When it comes to cooking deep-fried catfish, the key to achieving a crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior lies in perfecting the cooking time. This delicate fish requires careful attention to ensure it cooks evenly without overcooking and drying out. Whether you prefer your catfish fillets, strips, or whole, understanding the proper cooking time is essential for achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures. In this article, we will guide you through the nuances of deep-frying catfish, providing expert tips and techniques to help you master this delightful dish. We'll explore the ideal cooking temperatures, the significance of using the right oil, and the importance of monitoring the catfish's internal temperature to ensure it reaches its peak flavor and texture. So, get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the secrets of creating the perfect deep-fried catfish, leaving your taste buds craving for more.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
BIG DADDY'S DEEP-FRIED CATFISH
Provided by Aaron McCargo Jr.
Categories main-dish
Time 23m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and cayenne and whisk to combine. Whisk in the beer, being sure to remove any lumps.
- Cut the catfish fillets in half lengthwise to make 2 strips. If desired, cut into bite-sized pieces. In a small bowl add the salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Season the fillets with some of the salt mixture. Reserve the remaining salt mixture for another use.
- Dip each strip in the beer batter and add to the fryer, a few at a time, moving them around so they don't stick. Fry until brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the fryer to a serving platter. Repeat with the remaining fillets and season the fish with lemon juice.
FRIED CATFISH NUGGETS
Steps:
- Place the catfish pieces into a mixing bowl and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Toss until the catfish is evenly coated with the thyme. Mix in the mustard with your hands. Cover, and refrigerate overnight, up to 24 hours.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk the flour, salt, black pepper, and baking soda together in a mixing bowl.
- Dip the catfish pieces one at a time into the flour mixture and shake off the excess. Fry the catfish nuggets in batches until they are no longer translucent in the center and are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Let the oil come back up to temperature between batches. Drain the nuggets on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 394.9 calories, Carbohydrate 26.3 g, Cholesterol 53.3 mg, Fat 21.9 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 22.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 898.3 mg, Sugar 0.1 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
CLASSIC FRIED CATFISH
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
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.
DEEP-FRIED CATFISH
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
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.
DEEP FRIED CATFISH
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
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.
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.
Tips:
- Choose the right catfish. Fresh catfish is always the best choice, but frozen catfish can also be used. If using frozen catfish, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for 30 minutes.
- Use a good quality oil. Canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil are all good choices for frying catfish. Avoid using olive oil, as it has a low smoke point and can burn easily.
- Heat the oil to the right temperature. The ideal temperature for frying catfish is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a deep-fry thermometer to check the temperature of the oil.
- Season the catfish. Before frying, season the catfish with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also coat the catfish in a batter or breading.
- Fry the catfish in batches. Do not overcrowd the pot with catfish. Fry the catfish in batches to ensure that it cooks evenly.
- Cook the catfish until it is golden brown. The catfish is cooked when it is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
- Drain the catfish on paper towels. After frying, drain the catfish on paper towels to remove any excess oil.
Conclusion:
Deep-fried catfish is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you serve it with hush puppies and coleslaw, or on a po'boy sandwich, deep-fried catfish is sure to be a hit.
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