Southern Fried Catfish

This Fried Catfish recipe is one I’ve cooked for years, tweaked and perfected so it’s weeknight-fast, ultra-crispy, and full of flavor. Whether you love a classic buttermilk soak or want a shortcut, I’ll show you exactly how to nail the extra crispy crust and juicy, flaky fish every single time.

Ingredients for Fried Catfish

• Catfish fillets – I love using catfish filets because they stay tender and flakey but you can substitute with swai, tilapia or cod filets. Red snapper or sole filets work well, too but have a firmer texture.
• Dairy dredge: Buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, kosher salt is my base for the liquid soak but you can also use dairy-free almond milk with a squeeze of lemon or dip fillets into a mix of yellow mustard and hot sauce.
• Dredge: Fine yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic & onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne (optional), baking powder
• Spices: Smoked paprika brings a touch of BBQ flavor but can be swapped with sweet paprika if you want cleaner spice flavor. Use cayenne for a fiery kick, or substitute with chipotle powder for smoky heat. For extra savory flavor, add a pinch of Old Bay or celery salt (reduce added salt accordingly).
• Frying oil – Peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil all work well.

For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.

How to Make Fried Catfish

1. Buttermilk Soak: Whisk buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, and salt. Submerge catfish for 30 minutes in the fridge; pat dry. No buttermilk? Use milk + lemon or the mustard-hot sauce swipe.
2. Seasoned Dredge: In a shallow bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic & onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, and baking powder.
3. Dredge: Press each fillet firmly into the cornmeal mixture to coat on all sides. Set on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes so the coating hydrates and sticks.
4. Heat Oil: Bring 1½–2 inches of oil to 350°F (fry between 330–350°F).
5. Fry: Work in batches without crowding. Fry fillets 3–4 minutes per side (4–6 minutes total) until deep golden and flaky (internal temp about 145°F). For nuggets, fry 3–4 minutes total, tossing for even color.
6. Finish: Transfer to a wire rack and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Serve hot with lemon wedges. 

How to Store Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Store leftover fried catfish up to 2 days in an airtight container, lined with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
• Reheat: Skip the microwave. Air fryer leftover catfish 375°F for 4-6 minutes or oven 400°F for 8-10 minutes on a rack to re-crisp.
• Freeze: Leftover catfish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze tightly wrapped fillets up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 400°F oven on a rack, 15-18 minutes.

What to Serve with Fried Catfish

• Sides: Southern coleslaw, skillet cornbread, creamy mac and cheese, garlicky green beans, hushpuppies, or a simple tomato-cucumber salad.
• Sauces: Tangy tartar sauce, remoulade, comeback sauce, or hot honey.
• Extras: Dill pickles, lemon wedges, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

More Easy Fish Recipes

• Easy Oven Baked Cod
• Homemade Fish Sticks
• Miso Glazed Salmon
• Pan Seared Halibut with Brown Butter Garlic Sauce

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Fried Catfish Recipe

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By Kellie

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr

Servings: 4

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Crispy, golden Fried Catfish with a flavorful cornmeal crust, quick weeknight dinner with or without buttermilk. Tips, swaps, and step-by-step instructions.

Equipment

• deep skillet or dutch oven
• baking sheet with wire rack
• wire spider or slotted spoon
• Instant Read Thermometer

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 pounds catfish fillets, 4 small or 2 large; cut large fillets in half on a bias

Buttermilk soak:

• ▢ 1½ cups buttermilk
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1 tsp hot sauce
• ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt

Cornmeal dredge:

• ▢ 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
• ▢ ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, optional
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ Peanut Oil, peanut, canola, or vegetable, enough for 1½-2 inches in the pan
• ▢ Lemon wedges, flaky salt for finishing

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Instructions 

• Whisk the buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, and salt in a shallow dish and add the fish. Flip the fish fillets to coat, cover and refrigerator.
• Whisk the cornmeal, cornstarch, flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, cayenne, and baking powder.
• Lift catfish from the buttermilk mixture and allow the excess to drip off. Press firmly into the cornmeal mix to coat all sides. Set on a wire rack 10-15 minutes to hydrate the coating, this helps it stick to the fish and get crispy.
• Heat the oil to 350˚F (aim to fry between 330–350°F). Working in batches being sure to not crowd the pan. Fry the catfish fillets 3-4 minutes per side (4–6 minutes total) until deep golden and the fish flakes easily (internal temperature should be 145˚F on an instant read thermometer).
• Transfer the fried catfish to the rack and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
• Serve hot with lemon.

Notes

• Gluten-free option: Swap all-purpose flour for rice flour or a cup for cup gluten-free blend.
• Oil temp matters: Keep oil between 330-350°F; adjust heat between batches.
• Make-ahead: Dredge mix can be whisked together and stored, airtight, for 3 months.
• Reheat like a pro: Air fryer 375°F 4-6 minutes or oven 400°F 8-10 minutes on a rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 513kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 47g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 182mg, Sodium: 1401mg, Potassium: 1239mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 869IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 196mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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