Description
Catfish nuggets are bite-sized pieces of catfish fillets, breaded and fried to golden perfection. A Southern classic, these crispy, crunchy nuggets are ideal for appetizers, snacks, or a main dish, paired with savory sides and tangy sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound catfish fillets, cut into 1–2 inch pieces
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- 2 cups oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
Instructions
- Rinse catfish fillets and pat dry. Cut into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Soak the catfish pieces in buttermilk (or milk) for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- In a separate dish, mix cornmeal, flour, and spices to create the breading.
- Coat each piece of catfish in the breading and let rest for a few minutes.
- Heat oil in a skillet to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Fry the nuggets in batches for 3-5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and drain excess oil on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt.
Notes
For a healthier alternative, consider baking or air-frying the catfish nuggets instead of deep-frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 100g
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Catfish nuggets, fried catfish, Southern recipe, fish nuggets, crispy catfish