Fried Whole Catfish Recipes

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, water, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a flat pan large enough to hold the fillets. Spread fish in one layer over bottom of pan, turning to coat each side, and set aside to marinate.
• In a 2 gallon resealable plastic bag, combine the cornmeal, flour, and seafood seasoning. Add fish to mixture, a few fillets at a time, and tumble gently to coat evenly.
• Heat oil in deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Deep fry fillets until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding so fillets have room to brown properly. Fish should be slightly crisp outside, and moist and flaky inside. Drain on paper towels.

WHOLE FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Season both sides of the fish with a sprinkling of salt and a sprinkling of Old Bay seasoning.
• Combine the flour and cornmeal.
• Heat a skillet with about a half inch to inch of oil. You aren't deep frying so you don't need a lot.
• If you are cooking whole catfish, cut 3 slits through on each side of the fish. Dredge each piece of fish in the flour/cornmeal mixture making sure all nooks and crannies are coated.
• Place the fish in the medium hot oil, about 325 to 350 and cook until browned. Flip and cook on the other side until golden brown. If you are cooking whole fish I'd cook at about 325 so it will cook inside.
• When done, remove and drain on paper towels Serve with lemon slices, tarter sauce or a delicious red sauce.

PAN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Rinse the fillets and pat them dry with paper towels. Mix the cornmeal, flour, salt, creole seasoning, paprika, and pepper together in a shallow dish. Pour the milk into a second shallow dish. Dip the fillets into the milk and then into the cornmeal mixture, coating them well and shaking of any excess.
• Heat 1/2 the butter in a large skillet over high heat, and fry 2 of the fillets for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• Transfer the fillets to a serving platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter and fillets. Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges.

FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the mustard, hot sauce and egg white. Add the fish and toss to coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Pour the oil into a Dutch oven, filling it no more than one-third full. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Line a plate with paper towels and set by the cooktop. In a shallow dish, combine the cornmeal and flour and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the fish from the marinade and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dredge the fish in the cornmeal mixture to coat both sides and shake off the excess. Carefully add the fish to the oil, a few pieces at a time. Cook until golden brown and crispy, 2 minutes total. Remove with a slotted spoon to the prepared plate.
• Serve with Country Remoulade and Beer Batter Hushpuppies.
• In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chives, lemon juice, mustard, hot sauce, green onions, celery and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to blend the flavors. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve chilled.
• In a large cast-iron Dutch oven, heat the oil over high heat until it reaches 375 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
• To make the batter, in a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, baking powder, cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. In a second bowl or large liquid measuring cup, combine the beer, eggs and onions. Add some salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, using as few strokes as possible. (The mixture should resemble wet sand; add more beer, if needed.)
• Line a plate with paper towels and set by the cooktop. To fry the hushpuppies, scoop up the batter using a medium ice cream scoop and drop it into the hot oil without crowding. Fry, stirring occasionally with a slotted spoon, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to the prepared plate. Adjust the heat to maintain the proper temperature and repeat with the remaining batter. Serve immediately.

CATFISH (PAN FRIED)

Steps:

• Place catfish into a shallow bowl or baking dish.
• In another smaller bowl mix all of the seasonings. Season the filets with half of the seasonings. Add the lemon juice. Turn the catfish filets several times to coat evenly. Allow to stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
• Combine the cornmeal, flour and the remaining seasoning mixture in a bowl.
• Remove the catfish filets from the marinade and dredge in the cornmeal mixture, coating evenly.
• Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the catfish and fry in batches until golden brown on both sides, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Remove the catfish from the skillet with a slotted spatula, drain on paper towels and serve.

DEEP FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients.
• Heat oil to 365F degrees.
• Dip fish in milk, then in flour mixture.
• Fry a few at a time, turning once, about 2 minutes each side.
• Drain on paper towels.

OVEN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
• In a shallow dish, stir together the cornmeal, paprika, thyme, salt, celery seed, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Dip the catfish fillets in milk, then place them into the cornmeal mixture and coat liberally; place on the greased baking sheet. Coat the tops of the fillets with cooking spray until wet.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

SO GOOD PANFRIED CATFISH (MAKEOVER)

Steps:

• In shallow dish, beat egg and hot pepper sauce until well mixed. In another shallow dish, stir cornmeal, paprika, pepper, salt, onion powder and seafood seasoning until blended.
• Dip each piece of fish into egg mixture, then coat with cornmeal mixture.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add fish; cook 4 to 8 minutes, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork and is brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. (To keep underside of fish crisp, immediately place fish on cooling rack until serving time.) Squeeze lemon juice over fish.