Best 8 Best Deep Fried Catfish Recipes

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Welcome to the realm of culinary delights, where taste buds awaken and appetites are appeased! As we embark on a journey to discover the best deep-fried catfish recipe, let us set the stage for a tantalizing experience that will leave you craving more. Deep-fried catfish, a Southern delicacy with a crispy golden crust and succulent, flaky flesh, has captured the hearts of food lovers worldwide. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, it is a dish that transcends time and cultural boundaries. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps of creating an unforgettable deep-fried catfish dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's dive into the world of deep-fried catfish mastery!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLASSIC FRIED CATFISH



Classic Fried Catfish image

Make and share this Classic Fried Catfish recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Bev I Am

Categories     Catfish

Time 21m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, to taste
6 (4 ounce) farm-raised catfish fillets
1/4 teaspoon salt
vegetable oil

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.

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

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

DEEP FRIED CATFISH



Deep Fried Catfish image

Make and share this Deep Fried Catfish recipe from Food.com.

Provided by MizzNezz

Categories     Catfish

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 lbs catfish meat
oil (for deep frying)

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.

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH



Southern Fried Catfish image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 quart peanut oil
1 cup stone-ground fine cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 (7 to 9-ounce) US farm-raised catfish fillets, rinsed and thoroughly patted dry
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk

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.

OVEN-FRIED CATFISH



Oven-Fried Catfish image

This recipe is a great alternative to pan-fried catfish. A combination of cornmeal and a variety of spices gives this recipe a savory kick in less than 30 minutes.

Provided by Mrs. Hermes

Categories     Seafood     Fish     Catfish

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 ½ pounds catfish fillets
½ cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon celery seed
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup skim milk
cooking spray

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
  • In a shallow dish, stir together the cornmeal, paprika, thyme, salt, celery seed, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Dip the catfish fillets in milk, then place them into the cornmeal mixture and coat liberally; place on the greased baking sheet. Coat the tops of the fillets with cooking spray until wet.
  • Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 53.8 mg, Fat 9 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 19.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 458.5 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

DEEP-FRIED CATFISH



Deep-Fried Catfish image

Craig Claiborne was the food editor of the New York Times for 29 years, and he opened the world of global cooking to generations of readers who knew little about even Italian or French food. But underneath it, he always had an abiding appreciation for the classic food of his childhood home in Mississippi. This simple, reliable formula for fried catfish can be applied to other relatively firm white filets. Mr. Claiborne's love of corn oil reflects the era in which he cooked. Canola, sunflower or peanut oil will work as well.

Provided by The New York Times

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, main course

Time 20m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 catfish fillets, about 1 pound
Fresh corn oil to cover
1/2 cup white cornmeal
Salt to taste, if desired
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Lemon halves
Tomato ketchup
Hush Puppies (see recipe)

Steps:

  • Heat the oil for deep frying.
  • Cut each fillet in half crosswise.
  • Combine the cornmeal, salt and pepper.
  • Dredge the fillets in the cornmeal. Pat to make the cornmeal adhere. Drop the fillets in the oil and cook five to 10 minutes or until crisp and brown. Serve with lemon halves, ketchup and hush puppies.

SECRET INGREDIENT FRIED CATFISH



Secret Ingredient Fried Catfish image

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

2 eggs
2 tablespoons carbonated water
1 cup pancake mix
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 catfish fillets (6 ounces each)
Oil for deep-fat frying

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.

OVEN-FRIED CATFISH



Oven-Fried Catfish image

This moist baked catfish gets its crisp golden coating from cornflake crumbs. The fillets are nicely seasoned with celery salt, onion powder and paprika. Phyllis Early of Holland, Michigan shared the recipe.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 catfish fillets (6 each)
1 cup cornflake crumbs
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 egg white
2 tablespoons fat-free milk

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 319 calories, Fat 13g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 80mg cholesterol, Sodium 719mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Select the right catfish. Choose firm, fresh catfish fillets that are free of any blemishes or discoloration. It's best to use fillets that are about 1-inch thick.
  • Prepare the catfish. Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the fillets into 1-inch pieces.
  • Make the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and hot sauce.
  • Dredge the catfish. Dip the catfish pieces into the egg mixture, then coat them in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess batter.
  • Fry the catfish. Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Carefully place the catfish pieces in the hot oil and fry them for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
  • Serve the catfish. Drain the catfish on paper towels to remove any excess oil. Serve the catfish hot with your favorite sides, such as hushpuppies, coleslaw, or french fries.

Conclusion:

Deep-fried catfish is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a casual meal or a special occasion. By following the tips in this blog post, you can make sure that your catfish turns out perfectly crispy and golden brown. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give deep-fried catfish a try!

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