Louisiana Style Fried Catfish (Print)

Golden catfish fillets with Cajun seasoning, fried to crispy perfection for a Southern-inspired dish.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 catfish fillets (about 6 oz each), skinless

→ Seasoning

02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning

→ Breading

05 - 1 cup cornmeal (fine or medium grind)
06 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
07 - ½ teaspoon paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
09 - ½ teaspoon onion powder

→ Wet Mix

10 - 2 large eggs
11 - ½ cup buttermilk

→ For Frying

12 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying (about 3 cups)

# How to Make:

01 - Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
02 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk until combined.
03 - In another bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
04 - Dip each fillet first into the egg-buttermilk mixture, letting any excess drip off, then dredge generously in the cornmeal mixture. Press lightly so the coating adheres.
05 - Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a heavy skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
06 - Fry fillets in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan.
07 - Drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Serve hot with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and your favorite sides.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cornmeal crust creates this incredible crunch that makes you wonder why anyone would bother with breading fish any other way
  • That Cajun seasoning kick wakes up everything without overwhelming the sweet mildness of the catfish
02 -
  • Overcrowding the pan drops the oil temperature fast and you end up with greasy fish instead of crispy perfection
  • That coating needs to set for about a minute after frying or it will slide right off when you cut into it
03 -
  • Pat the fish dry with paper towels before seasoning because water prevents the coating from sticking properly
  • Keep the cooked fillets in a 200 degree oven while you finish frying the rest so everyone eats together

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