Easy Fried Catfish Recipe (With or Without Buttermilk)
Servings: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 4 catfish fillets about 6 ounces each
- ¾ cup yellow cornmeal
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying (enough to have about ½-inch to 1-inch in the pan)
Instructions
- Soak the Fish: In a shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the catfish fillets and let them soak for 15–30 minutes while you prep the breading.1 cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 4 catfish fillets
- Prepare the Breading: In another shallow dish, mix the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.¾ cup yellow cornmeal, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Bread the Fish: Remove the fillets from the buttermilk and let the excess drip off. Dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat both sides evenly.
- Pan Fry: Heat about ½-inch to 1-inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 2 fillets (or however many fit without crowding). Cook 3–4 minutes per side or until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Add more oil as needed and repeat with remaining fillets.Vegetable oil
- Serve: Drain briefly on a wire cooling rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Serve warm with sides, lemon wedges, and your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 (6-ounce) catfish fillet. Actual calories will vary.
- You can use buttermilk, milk, or even eggs for the wet batter. I've included more info about this above the recipe card.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Fried Catfish Recipe (With or Without Buttermilk)
Serving Size
1 fillet
Amount per Serving
Calories
309
% Daily Value*
Fat
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
15
%
Trans Fat
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
72
mg
24
%
Sodium
781
mg
33
%
Potassium
624
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
32
g
11
%
Fiber
3
g
12
%
Sugar
4
g
4
%
Protein
25
g
50
%
Vitamin A
409
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
92
mg
9
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
