# Skillet Fried Catfish

Updated: 2026-10-25

By Chef Pierre. Skillet Fried Catfish is a home recipe from Fountain View Fish Market in Houston, family run since 1972. It serves 4. Catfish fillets in seasoned cornmeal, fried in a skillet until the crust is brown and the fish flakes.

Serves 4 · 35 minutes · Updated 2026-10-25


## Why this recipe works

Cornmeal fries up crisper than flour alone on catfish. A moderate oil temperature, around 350 F, browns the coat in the same time it takes the fillet to cook through.

## Substitutions

Swai fillets, cut to a similar thickness. Swai is milder. The market will also fry catfish for you.

## Ingredients

- 4 catfish fillets, about 6 ounces each
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 cup milk
- Neutral oil, for a half-inch depth
- Lemon wedges

## Steps

1. Pat the fillets dry. Stir the cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne.
2. Dip each fillet in milk, then press it into the cornmeal. Heat a half inch of oil to 350 F.
3. Fry in two batches until both sides are brown and the thickest part reads about 145 F and flakes, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
4. Drain on a rack and serve with lemon.

## Get it at the fresh counter

**Catfish.** Get it at the fresh counter. Ask for catfish fillets.

Buy and Fry: pick it at the fresh counter and have it fried. There is no charge to cook.

HTML page: https://www.fountainviewfishmarket.com/recipes/skillet-fried-catfish