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Crispy Southern Fried Catfish Recipe with Easy Hushpuppies and Tartar Sauce

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A classic southern comfort food featuring crispy fried catfish fillets paired with light and fluffy hushpuppies and tangy homemade tartar sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Catfish fillets, fresh or thawed, skinless and boneless
  • Buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as substitute)
  • 1 cup (120g) medium grind cornmeal
  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour (or almond flour/gluten-free blend for GF)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • Vegetable oil (canola, peanut, or sunflower) for frying
  • Hushpuppies:
  • 1 cup (120g) yellow cornmeal
  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup (40g) finely chopped onion
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil for frying hushpuppies
  • Tartar Sauce:
  • ½ cup (120g) mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped dill pickles
  • 1 tsp capers (optional)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Catfish (15 minutes): Rinse fillets under cold water and pat dry. Place in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Add a pinch of salt and soak for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare the Batter (10 minutes): In a shallow dish, mix cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper until combined.
  3. Coat the Fish (5 minutes): Remove fillets from buttermilk, let excess drip off, then dredge in the cornmeal mixture pressing lightly to cover fully. Set aside.
  4. Heat the Oil (5 minutes): Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or Dutch oven. Heat to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer to monitor.
  5. Fry the Catfish (4-5 minutes per side): Fry coated fillets in hot oil without overcrowding until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels or wire rack.
  6. Make the Hushpuppies (15 minutes prep + 3-4 minutes frying): Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and chopped onion. Beat egg with buttermilk separately, then combine with dry ingredients. Fry spoonfuls in 350°F oil until golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels.
  7. Whip Up the Tartar Sauce (5 minutes): Mix mayonnaise, dill pickles, capers (optional), lemon juice, fresh dill or parsley, salt, and pepper. Chill until serving.
  8. Serve: Plate the crispy catfish with hushpuppies and tartar sauce on the side. Add lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) for best results. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid lowering oil temperature. Press coating firmly onto fish for crispy crust. Use fresh or filtered oil for best flavor. Rest fried fish on wire rack to keep crispiness. For gluten-free, substitute flours accordingly. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with coconut yogurt or plant-based milk with vinegar. Reheat leftovers in oven on wire rack to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried catfish, southern fried catfish, hushpuppies, tartar sauce, southern comfort food, crispy catfish, easy fried fish, fish fry

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/crispy-southern-fried-catfish-recipe-with-easy-hushpuppies-and-tartar-sauce/