Yesss 🙌 Crispy, golden, Southern-style comfort food right here 🐟✨

🐟 Cornmeal Fried Catfish

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 catfish fillets (about 1½–2 lbs total)

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

• Lemon wedges (for serving)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Fish

• Pat catfish fillets dry with paper towels.

• Season lightly with salt and pepper.

• Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl and soak fillets for 10–15 minutes (this helps the coating stick and keeps fish tender).

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2️⃣ Make the Coating

In another shallow dish, mix:

• Cornmeal

• Flour

• Paprika

• Garlic powder

• Onion powder

• Cayenne

• Salt & pepper

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3️⃣ Coat the Fish

• Remove fillets from buttermilk and let excess drip off.

• Dredge in cornmeal mixture, pressing gently so it adheres well.

• Let coated fillets rest 5 minutes before frying (helps crust stick).

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4️⃣ Fry

1. Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C).

2. Fry fish 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

3. Internal temp should reach 145°F.

4. Transfer to paper towels or a wire rack to drain.

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🔥 Tips for Extra Crispiness

✔ Don’t overcrowd the pan.
✔ Maintain oil temperature between 350–365°F.
✔ For thicker crust, double dip (buttermilk → cornmeal → buttermilk → cornmeal).

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🍽 Serve With

• Coleslaw

• Hush puppies

• French fries

• Tartar sauce

• Hot sauce + lemon

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If you’d like, I can also give you:

• Air fryer version

• Oven-baked lighter version

• Spicy Cajun-style catfish version 🌶️