Catfish Bites Recipe
Fried catfish served with a spicy dipping sauce.
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Ingredients
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Catfish Bites
Spicy Dipping Sauce
Method
Catfish Bites
- 1
Prepare the Catfish
Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the fillets into bite-sized pieces.
- 2
Prepare the Breading
In a shallow bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- 3
Dredge the Catfish
Dip each piece of catfish into the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat it in the cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
- 4
Heat the Oil
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 5
Fry the Catfish Bites
Working in batches, carefully add the coated catfish pieces to the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- 6
Drain and Serve
Once cooked, remove the catfish bites from the skillet and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve warm.
Spicy Dipping Sauce
- 7
Combine Ingredients
In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, and salt until well combined.
- 8
Chill
Cover the dipping sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- 9
Serve
Serve the spicy dipping sauce alongside the fried catfish bites.