Ken's Beer Batter Fried Catfish

Crispy, golden, and irresistibly flavorful, Ken's Beer Batter Fried Catfish takes your seafood game to the next level with its light and airy batter infused with the malty richness of beer. This Southern classic combines tender catfish fillets with a perfectly seasoned coating featuring paprika, garlic powder, and a touch of optional cayenne for a kick of heat. The key to achieving that signature crunch lies in dredging the fish in cornstarch for better batter adhesion and frying it to perfection in hot oil. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this quick and easy recipe is ideal for a weekend fish fry or a casual family dinner. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or your favorite side dishes for a mouthwatering meal that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Catfish fillets
• 1 cup Beer (pale ale or lager)
• 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 4 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
• 0.5 cup Cornstarch (for dredging)
• 2 pieces Lemon wedges

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Slowly pour in the beer while whisking the dry ingredients, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and slightly thick. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or frying pot over medium-high heat (approximately 350°F to 375°F).

Step 5

While the oil heats, lightly coat each catfish fillet in cornstarch, shaking off any excess. This helps the batter adhere better to the fish.

Step 6

Dip each fillet into the beer batter, ensuring it is completely coated, then carefully lower it into the hot oil.

Step 7

Fry the catfish in batches, 2 fillets at a time, to avoid crowding the pan. Cook each fillet for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the batter is golden brown and crispy.

Step 8

Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the fried catfish to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Step 9

Repeat the frying process with the remaining fillets.

Step 10

Serve the fried catfish hot with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish. Pair with tartar sauce, coleslaw, or your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1862.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9564.2

Total Fat 959.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 138.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 280mg	0%
Sodium 3025.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 212.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.7g	0%
Total Sugars 1.0g
Protein 95.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 93.1mg	0%
Iron 10.6mg	0%
Potassium 1571.9mg	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: 87.6%

Protein: 3.9%

Carbs: 8.6%