Golden Fried Catfish with Cajun Spiced Cornmeal

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Crispy golden fried catfish fillets coated in a flavorful Cajun-spiced cornmeal crust, perfect for a Southern-style weekend meal. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, buttermilk, cornmeal for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pour 1 cup buttermilk into a shallow bowl and soak 4 catfish fillets for 15 minutes to tenderize and add moisture.
  2. Step 2: In another shallow bowl, combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, mixing well.
  3. Step 3: Heat about 3 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove each catfish fillet from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Fry the coated fillets in the hot oil for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, turning carefully once; the internal temperature should reach 145°F.
  6. Step 6: Drain the fried catfish on a wire rack or paper towels and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

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