Spicy Fried Catfish

Spicy Fried Catfish: A Crispy, Flavorful Southern Delight

If you’re craving a hearty, flavorful seafood dish with a little extra kick, Spicy Fried Catfish is the recipe you need. This Southern classic combines tender catfish fillets with a perfectly seasoned, crispy coating, offering a satisfying contrast of flavors and textures. Whether served as the star of your dinner table or as a mouthwatering appetizer, Spicy Fried Catfish is a dish that’s sure to please everyone.

The bold, spicy seasoning penetrates the fish, giving it a deep flavor that pairs beautifully with the crispy, golden-brown crust. Whether you’re enjoying it with a side of cornbread, coleslaw, or fried okra, this dish embodies the best of Southern comfort food.

What is Spicy Fried Catfish?

Spicy Fried Catfish is a dish that’s common in Southern cuisine, where catfish fillets are coated in a seasoned cornmeal mixture and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The “spicy” element comes from the addition of ingredients like cayenne pepper, paprika, and hot sauce, which add heat and depth of flavor to the catfish without overpowering the natural sweetness of the fish. The result is a dish that’s crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, with just the right amount of heat to make it exciting.

While traditionally served in a deep fryer, you can also pan-fry the fillets in a skillet for a slightly lighter version that still delivers the same deliciously crispy results.

Ingredients

To make Spicy Fried Catfish, you’ll need:

• 4 catfish fillets (about 1–1.5 lbs, fresh or thawed)
• 1 cup cornmeal (yellow or white)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for spice level)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional, for extra depth of flavor)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk if you don’t have buttermilk)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

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