A crispy and tender fish with just enough spice to bring you back for more.
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I am going to start this with a simple fact about me, I love seafood. I grew up in southern California and lived in Hawaii for a bit in my early twenties, which just means everywhere I grew up you could find the freshest seafood. Whether it be sushi, poke, or a bagel with lox, there was always seafood somewhere in my weekly diet plan, often either raw or grilled. Then I met my husband, he grew up in the south and their seafood was a little different from what I was used to, his favorite way to enjoy fish was fried with spicy and savory Cajun seasonings.
The first time I had fried catfish was when we were visiting his hometown shortly after we started dating, it was perfectly breaded like fried chicken but with a distinct spice that went along so well with each crispy bite. Knowing how much he loved Cajun catfish meant I was going to need to find a recipe so I could make it at home. When I found this recipe, I knew I had found what I was looking for, crispy and spicy breading perfectly coating the tender juicy catfish inside, now you too can make perfect fried catfish at home.
The Origins of the dish…
The origin of fried catfish is deeply ingrained in southern American culture but stems back to West Africa where most of the slaves in the southern states were originally taken from. The culinary traditions of West Africa met with the abundance of catfish that could be found in lakes and rivers in the southern US, bringing about the modern American variation of fried catfish. Often used to feed large groups during a fish fry it was the enslaved West Africans’ tie to their homeland and their traditions.
Full of rich flavors, the catfish itself has a mild sweet flavor with a firm texture, like white fish. When you blend that with the garlic, cayenne, black pepper, and hot sauce you get a blend of flavors that truly excite your tastebuds.
Is Fried Catfish Healthy?
Every time something is fried people automatically assume it is not healthy, they assume the fat content of the oils used in frying make everything unhealthy, but that is not always the case, the important thing to remember with fried foods is not to over-eat, everything in moderation. With this recipe you have several health benefits, catfish itself is high in protein and a great source of vitamin B12, selenium, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. You also have garlic which is a great antioxidant and helps maintain healthy digestion. And, you have spices like pepper, cayenne, and hot sauce which help speed metabolism and may even be able to assist in weight loss.
What is the difference between wild and farm-raised catfish?
When you’re preparing to make this recipe, you might wonder if you should use wild-caught or farm-raised catfish. I guess the first thing to ask is whether you will be catching your catfish yourself. If you are a person who fishes and live in an area where catfish are found then by all means catch your own. I will say that wild catfish has a gamier flavor. If you are buying your catfish from the grocery store you will more than likely be getting farm-raised catfish which are raised in a controlled environment with less pollution.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 4 catfish fillets, about 6 ounces each
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix
Prepare the cornmeal coating mixture.
Coat
Dip catfish in egg mixture, then in cornmeal.
Fry
Cook until golden and serve with lemon.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
To store your fried catfish allow them to cool completely and store them in an airtight sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This recipe calls for hot sauce but does not specify a brand, that is largely to leave it to your personal preference. I have tried them all from sriracha to Tapatío and through it all I find that using a vinegar based hot sauce like Red Rooster, Tabasco, or Crystal Louisiana Hot Sauce will give you the most authentic soul food flavors.
If we’re being honest not everyone has a deep fryer, but you can make a substitute by putting your oil into a pot on the stovetop and temping your oil until it hits 350 degrees – then you are ready to fry your catfish. Whether using this method or a deep fryer please be cautious and careful because hot oil can burn very fast.
Serving Suggestions
Fried catfish is the perfect main course to your meal, and delicious with a little lemon or lime squeezed over it. For the perfect meal you will want a side that complements the flavors, such as Quinoa Salad with Squash and Pineapples, Strawberry Salad with Grilled Nectarines and Balsamic Vinaigrette, or this Spiralized Cucumber Salad Recipe with Chia Seed Strawberry Vinaigrette.
Fried Catfish
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 4 catfish fillets about 6 ounces each
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
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In a shallow dish, mix together cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
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In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with hot sauce.
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Dip each catfish fillet into the egg mixture, then dredge in the cornmeal mixture to coat evenly.
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Let the coated fillets rest for 10 minutes.
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Heat oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F.
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Fry the catfish fillets in batches until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.
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Drain on paper towels and let cool for a few minutes before serving with lemon wedges.
Nutrition
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