Description
Southern Fried Catfish and Hushpuppies bring crispy, golden memories straight from my grandmother’s kitchen to your plate. Cornmeal-crusted fish paired with perfectly golden hushpuppies make this classic Southern comfort meal a delicious celebration of traditional regional cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 fillets catfish
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 2 eggs
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup green peppers
- 1 garlic clove
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup cornmeal, ½ cup flour, 1-½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, smashed garlic clove, and finely diced green peppers in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients thoroughly.
- Beat 1 egg and gradually mix into the dry ingredients. Pour ½ cup buttermilk and stir until your dough becomes thick and stiff.
- Heat oil in a 1-quart saucepan to 375°F. Shape the dough into golf ball-sized spheres using your hands.
- Gently drop dough balls into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, rotating occasionally, until they turn deep golden brown.
- Remove hushpuppies with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Whisk 1 egg in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix 1 cup cornmeal, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon dried thyme.
- Heat ½ inch of oil in a saute pan to 350°F. Dip each catfish fillet in egg, then coat completely with cornmeal mixture.
- Carefully place coated fillets into hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until exterior turns crispy golden and fish is cooked through.
- Transfer fish to paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.
Notes
- Hushpuppy dough works best when buttermilk is added slowly, allowing you to control the consistency for perfect texture.
- Ensure oil is at the right temperature (around 350°F) to prevent greasy or undercooked hushpuppies and catfish.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend in both hushpuppy and fish coating.
- Fresh, high-quality catfish makes a huge difference in flavor, so select firm, bright-colored fillets from a trusted seafood source.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Fried
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg