Restaurant Style Fried 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.

FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Heat oil in pan, heat warming oven: In a heavy frying pan (I prefer to use cast iron), pour enough oil to come 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan. Heat the pan on medium-high. Heat your oven to 200°F and lay a cookie sheet inside. Place a wire rack on top of the cookie sheet.
• Mix together cornmeal, flour, spices for dredging: Mix the cornmeal, flour and spices together. (Or you can substitute your favorite seasoning instead.) Place in a shallow dish for dredging.

RESTAURANT-STYLE FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Place the catfish fillets in a single layer in a shallow dish (you may slice the fillets in half lengthwise if desired or leave whole).
• Cover the fillets completely with milk.
• Cover and chill for about 1-1/2 hours.
• In a shallow bowl combine the cornmeal with seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne, onion powder and garlic powder.
• Remove the catfish from refrigerator and allow to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Remove all the milk from the pan and allowing all the milk to drip off the fillets.
• Sprinkle the fillets very lightly with salt (using about 1 teaspoon for all of the fillets).
• Coat lightly with cornmeal mixture.
• Pour the oil to a depth of about 1-1/2 inches in a cast-iron or heavy skillet.
• Heat oil to 350°F.
• Fry the fish in batches about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden.
• Drain on wire racks over paper towels.
• Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep saucepot or small fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Next, in a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk, ensuring to mix well. Then place in a shallow pan.
• To bread the fish, evenly sprinkle both sides of the fillets with the salt and pepper, then dip in the seasoned flour and tap off any excess. Follow with the egg wash and finish with the cornmeal. The breading should be evenly over the fillets. Proceed to place in the heated oil and cook for 3 minutes. Then flip and finish for 2 minutes. The crust should be golden brown and crisp. Then remove from the oil and place on a paper-towel-lined platter.
• To finish, drizzle with lemon juice and serve.