can ensure that your catfish fillets are cooked perfectly every time. Serve them with your favorite sides for a satisfying meal.
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