Whole30 Southern Fried Catfish Fillet

Dive into the flavors of the South with this Whole30 Southern Fried Catfish Fillet recipe—a wholesome twist on a classic comfort dish! This recipe swaps traditional breading for a crave-worthy coating of almond flour, arrowroot powder, and coconut flour, seasoned to perfection with smoky paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of cayenne pepper for optional heat. Fried to golden-brown perfection in nutrient-rich avocado oil, these fillets are irresistibly crispy on the outside while tender and flaky on the inside. Perfect for those following a Whole30 or gluten-free diet, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for weeknight dinners or Southern-inspired gatherings. Serve with fresh lemon wedges for a zesty finish, and enjoy a guilt-free take on a beloved classic!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces catfish fillets
• 1 cup almond flour
• 0.5 cup arrowroot powder
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
• 0.5 cup avocado oil
• 1 whole (for serving) lemon wedges

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and pat dry the catfish fillets with paper towels. Ensure there is no excess moisture for better breading adherence.

Step 2

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the almond flour, arrowroot powder, coconut flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). This is your breading mixture.

Step 3

In a separate shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the unsweetened almond milk until fully combined. This will serve as the egg wash.

Step 4

Set up a dredging station: First, dip each catfish fillet into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Next, coat the fillet in the breading mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even crust. Shake off any loose breading. Repeat for all fillets.

Step 5

Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. The oil should be hot enough that a small drop of the breading sizzles immediately when added.

Step 6

Carefully place the breaded catfish fillets into the hot oil, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the fish should reach 145°F (63°C).

Step 7

Transfer the cooked fillets to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Step 8

Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1029.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2646.5

Total Fat 180.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 652mg	0%
Sodium 3926.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.0g	0%
Total Sugars 8.3g
Protein 112.2g	0%

Vitamin D 93.0IU	0%
Calcium 464.9mg	0%
Iron 11.6mg	0%
Potassium 1742.6mg	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: 60.2%

Protein: 16.6%

Carbs: 23.2%