Southern fried catfish is crispy on the outside and tender inside
You nailed it 😍—Southern Fried Catfish is all about that golden, crispy crust with moist, tender fish inside. Here’s a classic recipe that captures the authentic Southern flavor:
Ingredients (serves 4)
4 catfish fillets (fresh or thawed if frozen)
1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)
1 cup cornmeal (yellow, stone-ground for best texture)
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika (optional: use smoked for deeper flavor)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Vegetable oil, for frying (peanut oil is traditional)
