Best Pan Fried Catfish Recipes

PAN FRIED CATFISH FILETS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, stir together cornmeal, cayenne pepper, paprika and onion powder. Mix well. Pour mixture onto a large sheet of waxed paper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Pour milk into a medium bowl. Dip catfish filets into milk and hold up and let the milk drip off. Roll the milk-soaked filet in the cornmeal mixture until completely covered. Set aside.
• Fry the garlic in the hot skillet, but do not burn. Add the coated catfish filets and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, sprinkling salt on the fish after each turn. Cook until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork. Drain on paper towels.

BUTTERMILK-AND-CORNMEAL PAN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl combine cornmeal, salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning.
• Heat about 1/8 inch of oil in large skillet over medium heat until a pinch of cornmeal mixture sizzles quickly.
• Dip catfish fillets into buttermilk to coat on both sides. Drain excess and dredge fillets in cornmeal mixture, coating both sides. Shake off excess.
• Fry fillets in oil, 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until nicely browned and crisp.

PAN-FRIED CATFISH SANDWICH WITH CHIPOTLE-LIME SLAW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the flour, the chili powder and 1 teaspoon of the pepper in a shallow dish. Combine the beer and mustard in a separate shallow dish. Mix the panko, granulated garlic, paprika, salt and remaining pepper into a third shallow dish.
• Dredge the fish in the flour mixture and then the beer and mustard and lastly in the panko mixture. Arrange the fish on a sheet pan, lined with a cooling rack, and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• For the slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest and juice, chipotle, sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste. Fold in the cabbage, onion, bell peppers, scallions, and cilantro and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Refrigerate.
• Spread the butter on inside of rolls and arrange, crust side down, on a rack in the oven to toast while fish cooks.
• Heat 1 cup oil in a cast iron or heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the fish, cooking on both sides until the coating turns golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack to drain. Keep warm in the oven, if necessary.
• To make each sandwich, arrange a piece of fish on the bottom half of the rolls and top with the slaw. Cover with another piece of bread and serve.

QUICK PAN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In shallow bowl, stir together Bisquick mix, cornmeal and seafood seasoning. Pat catfish fillets dry with paper towels; brush both sides of fillets with dressing. Coat with Bisquick mixture, lightly pressing mixture onto fillets.
• In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook catfish in hot oil 6 to 10 minutes, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork. Serve immediately with lemon.

SOUTHERN-STYLE PAN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Whisk together buttermilk, mustard, Essence, garlic, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Place fillets in a shallow baking dish just large enough to hold them in an even layer. Pour buttermilk mixture over fish, making sure each fillet is evenly coated; set aside.
• In another shallow baking dish, whisk together flour, cornmeal, and salt.
• Working with 1 piece of fish at a time, remove from buttermilk mixture, shaking off any excess, and dredge in flour mixture to coat. Transfer to a plate and repeat process with remaining fillets.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully add two fillets to skillet. Cook, until golden brown and crisp, about 4 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until golden brown and crisp on the second side, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Using a fish spatula, transfer fillets to a paper towel-lined plate; repeat process with remaining 2 fillets. Serve immediately with tartar sauce, if desired, and lemon wedges.

PAN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• 1. IN A BOWL ,COMBINE CORN OR ALL PURPOSE FLOUR,RED PEPPER, BLACK PEPPER,SALT ,COMPLETE SEASONING, GARLIC POWDER AND MIX WELL.DIP FISH FILLETS IN FLOUR MIXTURE TO COAT.
• 2. IN A 12-INCH SKILLET HEAT 1/4 INCH MELTED SHORTENING OVER MED. HEAT TILL HOT.
• 3. ADD FILLETS TO THE SKILLET IN A SINGLE LAYER. FRY ON ONE SIDE ABOUT 3 MIN.OR UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN.TURN OVER AND FRY 3 OR 4 MIN.MORE OR UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN AND FISH FLAKES WITH A FORK. DRAIN ON PAPER TOWELS. SERVE WITH TARTAR SAUCE AND LEMON WEDGES.

CATFISH (PAN FRIED)

Steps:

• Place catfish into a shallow bowl or baking dish.
• In another smaller bowl mix all of the seasonings. Season the filets with half of the seasonings. Add the lemon juice. Turn the catfish filets several times to coat evenly. Allow to stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
• Combine the cornmeal, flour and the remaining seasoning mixture in a bowl.
• Remove the catfish filets from the marinade and dredge in the cornmeal mixture, coating evenly.
• Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the catfish and fry in batches until golden brown on both sides, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Remove the catfish from the skillet with a slotted spatula, drain on paper towels and serve.

DOLLY PARTON'S PAN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Wash the catfish fillets in cold water and pat dry.
• Melt enough lard or shortening in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat to reach 3/4-inch deep.
• While the lard/shortening is melting, pour the cornmeal into a large, shallow plate or dish.
• Season both sides of the catfish fillets (remember to pat them dry, first) with salt and pepper, then dredge them in the cornmeal and shake off any excess.
• When the melted fat is hot but not smoking, carefully slide the fillets into the pan (careful not to splatter, and don't crowd the pan because you want the fish to fry and not steam). Fry the fish in batches if necessary.
• Fry the fillets about 4 minutes per side, until crisp and golden brown.
• Put paper towels on a platter and transfer the fried fillets to the platter with a slotted spatula or spoon.
• Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite catfish sauce (tartar, cocktail, etc). Make sure to have plenty of napkins, hush puppies, corn on the cob, and coleslaw, too!
• Makes 6 servings.

PAT'S PAN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Dry your catfish filets with paper towels.
• Pour 1 cup of the flour on a plate and "dust" the filets and set them aside on another plate for about half an hour. (This process helps to keep the coating on the fish as they fry).
• Next, heat the shortening in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Set up a shallow medium-sized bowl and a dinner plate for "drenching" and "dredging" the fillets.
• In the bowl, break the eggs and beat them a bit, then add the buttermilk and the lemon juice and whisk these ingredients a few seconds until blended.
• On the plate, pour the remaining cup of flour, cornmeal, garlic salt, thyme, table salt, baking soda, and fennel (if you're using it). Mix it up with a fork or with your fingers.
• Dip a fillet into the liquid, coating it totally, and then allow it to drip off a bit. Then, roll it carefully in the flour/cornmeal mix until it is coated all over. Carefully lay the fillet in the hot oil. It should start frying immediately -- if not, your oil is not hot enough!
• Repeat this process until you have half of the fillets in the pan. You don't want to crowd them so plan on doing the fish in two separate batches.
• When the fillets have turned a golden brown on the bottom side, carefully turn them to fry the other side. Remove them to a plate with some paper towels on it once they are golden brown all over (about 3-4 minutes for each side). (The fillets should be snow-white in the thick portion of the fillet, and the meat should "flake apart" when pulled apart with a fork).
• Serve either as a sandwich, or, plate up the fish with side dishes (I like good coleslaw and baked beans with my catfish). A tangy tartar sauce is also good with fried catfish. Enjoy!
• NOTE: Pan-fried catfish makes an EXCELLENT breakfast, along with fried potatoes, when you're camping!

PAN-FRIED CATFISH WITH ARUGULA-ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine arugula, oranges, and red onion in large bowl. Whisk together orange juice, olive oil, and 1 pinch of cayenne in small bowl. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Combine cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1 pinch of cayenne in shallow dish. Rinse catfish; shake off excess water. Dredge catfish in cornmeal mixture; turn to coat evenly.
• Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add catfish and cook until coating is golden brown and crispy and fish is opaque in center, about 2 1/2 minutes per side.
• Drizzle dressing over salad. Divide salad equally among 4 plates; top with catfish and serve.

PAN - FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• 1. In shallow dish, lightly beat egg and hot pepper sauce until well mixed. In a second shallow dish, stir cornmeal, paprika, pepper, salt, onion powder and seafood seasoning until blended.
• 2. Dip each piece of fish into egg mixture, then coat with cornmeal mixture.
• 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add fish. Cook 5 to 8 minutes total, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork and is brown on both sides. Drain on paper toweling.
• 4. NOTE: To keep underside of fish crisp: Immediately place fish on cooling rack until serving time. Squeeze lemon juice over fish as it is served. Add wedges as a garnish on serving platter.

PAN-FRIED CATFISH SANDWICH WITH CHIPOTLE-LIME SLAW

Steps:

• "Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the flour, the chili powder and 1 teaspoon of the pepper in a shallow dish. Combine the beer and mustard in a separate shallow dish. Mix the panko, granulated garlic, paprika, salt and remaining pepper into a third shallow dish. Dredge the fish in the flour mixture and then the beer and mustard and lastly in the panko mixture. Arrange the fish on a sheet pan, lined with a cooling rack, and refrigerate until ready to cook. For the slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest and juice, chipotle, sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste. Fold in the cabbage, onion, bell peppers, scallions, and cilantro and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Refrigerate. Spread the butter on inside of rolls and arrange, crust side down, on a rack in the oven to toast while fish cooks. Heat 1 cup oil in a cast iron or heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the fish, cooking on both sides until the coating turns golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack to drain. Keep warm in the oven, if necessary. Cook's Note for an alternate method: Prepare fish as above, but arrange on a sheet pan lined with a baking rack. Put the fish into the hot oven and bake until cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes. Briefly broil both sides of fillets to get a good crisp coating. To make each sandwich, arrange a piece of fish on the bottom half of the rolls and top with the slaw. Cover with another piece of bread and serve. "

PAN FRIED CATFISH W PARSLEY, CAPERS & BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• 1. Pat fillets dry and season with salt and pepper then dredge lightly in flour shaking off excess.
• 2. Add olive oil to skillet and get it hot. Add the catfish fillets and cook until browned on one side. Flip them and cook until browned on the other side. Remove the fish to a plate.
• 3. Add the butter to the same pan and swirl it around melting it. Then throw in the capers, lemon juice, & parsley. Cook swirling until the butter is brown but not burnt. Pour over the fish fillets

PAN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Rinse the fillets and pat them dry with paper towels. Mix the cornmeal, flour, salt, creole seasoning, paprika, and pepper together in a shallow dish. Pour the milk into a second shallow dish. Dip the fillets into the milk and then into the cornmeal mixture, coating them well and shaking of any excess.
• Heat 1/2 the butter in a large skillet over high heat, and fry 2 of the fillets for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• Transfer the fillets to a serving platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter and fillets. Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges.

CRISPY PAN-FRIED CATFISH WITH HOT SLAW

Steps:

• Cut the catfish fillets in half lengthwise, and then cut each half diagonally into 2 or 3 long pieces. Pour the buttermilk into a wide, shallow bowl and season it with 1/2 teaspoon salt and some black pepper. Marinate the catfish in the buttermilk at room temperature for 1 hour.
• In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, the cayenne, and black pepper to taste.
• Drain the catfish in a colander, and lay the pieces on a plate. Season them with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pour about 1 inch of peanut oil into a deep cast-iron skillet and heat it to 350°F over medium heat. In batches, roll the catfish pieces in the flour mixture and gently lay them in the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for about 4 minutes, until golden brown, and then gently flip; cook for 3 minutes or so. When the pieces are evenly crisp and golden brown, transfer them to a clean brown paper bag to drain. Repeat until all the catfish has been fried. Serve with lemon wedges and hot slaw.
• In a medium bowl, combine the cabbage with the lemon and lime juices, sugar, salt, and serrano chile. Let marinate for at least 15 and up to 30 minutes.
• In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, sauté the onion and garlic in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, until fragrant and just starting to color. Raise the heat to high, add the cabbage mixture, and toss until very hot but still crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter and cilantro, tossing well to combine. Taste and season with salt if necessary. Serve hot.

PAN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a large skillet, stir-fry carrots in oil for 1-2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add onion; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add catfish; cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove fish and set aside., Add spinach, in batches, stir-frying until slightly wilted. Return fish to skillet. Sprinkle with vinegar and sugar. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove to a warm serving dish; spoon pan juices over fillets.

PAN-FRIED CATFISH WITH SPICY PECAN GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Place the first seven ingredients in a food processor. Cover and process until chunky; set aside., Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal and Cajun seasoning. Dip fish in buttermilk, then coat with cornmeal mixture., In a large skillet, cook fillets in oil in batches over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with gremolata.

PAN-FRIED CATFISH WITH SPICY PECAN GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Place the first seven ingredients in a food processor. Cover and process until chunky; set aside., Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal and Cajun seasoning. Dip fish in buttermilk, then coat with cornmeal mixture., In a large skillet, cook fillets in oil in batches over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with gremolata.