Fried Catfish Nuggets – Immaculate Bites

Secrets of the best catfish nuggets

It’s all in the seasoning, baby! Season the fish with salt and pepper, Creole and Italian seasoning It’s spicy, earthy and incorporates umami. And seasoned cornmeal, rather than plain flour, brings out the best in those flavors.

recipe ingredients

The list is a little long, but don’t worry, it’s easy to find.

1. catfish – Frozen or raw catfish will suffice. I prefer to buy the whole fillet and slice it myself.
2. seasoning – We use two seasoning blends. Italian and creole seasoning, get a taste party. The nuggets taste even better when they’re garlicky and spicy, so add garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
3. dry ingredients – Flour and cornmeal make great crumbs. Use all-purpose flour for the first coating and seasoned cornmeal for the final coating.
4. liquid ingredients – The eggs help the bread crumbs stick, and the buttermilk helps the eggs stick to the fish.

How to make fried catfish nuggets

prepare the catfish nuggets

• Preparation – Thaw catfish (if frozen), wash fillets and pat dry with paper towels. Slice them into 1 inch slices. Make sure you slice them evenly so they cook evenly. Transfer the fish to a shallow plate and set aside. (photo1)
• season – Mix seasonings in a small mixing bowl. Garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, Creole seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper. Mix well. Season catfish with 2 teaspoons of seasoning mix and mix to coat completely. (Photos 2-4)
• bread crumbs – Get 3 small, shallow bowls. Add flour to first bowl, beat buttermilk and eggs in second bowl, and cornmeal and remaining seasonings in third bowl. Arrange them in order of ease of application. (photograph 5-7)
• coat – Working in batches, fish nuggets are dipped in flour to coat (shake off excess), dipped in buttermilk and egg mixture (excess dripped into bowl for 1-2 seconds), then seasoned. Dip in the cornmeal mixture. , make sure it is fully coated. (Photos 8-10)
• holiday – Shake off excess cornmeal mixture and place nuggets of nuggets in one layer on plate while you coat with remaining bread crumbs. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes to help the cornmeal mixture stick to the fish. (Photo 11)

cook them

• hot oil – Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• fry – When the oil is hot (350℉/177℃), use tongs to drop a few nuggets into the oil. (Don’t overfill the pan so the oil is hot enough to fully crisp the nuggets). Fry until golden brown and crisp, then he grills each side of the fish for 3-4 minutes. Repeat until all catfish nuggets are fried. (Photo 12)
• serve – Transfer the fried nuggets to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Let cool for about 2 minutes, then serve immediately with ranch dip, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauce.

recipe variations

1. fish swap – Try this recipe with other white fish such as tilapia, cod, flounder and swaifish.You can also try it with scallops and mussels. Hmmm!
2. hot flavor – Add chili powder or pepper flakes to the batter to tantalize your taste buds. homemade pepper sauce.
3. deep-fried – Make it healthier by using an air fryer or baking. Just spray it with a little cooking oil before putting it in the oven or air fryer and it will surely taste good.
4. Saucy – Dip these fish nuggets into your favorite sauce for extra flavor. barbecue again buffalo Catfish nuggets are good!

tips and tricks

1. Catfish fillets can be marinated in buttermilk with some spices for a tender and flavorful fillet.
2. Drain excess oil on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to keep the nuggets crisp.
3. Overstuffing the pan can cause the oil temperature to drop and the nuggets to become soggy. Be patient and fry in batches.

advance instructions

To make nuggets of stress-free nuggets, prepare the fish and breadcrumbs according to the instructions, then arrange on a baking sheet and quick freeze for an hour or two. Once frozen, transfer the nuggets to a suitable freezer ziplock bag for storage. frozen for up to 6 months.

To enjoy crispy and hot fish nuggets, 350°F/177°C for 15-20 minutes in the oven again 8-10 minutes in an air fryer.

How to eat and store

I have never eaten leftovers, but they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days and in the freezer for 1-2 months.

To enjoy warm fish nuggets, bake them in a preheated oven at 10°C. 15-20 minutes at 350°F/177°C. or Air fryer at same temperature for 8-10 minutesIt will be as crispy as before and can be dipped in your favorite sauce or served as a side dish to pasta or salad.

FAQ

What to serve with fried catfish nuggets

Fried nuggets nuggets are a fun treat, but wait until you pair them Cajun Baked Sweet Potato Fries and easy coleslawAnd you can make a refreshing pitcher lemonade At the end of the day.

Delicious fish recipes to try

1. blackened catfish
2. Kamaboko
3. Caribbean fish stew
4. fish and grits
5. fried fish sandwich

Conclusion

Crispy, tender and flaky catfish in bite-sized pieces for kids are a sure winner. Want more delicious comfort food recipes? Then follow me Facebook.❤️