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–+ servings
fried catfish filets on white plate with lemon wedges
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5 from 7 votes

Southern Fried Catfish

This Southern Fried Catfish is golden brown on the outside and flaky and delicious on the inside. Seasoned through and through, it’s the perfect recipe for when you want a good piece of fried fish.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 199kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Catfish filleted with skin removed
  • 1.5 cups buttermilk or milk optional
  • oil for deep frying
  • ½ cup hot sauce
  • ¾ cup very fine cornmeal
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  • If soaking your catfish filets, start by adding the filets in a flat container and covering them with buttermilk or milk. Allow the filets to soak for 45 minutes to an hour.
  • Next, add about 4-5 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot and heat over medium-high heat until the temperature of the oil reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You will want to use a deep-frying thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil.
  • While the oil is heating, create a dredging station. In one shallow bowl, add the hot sauce. In another shallow bowl, add cornmeal, all purpose flour, Old Bay Seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper and whisk to combine.
  • Remove the filets from the milk mixture and shake off any excess buttermilk. Dip the fillets into the hot sauce mixture, and then into the seasoned cornmeal mixture, shaking off any excess cornmeal. Place fillets on a plate until the oil has reached the desired temperature.
  • Once the oil has reached the correct temperature, gently drop the catfish fillets into the hot oil. Be careful not to cause any oil splatter. Fry each filet for about 3-4 minutes, until the fillets are golden brown.
  • Remove the filets with a slotted spoon and lay them on a wire rack or paper towels.
  • Serve the filets as is or season with additional salt and pepper.
  • Enjoy.

Notes

  • Larger wild-caught catfish will sometimes have a muddy aftertaste. Soak those filets in milk or buttermilk to remove the muddy taste. 
  • Do not overcrowd the pot when frying. Fry only 2-3 filets at a time. 

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal