Ingredients
- 1½ lbs Catfish fillets, cut into bite-sized nuggets
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
1. Marinate the catfish
In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add catfish nuggets and soak for 20–30 minutes.
2. Prepare the coating
In another bowl, mix:
- cornmeal
- flour
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- cayenne
- salt and pepper
3. Coat the nuggets
Remove catfish from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned coating until fully covered.
4. Fry
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
Fry nuggets in batches for 3–5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- tartar sauce
- remoulade
- hot sauce
- lemon wedges
- coleslaw
- fries or hush puppies
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer; it lowers the oil temperature.
- For extra crunch, double-dip in buttermilk and coating.
- Use peanut or vegetable oil for best frying results.
