Cornmeal-Style Fried Catfish

📍 Where this dish comes from: Charleston, South Carolina · Rainbow Row
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No soul food seafood chapter is complete without a proper fried catfish, the centerpiece of every fish fry from a church parking lot to a family reunion. A blend of almond flour and flaxseed meal recreates that same coarse, crunchy crust that cornmeal is famous for.

What You’ll Need

Cornmeal-Style Fried Catfish

Golden, crisp-fried catfish fillets with the same gritty crust a Southern fish fry is known for.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 420kcal

Ingredients

• 4 catfish fillets about 6 oz each
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/3 cup golden flaxseed meal
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 large eggs beaten
• 1/2 cup avocado oil for frying
• Lemon wedges, for serving

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Instructions

• In a shallow bowl, mix almond flour, flaxseed meal, smoked paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder.
• Dip each catfish fillet in beaten egg, then press firmly into the flour mixture, coating both sides.
• Heat avocado oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
• Fry fillets 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
• Drain on paper towels and serve hot with lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 420kcal | Protein: 34g | Fat: 28g | Fiber: 2g

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Health Benefits

• Almond flour and flaxseed provide healthy fats and fiber in place of refined cornmeal.
• Catfish is a lean protein source rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Frying in avocado oil provides a higher smoke point and more stable fats than many vegetable oils.

Pairs Well With

• Pan-Fried Okra, Cornmeal-Style Crust
• Cucumber and Vidalia Onion Salad