Here’s a simple, classic Southern fried catfish with hushpuppies recipe you can make at home:
⭐ Fried Catfish
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Hot sauce (optional, 1–2 tsp)
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Oil for frying (peanut or vegetable)
Instructions
- Marinate the fish
- Mix buttermilk with a dash of hot sauce.
- Add catfish fillets and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
- Prepare the breading
- In a shallow dish, combine cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the fillets
- Remove fish from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
- Press each fillet into the cornmeal mixture until fully coated.
- Fry
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep skillet or fryer.
- Cook catfish 3–5 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- Drain & serve
- Place on a wire rack or paper towel.
⭐ Hushpuppies
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup flour
- 2 tbsp sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne or paprika (optional)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients
- Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- Add wet ingredients
- Stir in buttermilk, egg, chopped onion, and melted butter.
- The batter should be thick—like a sticky dough.
- Fry
- Drop spoonfuls (about 1 tablespoon each) into 350°F oil.
- Fry 2–3 minutes, turning once, until deep golden brown.
- Drain & serve
- Let rest on a wire rack or paper towels.
🍽️ Serve With
- Tartar sauce or remoulade
- Lemon wedges
- Coleslaw
- Fries or baked beans
If you want, I can also give you oven-baked catfish, air-fryer versions, or a spicy Cajun variation!
