Southern-Style Fried Catfish

 

Here’s a classic Southern-Style Fried Catfish recipe — golden, crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. It’s a soul food staple that’s simple, satisfying, and perfect with hush puppies, coleslaw, or baked beans.

---

Southern-Style Fried Catfish

Ingredients

For the Catfish:

• 4–6 catfish fillets (fresh or thawed)
• 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice)
• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cornmeal Coating:

• 1 cup cornmeal (fine or medium grind)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil (for deep or shallow frying)

---

Instructions

1. Soak the catfish:

• Rinse and pat dry the catfish fillets.
• Place them in a bowl with buttermilk and hot sauce (if using). Let soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge. This tenderizes the fish and cuts any "muddy" flavor.

2. Prepare the coating:

• In a shallow dish, mix the cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.

3. Dredge the fish:

• Remove fillets from the buttermilk (let excess drip off) and dredge in the cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly on all sides. Let rest on a wire rack or plate for 10–15 minutes to help the coating stick.

4. Fry the catfish:

• Heat 1½–2 inches of oil in a heavy skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry catfish in batches for 3–5 minutes per side (depending on thickness), until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove and drain on paper towels or a wire rack. Sprinkle lightly with salt while hot.

---

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or hot sauce.
• Classic sides: coleslaw, hush puppies, fries, collard greens, mac and cheese, or grits.

---

Tips

• Want extra crunch? Double dredge: dip in buttermilk again after the first coating and dredge a second time.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan — it’ll drop the oil temperature and make the fish greasy.
• Substitute with other firm white fish like whiting or tilapia if catfish isn’t available.

---

Let me know if you want an oven-baked or air-fryer version!