Description
Crispy Southern fried catfish nuggets deliver a golden crunch straight from Louisiana’s culinary heart. Home cooks can easily craft these irresistible morsels with simple seasonings and a perfect cornmeal coating that promises pure Southern comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 catfish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
Dry Coating Ingredients:
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
Liquid and Cooking Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons mustard
- 3 cups vegetable oil
Optional Dipping Sauces:
- Tartar sauce
- Hot sauce
Flour Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Carefully clean catfish fillets and slice into uniform bite-sized chunks, ensuring even pieces for consistent cooking.
- Generously drizzle mustard over the fish nuggets, creating a tangy base layer that helps seasonings adhere and enhances flavor.
- Sprinkle seasoning salt, freshly ground black pepper, aromatic garlic powder, and vibrant paprika across the fish pieces, massaging the spices thoroughly to coat each morsel completely.
- Craft a crispy coating by whisking cornmeal, flour, and complementary spices in a wide, shallow dish, creating a textured breading mixture.
- Methodically dredge each mustard-coated fish nugget through the seasoned cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to ensure a complete and even coverage.
- Preheat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet to precisely 350°F, creating an ideal frying environment for achieving a golden, crispy exterior.
- Carefully lower seasoned nuggets into the hot oil, working in small batches to maintain optimal oil temperature and prevent overcrowding.
- Fry the nuggets for approximately 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve an uniform, rich golden-brown crust and ensure thorough internal cooking.
- Transfer the crispy nuggets to a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining the coating’s crispness.
- Serve immediately alongside zesty tartar sauce, fiery hot sauce, or fresh lemon wedges for a delightful Southern-style seafood experience.
Notes
- Transforming catfish into crispy, golden nuggets starts with a mustard bath that locks in moisture and adds tangy flavor.
- Seasoning blend combines classic Southern spices, creating a bold coating that elevates simple fish to a crave-worthy snack.
- Cornmeal crusting technique ensures each nugget develops a satisfying crunch, making these bites irresistible for seafood lovers and picky eaters alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg