Southern Fried Catfish

Ingredients

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the fish
   Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels.
2. Soak in buttermilk
   Place the fillets in a bowl with buttermilk and let them soak for 15–20 minutes.
3. Make the coating
   In a shallow dish, mix cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
4. Coat the fish
   Remove the fish from the buttermilk and dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly so it sticks.
5. Heat the oil
   In a deep skillet, heat about 1–2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
6. Fry the catfish
   Carefully place the fillets in the hot oil and fry for 3–5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
7. Drain and serve
   Remove the fish and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Coleslaw
• Hush puppies
• French fries
• Tartar sauce or hot sauce
• Lemon wedges

✨ Tip: For extra flavor, add a little Cajun seasoning to the cornmeal mixture.