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Crispy Fried Catfish Recipe with Easy Hot Honey Drizzle for Dinner

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A quick and easy crispy fried catfish recipe paired with a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle that adds a perfect flavor contrast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 to 1½ pounds catfish fillets (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2–3 cups vegetable oil or peanut oil (for frying)
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the catfish fillets, making sure each piece is fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
  2. While the fish marinates, mix the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Stir well to combine all the seasonings evenly.
  3. Pour oil into your skillet to a depth of about 1 to 1½ inches. Heat over medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a pinch of cornmeal into the oil; if it sizzles and rises immediately, the oil is ready.
  4. Remove the catfish from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to adhere a generous coating on all sides.
  5. Carefully place the coated fillets in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping once, until the crust is deep golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
  6. Transfer the fried catfish to the wire rack to drain excess oil. Let it rest for a couple of minutes to keep the crust crispy.
  7. While the fish cooks, gently warm the honey in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the red chili flakes, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for a few minutes to infuse the heat.
  8. Drizzle the hot honey generously over the crispy fried catfish just before serving.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature around 350°F for best results. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid temperature drops. Use a wire rack to drain excess oil and keep crust crispy. Warm honey gently to preserve floral notes. For gluten-free, substitute flour and cornmeal with gluten-free blend or almond flour. For dairy-free, replace buttermilk with non-dairy milk plus lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried catfish, hot honey drizzle, crispy catfish, Southern fried fish, easy dinner, quick fish recipe, spicy honey sauce

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