Cat's Meow Catfish

Dive into the irresistibly crispy and flavorful world of *Cat’s Meow Catfish*, a Southern-inspired recipe that takes fried catfish to a whole new level. This dish features tender, marinated catfish fillets soaked in a zesty buttermilk and hot sauce mixture, ensuring every bite is infused with bold flavor. The fish is then coated in a perfectly seasoned cornmeal and flour blend, with hints of paprika, garlic, and cayenne for a satisfying crunch and a touch of spice. Fried to golden perfection, these fillets are best served hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon and classic Southern sides like coleslaw or fries for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this fried catfish recipe will have everyone raving!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces catfish fillets
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 4 pieces lemon wedges

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce.

Step 2

Place the catfish fillets into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to marinate, or up to 2 hours for extra flavor.

Step 3

In a shallow dish, combine cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

Step 4

Remove the catfish fillets from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, and dredge them in the cornmeal mixture. Make sure each fillet is evenly coated.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. The oil should reach about 350°F (175°C). To test, drop a small piece of the coating mixture into the oil—it should sizzle immediately.

Step 6

Carefully place the coated catfish fillets into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Step 7

Remove the fillets from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess grease.

Step 8

Serve the Cat's Meow Catfish hot with lemon wedges on the side for an added zest. Pair with coleslaw, fries, or your favorite Southern sides.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1675.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5305.2

Total Fat 454.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 73.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 269.8g
Cholesterol 333.7mg	0%
Sodium 3814.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 237.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.2g	0%
Total Sugars 26.2g
Protein 111.5g	0%

Vitamin D 253.8IU	0%
Calcium 650.7mg	0%
Iron 10.9mg	0%
Potassium 2384.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 74.6%

Protein: 8.1%

Carbs: 17.3%