Crispy Southern Fried Catfish Recipe: Golden, Flaky & So Easy

Southern fried catfish is pure comfort. Golden crust. Flaky fish. Big on flavor. You don’t need years of frying know-how to nail this at home. 

With fresh fillets, a punchy cornmeal dredge, and hot oil, you’ll have a soulful meal in no time. 

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Crispy Fried Catfish Recipe

These ingredients can serve up to 4 people, giving you four hearty, golden-crisp fillets:

• 4 catfish fillets (fresh or thawed)
• 1 cup buttermilk (for tender, juicy fish)
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt & pepper (to taste)
• 3 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• FryAway Pan Fry (solidify cooking oil and dump it hygienically)

How to Cook Catfish – Step-by-Step for That Perfect Crunch

Ready for flaky, crispy fried catfish? Follow these easy steps.

1. Soak the Fillets

Lay the fillets in a bowl. Pour in buttermilk. Let them bathe for 30–60 minutes. This gives you tender fish and helps the coating stick.

2. Mix the Dredge

In a shallow bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. This is your golden, crispy crust.

3. Heat the Oil

Fill a deep pan or fryer with 3 cups of vegetable oil. Heat it to 350°F (175°C). Test with a pinch of dredge, if it sizzles instantly, you’re set.

4. Coat & Fry

Shake off excess buttermilk. Press each fillet firmly into the dredge, coating all sides. Fry in batches. Cook 3–4 minutes per side, until the crust is deep golden and the fish flakes easily.

5. Drain and Rest

Move the cooked fillets to a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels. Let them sit for a minute. This locks in crispiness.

How to Solidify Cooking Oil With Fryaway?

You’ve mastered your fried catfish recipe, but the oil cleanup? Not so fun. Pouring oil down the drain? Bad idea. Tossing it outside? No way. 

That’s why you need to know how easy and safe it is to solidify cooking oil with FryAway. It keeps your kitchen clean, your pipes clear, and the planet happy.

1. Sprinkle & Stir 

After frying, add the FryAway Pan Fry powder to the warm oil and stir until it dissolves.

2. Cool Down

Let the oil sit. It solidifies into a block as it cools, requiring no effort.

3. Toss 

Scoop the hardened oil right into the trash. Zero mess. No clogged pipes.

Ready to Dig In?

Homemade crispy Southern fried catfish hits all the right notes: crunch, flavor, and ease. Serve it with Hush Puppies, slaw, or your favorite sides. 

And remember, when it’s time to clean up, FryAway has your back. No fuss, no stress, just pure Southern comfort at home.

Try this fried catfish recipe today, and let FryAway handle the cleanup!