How to Make Cajun Fried Catfish

Fried catfish is a great Southern tradition for many people. Add the proper spices and flavor to kick your fried catfish up a notch to make it Cajun style.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Large piece of wax paper
• Enough cooking oil to cover the fillets when cooking (amount varies depending on the size of fry pan or deep fryer you have)
• 1 cup yellow corn meal
• 1 paper bag
• 2 tsp. coriander seeds
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cup
• Thermometer for the cooking oil
• 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
• Catfish fillets for each person to have 3 to 4 pieces
• Large frying pan or deep fryer
• 2 tsp. yellow mustard seeds
• 3 tsp. Tony Chachere's seasoning

Instructions

Make Fast and Simple Cajun Fried Catfish

1. Place the yellow corn meal, Tony Chachere's seasoning, coriander seeds, yellow mustard seeds and Cayenne pepper in the paper bag and shake the bag well to mix up the ingredients.

2. Turn the deep fryer on to 325 degrees F or place the frying pan over the stove with the temperature on high. Fill with oil.

3. Place the thermometer in the cooking oil and watch the temperature closely.

4. Rinse the catfish fillets thoroughly and remove excess water by patting the fillets with a paper towel. Place cleaned fillets on the wax paper.

5. Pick up one fillet at a time and place it in the bag with the seasonings. Shake the bag well to coat the fish fillet and then place the fillets back on the wax paper. Coat each fillet.

6. Wait for the oil temperature to reach 325 degrees F before you add the fish to the oil. If you reach 325 degrees F before the fish is properly coated, adjust the heat to keep the temperature stable.

7. Drop catfish fillets into the oil one at a time in a single layer. Put as many fillets in at once as you can, but do not overfill your pan or deep fryer. You want the oil to reach all sides of the fillets.

8. Fry the Cajun catfish for approximately 5 minutes.

9. Set out several paper towels to lay the catfish on as you bring each piece out of the oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Catch your own catfish to have the freshest fish possible. The fresher the fish, the better the flavor will be.

• Make some other classic foods to go with your catfish like hush puppies, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese and collard greens.

• Make sure you cook the Cajun catfish at the right temperature to lock in the moisture and flavor of the fish.