Southern Fried Cat Fish- Classic Southern Fried Catfish dipped in buttermilk and breaded in spicy seasoned cornmeal and fried to perfection.
Fried cat fish conjures thoughts of finger-licking goodness and crispy crunch in every bite. When I bought these fish fillets at the market my intention was to bake them with garlic and salt.But I would not stop thinking about fried fish, buckets of fish with hush puppies, dipped in tartar sauce… that did it for me – sometimes nothing can satisfy that desire
The baked version has been put on the back burner – for another day and time. So sorry healthy my healthy peeps.
Although not the healthiest choice, deep frying fish adds great flavor and wonderful crispiness to any fish. When done right it can’t be beat. This Southern Fried Cat Fish is one of my favorite ways of frying fish.
I remember living next to a local seafood market and would never get tried of ordering fried fish. Yep! I ate my way through the menu- from fried fish to calamaris.
Those days are long gone, Now, I have to balance out my meals. Am not a young chicken anymore. But I have to go there occasionally . It’s pretty had for me to completely give up a meal I really enjoy.
This recipe is made with the very minimal ingredients, the Cat fish fillets are dipped in buttermilk and coated with a seasoned corned meal – with granulated garlic, onion powder, cracked pepper, cayenne pepper and salt.
This is gluten free – no added flour. I find the cornmeal adds a gritty crunch to the fish. Which adds to it’s appeal.
Don’t care too much for cat fish , then replace it with another white fish ; tilapia, red snapper it works just as well . Also you can cut in strips or bite size portions if desired .
Serve with it homemade tartar sauce here or store bought version.
Tips For Southern Fried Cat Fish
- For the best possible results, start by making sure that your fish is absolutely fresh. A fresh fish should smell like clean water. Do not buy fish that has fishy odor. Cooking won’t improve it. Speaking from experience here.
- IF it’s your first time frying fish you might want to cut the fish in smaller pieces or chunks. Strips. Whole fish fillet or large chunks can be somewhat daunting.
- Overcrowding your cast iron or deep- fryer will lower the oil’s temperature, which can result in soggy fish. So stick with a few pieces at a time.
- For Crispiest result, I most often use cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. They retain heat more.
- Before frying the temperature should be around 375 degrees it ensures that the batter reacts and creates a barrier between the oil and the food. If your oil’s temperature it too low, the food will soak up oil.
- Once you remove the fish out of the fryer, place them on a metal cooling rack above a sheet pan. It prevents it from getting soggy.
Watch How to Make It
Southern Fried Cat Fish- Classic Southern Fried Catfish dipped in buttermilk and breaded in spicy seasoned cornmeal and fried to perfection.
- 1 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 Tablespoon Granulated garlic
- 1 Teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 -1 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon white or black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt adjust to taste
- 1 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 4 6-ounce catfish fillets (cut in small chunks)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon finely diced onion
- 1/2-1 teaspoon mustard sauce
- 3 tablespoons hot pepper relish
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- Dash hot sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Preheat a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F or In a large, sauce pan pour vegetable oil - half way .
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In a large bowl mix together, cornmeal,garlic , onion powder, cayenne, salt and pepper.
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If fish fillet too large cut into bite-sized pieces.
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Dip each strip in buttermilk and lightly deep into the remaining corn meal.
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Deep fry the fish in the fryer or saucepan a few pieces at a time, moving them around so they don't stick. Fry until brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes or more depending on the size. These big chunks took about 6 minutes per side.
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Remove from the fryer with a slotted spoon place on a cookie rack to ensure crispness.. Repeat with the remaining fillets and season the fish with lemon juice. Serve with spicy tartar sauce
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In a serving bowl combine mayonnaise, garlic, hot pepper relish, onions, mustards,dash hot sauce ,salt and pepper .Cover with plastic wrap and let the flavors mellow in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
- For the best possible results, start by making sure that your fish is absolutely fresh. A fresh fish should smell like clean water. Do not buy fish that has fishy odor. Cooking won't improve it. Speaking from experience here.
- IF it’s your first time frying fish you might want to cut the fish in smaller pieces or chunks. Strips. Whole fish fillet or large chunks can be somewhat daunting.
- Overcrowding your cast iron or deep- fryer will lower the oil's temperature, which can result in soggy fish. So stick with a few pieces at a time.
- For Crispiest result, I most often use cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. They retain heat more.
- Before frying the temperature should be around 375 degrees it ensures that the batter reacts and creates a barrier between the oil and the food. If your oil's temperature it too low, the food will soak up oil.
- Once you remove the fish out of the fryer, place them on a metal cooling rack above a sheet pan. It prevents it from getting soggy.
Jack says
11 Jun, 2019 at 3:28 amDo I use yellow or white corn meal?
ImmaculateBites says
13 Jun, 2019 at 10:10 amEither works just fine.
Darrel Rhame says
7 Jun, 2019 at 12:59 pmOOOHH Girl, I love the way you think! LOL. Got this ol country boy from Louisiana smacking his lips and dreaming of some tasty catfish!
Sarah says
18 Apr, 2019 at 1:04 pmWhy does it say cook time is 58 minutes, but when reading the instructions it says 3-4 minutes per slice?
ImmaculateBites says
20 Apr, 2019 at 8:01 amI have updated recipe. The cooking time varies – 3-6 minutes per side depending on the size of the fish. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Ed Matthews says
7 Apr, 2019 at 11:14 amWhat are your thoughts on marinating the fish in milk or 1/2 milk and 1/2 buttermilk overnight. Some people do ya know. Does this recipe contain a lot of Heat?
Harold says
9 Apr, 2019 at 10:32 amI was wondering the same thing!
Brittany says
6 Mar, 2019 at 6:55 amWhat kind of cornmeal is best to use when frying the catfish?
ImmaculateBites says
6 Mar, 2019 at 5:15 pmI use regular cornmeal , available in most supermarkets.
Mary Kessinger says
3 Mar, 2019 at 1:55 pmLove your catfish recipe! It’s the best! Thanks so much!
ImmaculateBites says
5 Mar, 2019 at 12:18 pmHi Mary,
Thank you so much ! So happy to hear it worked out well for you.
nelvin mello says
14 Jan, 2019 at 4:43 pmyour fryed fish sounds exserlent i am not good at spelling but you sound like a good cook
Della Spencer says
27 Nov, 2018 at 8:32 pmYummy recipe ImmaculateBites. As soon as i get myself a fillet knife i will cook it up. Really excited.
Lele says
14 Oct, 2018 at 8:22 pmAmazing recipe. Thank you for sharing. I wanna try this recipe
Bleujazz says
2 Aug, 2018 at 1:48 amAmazing recipe. Thanks for posting, I’ll never use another one.
imma africanbites says
2 Aug, 2018 at 10:02 pmYaaay! Thank you so much!
Penelope Smith says
31 Jul, 2018 at 7:58 pmMy grandmother really loves fried catfish. I want to learn how to make it for her. It is good to know that I should coat the fish in cornmeal. I might want to ask a restaurant that makes fired catfish how to fry it well.
Jeannie Holt says
18 Jun, 2018 at 4:11 pmI’ve never tried to fry fish. Living in Mississippi, there are catfish restaurants all around. However, my husband was in Florida recently and caught a some fish he wanted to fry. This recipe was excellent, even though none of the fish were catfish. It’s in my recipe box now. Thanks!
imma africanbites says
19 Jun, 2018 at 6:59 pmThank you for the kind words, Jeannie. This sure is a keeper. 🙂
Hanna says
11 May, 2018 at 2:57 pmI made this just now with Bob’s Red Mill gluten free corn meal and it came out perfect! I fried the fish in a cast iron skillet to use less oil and doubled the garlic, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. So crunchy and yummy!!
imma africanbites says
11 May, 2018 at 6:49 pmYaay! Glad it turned out great for your, Hanna. Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. 🙂
Khadijah says
1 Mar, 2018 at 5:56 amSo I’m googling various fried fish recipes and I stumble upon this one, which is arguably the best I’ve seen. I click the about me page since, well, I must know who I am learning from, only to find out it is MY VERY OWN AUNTY IMMA! I love you so much aunty and I will definitely let you know how this recipe works out!
ImmaculateBites says
2 Mar, 2018 at 2:36 amOMG! Khadijah? So happy to hear from you, my Sweet Niece. We need to talk. I hear graduation is coming up… SO EXCITED for you. Can’t believe you are going to be a College Graduate- Damn, am getting old!
Patrick says
19 Feb, 2018 at 2:07 pmYou know, you can make fish tacos out of that fried catfish! Yum!
ImmaculateBites says
21 Feb, 2018 at 9:56 pmYes , you sure can.
darlene cardinal says
12 Feb, 2018 at 9:22 amThe hot pepper relish, is there a receipt for that? Or where do you buy it?
ImmaculateBites says
13 Feb, 2018 at 6:00 amCheck it out at Walmart. Or replace with pickled relish- readily available in most Supermarkets.
Vaughn White says
30 Jan, 2018 at 11:53 amTotally giving this a try tonight for dinner with my Boyfriend! Fingers and toes crossed lol I’m hoping for a great outcome, I’ll certainly post back with my conclusion! Thank you so much for sharing this!
ImmaculateBites says
30 Jan, 2018 at 12:30 pmNo worries you are going to NAIL it ! Can’t wait for your feedback. Happy Cooking !!!
Melissa Cooper says
5 Jan, 2018 at 10:08 pmWow, that Cat fish recipe is really mouth watering, but i have one question that i have recently read somewhere online that cat fish can cause brain related illness, is it true?
ImmaculateBites says
7 Jan, 2018 at 11:35 amHi Melissa! Sorry to say am not an expert on that subject. So don’t have much advice here.
Praveen Ramachandran Nair says
2 Sep, 2017 at 2:06 amHi
You recipes look awesome and delicious.
I would like to know how do you make the african
Fish & Chicken Curry.
Keep doing the good work.
Regards,
Praveen Ramachandran Nair
Bangalore- India
ImmaculateBites says
3 Sep, 2017 at 5:35 amThanks Praveen ! Have you check this other recipes here https://www.africanbites.com/slow-cooker-jamaican-curry-chicken/ and this here https://www.africanbites.com/curried-goat-stew/. Easily adaptable to suit fish and chicken.
Xiomara Cotes says
9 Aug, 2017 at 12:56 pmDo I have to use milk could I just mix in the cornflower and fry it??
ImmaculateBites says
10 Aug, 2017 at 5:01 amThe corn meal would not adhere to the fish that much resulting in very little coating for the fish. If you must then cornflour would be slightly better.
Dana says
7 Oct, 2018 at 5:34 pmI use half flor and half cornmeal . It adheres well and u can skip the mill. Very crispy!
imma africanbites says
8 Oct, 2018 at 1:37 amThanks for sharing, Dana!
Marijeanne says
31 Jul, 2017 at 8:09 amWe caught a 3 lb catfish last nite. Our first, my eight year old daughter reeled it in. We soaked it overnight in buttermilk and fried as above. Wonderful!!!
ImmaculateBites says
31 Jul, 2017 at 10:28 amThree pound cat fish? Wow! That’s huge. That must have been some experience for your daughter. Pleased to hear it worked out well for you Marijeanne. Thanks for the feedback!
taysha says
23 Feb, 2017 at 4:45 amYour catfish looks delicious. I’ve been searching for a good cornmeal coated catfish so I gotta try this one. Should I use fine or coarse cornmeal? Than for your response.
ImmaculateBites says
23 Feb, 2017 at 8:42 amHi Taysha! I use the regular store brand – from walmart, or your local supermarket. Have tried different variety and they all do just fine.
Jess says
14 Feb, 2017 at 6:15 pmOmg omg omg, the best fried fish ever. Ty for posting this recipe! By the way I cooked swai fish instead of catfish, it’s a cleaner tasting than catfish to me.
ImmaculateBites says
16 Feb, 2017 at 7:56 amWow! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it Jess, thanks for letting me know! Saw is a good alternative too!
Janet Apple says
24 Oct, 2016 at 12:14 pmAll of your recipes are awesome!
ImmaculateBites says
24 Oct, 2016 at 12:17 pmThanks for taking the time to let me know!
michael dale says
22 Oct, 2016 at 12:42 pmImma, yours is one if the best and most enjoyable food blogs I’ve come across on the internet in a long, long time. I’ve become addicted to your recipes and ideas. I had some good friends from Jamaica and shared great times (meals, etc) together in Papua New Guinea years ago. You’ve sparked so many great memories for me. It’s going to be cruel if you stop uploading. Thanks so much.
ImmaculateBites says
22 Oct, 2016 at 6:04 pmAww thank you so much! Michael, just made my day!!!! You’ve given me one more reason to keep it going even when my body tells me to take a break. Happy Cooking!
Mike Hunt says
7 Oct, 2016 at 6:08 pmthis look so yummy. It will feel to good to have them in my tummy 😀 5start from me ^^
Ryan says
28 Jun, 2015 at 8:38 amNever had a cat fish, it looks yummy prepared your way!
ImmaculateBites says
28 Jun, 2015 at 10:45 amThanks Ryan!
Cong says
1 Mar, 2015 at 1:02 amI will try this recipe. Thanks Africanbites
mwebeiha says
13 Aug, 2013 at 2:52 amHi
Nice to see some one presenting something from Africa,keep yup good job.
Africanbites says
13 Aug, 2013 at 4:43 pmThanks mwebelha, let me know which recipes you make.