Fried Catfish Strips

Name: Fried Catfish Strips
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 2 lbs catfish fillets, sliced; 1 cup yellow cornmeal; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 1 cup buttermilk; 2 tsp hot sauce; 4 cups vegetable oil

Crispy cornmeal-crusted catfish strips seasoned with Cajun spices and fried to a golden crunch. Serves well with fresh lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

25 minEasyServes 4460 cal/serving

CajunDinnerStovetopPescatarianHigh ProteinHalal-friendlyNut-FreeShellfish-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeSesame-Free

Ingredients

2 lbs catfish fillets, sliced
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 cup buttermilk
2 tsp hot sauce
4 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

1

Whisk 1 cup buttermilk and 2 tsp hot sauce together in a shallow bowl.
2

In a separate shallow dish, combine 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning.
3

Pour 4 cups vegetable oil into a heavy skillet until it reaches a depth of one inch, then heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
4

Dip 2 lbs sliced catfish fillets into the buttermilk mixture, then coat thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture.
5

Fry the strips in batches for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
6

Transfer cooked fish to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain before serving.

Questions

Can I make Fried Catfish Strips dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1 cup buttermilk. Swap the buttermilk for plant milk soured with a teaspoon of vinegar per cup. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Fried Catfish Strips gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Fried Catfish Strips keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within two days (seafood turns fast). Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Can I halve or double Fried Catfish Strips?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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