Catfish with cornmeal coating is a Southern classic that can be enjoyed for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Crispy on the outside and flaky and moist on the inside, catfish is the perfect fish for frying. The cornmeal coating gives the fish a delightful crunch, while the catfish itself provides a mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of dipping sauces. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting, this easy-to-follow guide will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to create a delicious catfish with cornmeal coating. From selecting the right catfish to frying it to perfection, we'll cover everything you need to know to make this classic dish.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH
Classic seafood dinner ready in 25 minutes. Enjoy this crispy catfish coated with cornmeal - a delightful meal.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 450°. Spray broiler-pan rack with cooking spray. Mix cornmeal, bread crumbs, chili powder, paprika, garlic salt and pepper.
- Remove and discard skin from fish. Cut fish into 4 serving pieces. Lightly brush dressing on all sides of fish. Coat fish with cornmeal mixture. Place fish on rack in broiler pan. Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork. Sprinkle with parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 170, Carbohydrate 16 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 300 mg
FRIED CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH
For extra crispy use stone-ground yellow cornmeal. Adjust all spices to taste. I made this using large basa fillets, it was excellent!
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories Catfish
Time 15m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a shallow dish combine the first 6 ingredients.
- Dredge the fillets into the mixture and coat evenly.
- In a large cast-iron skillet or a Dutch oven pour about 2-inches of oil; heat to 350 degrees.
- Fry the fillets in batches for about 5-6 minutes turning once until golden.
- Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 417.4, Fat 16.6, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 145.8, Sodium 267.4, Carbohydrate 21.6, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 0.2, Protein 42.9
CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH
Steps:
- Stir together the milk and 1 heaping tablespoon of the House Seasoning. Pour the milk mixture into a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the filets. Spread the filets in an even layer in the dish, turning to coat each side. Let marinate for about 1 hour in a cool place or the refrigerator.
- Pour enough oil into a large Dutch oven to come 2 inches up the side. Clip a deep-fry thermometer to the pot and heat over medium-high heat until the thermometer reaches 370 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, stir together the cornmeal, flour and remaining 1 heaping tablespoon House Seasoning in a paper bag. Working with a few filets at a time, remove them from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them in the paper bag and gently turn the bag over several times until the filets are evenly coated with the cornmeal mixture. Remove the filets and place them on a baking sheet while you repeat the process with the remaining filets.
- Working in batches, fry the filets until golden brown and crisp on the outside and moist and flaky inside, adjusting the heat to maintain temperature, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a clean wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to drain. Serve the filets with lemon wedges.
- Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH
To help breading adhere to the fish, pat fillets dry and coat lightly with flour before dipping in egg and dredging in cornmeal coating. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before frying.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the egg and lemon juice. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Dip catfish into egg mixture, then coat with cornmeal mixture., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Fry fillets, two at a time, for 5-6 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430 calories, Fat 25g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 133mg cholesterol, Sodium 568mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein.
CATFISH WITH CORNMEAL BREADING
Make and share this Catfish With Cornmeal Breading recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Bill From New Mexico
Categories Catfish
Time 45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Put flour in shallow dish.
- Combine eggs, milk, and salt in another bowl.
- Combine cornmeal, celery salt, paprika, pepper and mustard in shallow dish.
- Lightly coat fish in flour.
- Dip in milk/egg wash.
- Coat with corn meal.
- Put fish on paper towels on a baking sheet.
- Refrigerate 3 hours.
- Heat oil to 375 in a deep heavy pan.
- Heat oven to 300.
- Carefully add fish in batches to hot oil.
- Lower heat to medium high.
- Turn fish, cook until coating is golden brown and fish is opaque.
- Remove fish, drain on paper towels.
- Keep warm in oven.
- Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 487.6, Fat 20.2, SaturatedFat 4.9, Cholesterol 178.4, Sodium 543.6, Carbohydrate 32.3, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 0.3, Protein 41.5
BUTTERMILK-AND-CORNMEAL PAN-FRIED CATFISH
Provided by Jonathan Reynolds
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
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.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 835, UnsaturatedFat 31 grams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fat 43 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 636 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
FLAVORFUL CATFISH FILLETS
"This is the best catfish ever!" applauds Ellen De Munnik of Chesterfield, Michigan. "It's fast to prepare...and the cayenne adds a little zip," Her golden cornmeal and herb coating keeps the fillets moist and gives them traditional appeal without the fat that comes from frying.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a shallow bowl, whisk buttermilk and mustard until smooth. In another bowl, combine the cornmeal and seasonings. Dip fillets into buttermilk mixture, then into cornmeal mixture. , Place 1 in. apart on a wire rack coated with cooking spray. Place rack on a baking sheet. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with lemon if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 calories, Fat 13g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 751mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
CORNMEAL COATING
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, combine milk and lemon juice. Add cod fillets, and marinate 5 minutes. Heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium heat.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together cornmeal and flour. Season with paprika, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, thyme and cayenne pepper. Dredge fish in cornmeal mixture.
- Fry cod fillets in hot oil until golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 219 calories, Carbohydrate 19.7 g, Cholesterol 39 mg, Fat 7.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 350.7 mg, Sugar 1.9 g
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
SPICY CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH
Serve with a spoonful of tartar sauce and a lemon wedge on the side of each plate.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- On a baking sheet, mix together cornmeal, paprika, cumin, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Dredge fish in cornmeal mixture, turning to coat both sides.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat. Place 2 catfish fillets in the skillet, skin side up. Cook until crust is browned and fish is firm, 6 to 8 minutes on each side. If crust is starting to turn too brown, reduce heat. Transfer fish to a plate; keep warm. Wipe out skillet with a paper towel. Repeat with remaining oil and fish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 349 g, Fat 18 g, Protein 35 g
CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH FILLETS
Provided by Food Network
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine cornmeal, flour and salt on large plate. Brush catfish fillets with Tabasco sauce. Press fish into cornmeal mixture to coat well on both sides. Heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add fillets and cook 4 minutes. With spatula, carefully turn fish. Add remaining oil and butter. Cook 4 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Garnish with lemon wedges.
FRIED CATFISH
A buttermilk brine and cornmeal coating yield crisp fried catfish. Serve with lemon and hot sauce, or pile on a hoagie roll with shredded iceberg lettuce and tartar sauce. This recipe also works well with tilapia.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes
Time 2h20m
Number Of Ingredients 6
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.
Tips:
- Use fresh catfish fillets for the best flavor and texture.
- Soak the catfish fillets in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before coating them in cornmeal. This will help to tenderize the fish and give it a more flavorful crust.
- Season the cornmeal coating with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. This will add flavor to the fish and help it to brown evenly.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed frying pan to cook the catfish. This will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the fish from sticking.
- Cook the catfish over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until it is cooked through. The fish is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve the catfish with your favorite sides, such as hush puppies, coleslaw, or mashed potatoes.
Conclusion:
Catfish with cornmeal coating is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. The buttermilk marinade and the seasoned cornmeal coating give the fish a flavorful and crispy crust, while the tender and flaky flesh of the catfish melts in your mouth. Whether you are serving it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, catfish with cornmeal coating is sure to be a hit.
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