If you want a sandwich you can sink your teeth into then you have to try this fish sandwich! Fried catfish tastes amazing served up piled high in a hoagie and smothered in a simple aioli. This sandwich recipe is going to change the way you think about fish sandwiches!
I don’t fry do a lot of fried fish, but if there is one fish I absolutely love to consume goldenly fried, and crispy it is catfish! Catfish has a stronger flavor than maybe tilapia but it is a sturdy fish that can stand up to flavor and frying!
There isn’t much to frying fish; you need a sturdy pan, oil, and a few things to coat your fish. The end results are amazing!
How To Make Fried Catfish Fillets
STEP ONE – Place vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven and allow the oil to heat up to 350-375 degrees.
STEP TWO – Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl, Place bread crumbs, panko flour, and salt in another shallow bowl.
STEP THREE – Working with one fillet at a time, soak the fillets in buttermilk, dredge it in the flour mixture and fry fillets for 6-7 minutes or until golden brown, turn your fish and fry the second side until it is also golden brown. Drain your deep-fried fish on a baking sheet covered in paper towels.
STEP FOUR – Prepare the aioli by whisking together mayo, garlic, lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
To assemble the sandwich. Place one catfish filet on a hoagie roll, top with lettuce and tomato slices. Spread aioli on the top bun.
Why Is My Fried Catfish Mushy?
The oil temperature has the biggest influence on the outcome of your catfish. If you add your fish to the oil before it has had time to come to temperature then the breading on your fish will absorb all the oil, become soggy and give you mushy fish.
To get perfectly fried fish, it is important that your oil is at the correct temperature. Using a cooking thermometer is the best way to make sure your oil is brought to temperature.
The other thing to remember is to avoid crowding your pan while frying. Only work with 2 -3 catfish fillets at a time.
How Do You Know When Catfish Is Done?
The catfish will only take about 6 to 7 minutes per side to fry until golden brown; the fish should flakes easily with a fork.
A simple test for properly fried catfish is to lift the fried fillet by one end, if it doesn’t wilt then it is done!
Fried Catfish Recipe Tips
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- If you do not have buttermilk (I rarely do) place 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and add enough milk to yield 1 cup. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
- You can add seasoning to your flour mixture beyond salt and pepper. You can also whisk in garlic powder, onion powder, parsley flakes, paprika, cayenne pepper or Old Bay Seasoning.
- As you add fish to your hot oil, make sure you avoid overcrowding your pan. This will cause the oil temperature to go down, which will require you to fry your fish longer.
- Allow your fish to drain before serving.
- Add your favorite toppings to your sandwich; pickles, red onions, banana peppers are all yummy options!
- Swap out your favorite tartar sauce for the aioli if you prefer.
What Sides Go With Fried Catfish?
You can keep it simple and serve up potato chips with your sandwich, or you can try this dill pickle pasta salad,refrigerator pickles, this easy cole slaw recipe, grilled potato salad, or this black bean salad!
If you love this catfish recipe, try my southern fried catfish, baked catfish nuggets, conch fritters, baked cod or this shrimp po boy!
Fried Catfish Sandwich
If you want a sandwich you can sink your teeth into then you have to try this fish sandwich! Fried catfish tastes amazing served up piled high in a hoagie and smothered in a simple aioli. This sandwich recipe is going to change the way you think about fish sandwiches!
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups Panko
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup flour
- oil for frying
- salt and pepper
- ¼ cup mayo
- Splash of lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sandwich rolls 4
- Lettuce
Instructions
- Place vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven and allow the oil to heat up to 350-375 degrees.
- Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl, Place bread crumbs, panko flour, and salt and pepper in another shallow bowl.
- Working with one fillet at a time, soak the fillets in buttermilk, dredge it in the flour mixture and fry fillets in the hot oil for 6-7 minutes or until golden brown, turn your fish and fry the second side until it is also golden brown. Drain your deep-fried fish on a baking sheet covered in paper towels.
- Prepare the aioli by whisking together mayo, garlic, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
- To assemble the sandwich. Place one catfish filet on a hoagie roll, top with lettuce and tomato slices. Spread aioli on the top bun.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 747Total Fat 30gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 102mgSodium 2867mgCarbohydrates 76gFiber 5gSugar 6gProtein 41g
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