Simple is best, and this Southern fried catfish is no exception. The easy dinner only requires a handful of pantry staples, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes. To make a traditional dinner that everyone at the table will love, serve the crispy pan-fried fish with sides like Jiffy cornbread with creamed corn, traditional coleslaw, or flaky biscuits.
If you like simple fish recipes, try this baked catfish with a Southern cornmeal crust, this grilled salmon that only takes 15 minutes, and this tilapia that only needs 5 ingredients.
Planning a fish fry for family and friends? A fish fry just isn’t complete without piles of golden, crispy fried fish. But how much should you make per person? Getting the right amount ensures everyone gets plenty while avoiding wasted leftovers.
Here’s a handy guide to help calculate the perfect fried fish quantities for your next fish fry event
Why Have a Fish Fry?
A fish fry is a wonderful way to gather people together for delicious comfort food and good times. The laidback, informal vibe makes it an ideal choice for
- Large groups like family reunions or church functions
- Community events and fundraisers
- Casual backyard parties and summer celebrations
Fried fish is the star at any fish fry It’s usually served buffet-style so guests can help themselves Classic sides like french fries, coleslaw, hushpuppies, and potato salad round out the meal.
With its focus on fried fish, a fish fry has a fun, casual atmosphere. The goal is to relax and enjoy the company and delicious food.
Figuring How Much Fish Per Person
Obviously the most important decision for your fish fry is how much fried fish to make per person. You want plenty so your guests can enjoy seconds and thirds if they wish. But you also don’t want to be stuck with lots of leftovers.
Here are some tips on calculating the right amount of fish for your hungry crowd:
Choose Mild White Fish
The traditional choices for fish fry battering and frying include:
- Catfish – The most popular option. It has a mild flavor and holds up well when fried.
- Cod – With flaky white meat, cod fries up deliciously crispy.
- Tilapia – An affordable option with a mild taste. It also makes great fish tacos.
- Flounder – A delicate white fish that fries up tender and delicious.
These mild white fish fillets nicely soak up the flavors of your fish fry breading and turn golden and crispy when fried.
Allow 8-12 Ounces Per Person
As a general guideline, plan on providing:
- 8 oz raw fish per person for lighter appetites
- 10-12 oz raw fish per person for heartier appetites
Frying will yield around 6-9 oz cooked fish per serving after accounting for moisture loss.
Fry 2-3 Pieces Per Person
- For smaller 3-4 oz fillets, fry 2-3 pieces per person.
- For larger 6-8 oz fillets or fish steaks, fry 2 pieces per person.
Frying multiple smaller fillets rather than 1 large piece gives you more crispy coating and frying surface area to enjoy.
For Larger Groups, Plan 1 Pound Per Person
For big gatherings and all-you-can-eat style fish fries:
- Estimate buying 1 pound of raw fish per person.
- This provides plenty of wiggle room for extra helpings.
Handy Fish Amounts for Different Group Sizes
Use these estimates when calculating how much fish to buy and fry for your crowd:
Fish Fry for 2:
- 12-16 oz raw fish
- Fry into 2-3 fillets each
Fish Fry for 8:
- 2 pounds raw fish
- Fry 16-24 fillets total
Fish Fry for 20:
- 5 pounds raw fish
- Fry 40-60 fillets total
Fish Fry for 50:
- 12 pounds raw fish
- Fry 100-150 fillets total
Fish Fry for 100:
- 25 pounds raw fish
- Fry 200-300 fillets total
Tips for Delicious Fried Fish
Frying fish is easier than you think, but there are some handy tricks for the best results:
- Dry fish fillets well before coating so the breading sticks.
- Use a thermometer to maintain 350-375°F oil temperature.
- Fry in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan.
- Let oil reheat between batches for even cooking.
- Fry fish 2-5 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Check internal temperature, remove at 145°F.
- Let rest 5 minutes, internal temperature will rise to 160°F.
Perfect Sides for Your Fish Fry
Round out your fish fry meal with these classic side dishes:
- Crispy french fries – The perfect pairing with fried fish!
- Cole slaw – Cool and creamy, it balances the crispy fish.
- Hushpuppies – Who doesn’t love these fried cornmeal treats?
- Tartar sauce and lemon wedges – Must-haves for squeezing and dipping.
- Potato salad or baked beans – Savory, satisfying additions.
With crispy, golden fried fish and favorite fixings, you can relax and enjoy a wonderful fish fry with family and friends. Use this handy guide to determine just the right amount of fish for your crew. Then get ready for delicious food and good times!
How to Fry Catfish | 1-Minute Video
- Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This is the best seafood you’ll ever taste! The outside is golden and super-crispy, and the inside is light, tender, and flaky. Come to my fish fry with me! I’m making southern pan-fried catfish.
- Affordable. Want to get your family to eat more seafood (or just break up the chicken rut)? If you live in the middle of nowhere, it can be hard to find tasty fish that is also easy to get. Our grocery store doesn’t even have a seafood section, but I know I can always find cheap catfish at the country market.
- Easy. This recipe for Southern fried catfish uses the easy steps of dredging the fish in seasoned cornmeal and cooking it in a pan with butter and oil. You don’t need to use a deep fryer because the catfish filets are already crispy, taste great, and cook quickly. It takes about 20 minutes to make this whole meal.
A quick list of the simple things you’ll need for a simple catfish recipe that is pan-fried There is always a printable recipe box at the bottom of the post with exact measurements and full cooking instructions.
- Catfish fillets: you’ll need about 1 pound, and each one should weigh about 3–4 ounces. People like to eat catfish because it has a lot of protein and not much fat or calories. The Environmental Protection Agency says that catfish is one of the five most popular fish that are low in mercury and high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Catfish raised in farms is a safe, clean, and environmentally friendly seafood choice (source). Yes, frozen catfish that has been thawed overnight in the fridge works great in this recipe.
- Yellow cornmeal gives the fish a crispy outside.
- Sea salt, like Lawry’s brand, which has salt, herbs, and spices in it to quickly and easily give the crust great flavor
- To make the cornmeal taste even better, add black pepper and garlic powder.
- Milk: helps the cornmeal mixture adhere to the fish. You can use buttermilk for a rich, tangy flavor instead.
- Vegetable oil and butter: for frying the fish. The smoke point of the oil is higher, and the butter makes it taste great. You can use peanut oil or canola oil instead, which are both mild oils.
This simple recipe for fried catfish is so quick and easy to make! The full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here’s a quick rundown:
- In a shallow dish, use a whisk to mix the dry breading ingredients (cornmeal and seasonings).
- Pour milk into a separate shallow bowl.
- To wet the fish, dip it in the milk and then shake off the extra. Some people like to soak catfish in milk or buttermilk to get rid of a fishy smell or taste, but it’s not necessary.
- Place the fish fillets in the cornmeal mixture and coat them all over with oil.
- Put oil and butter in a hot cast iron skillet or Dutch oven and fry the catfish. Because the catfish is thin, it cooks all the way through while the outside gets a beautiful, golden brown crust. You don’t have to burn the outside to finish cooking the inside, and you don’t have to move the skillet to the oven to finish baking. The catfish will take about 5-7 minutes per side. It is done when it turns cloudy and flakes off easily with a fork.
- By putting a wire rack over a baking sheet, you can keep the fish warm while you fry more. Place the fried fish on the wire rack and cook it in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes, or until you’re ready to serve the meal. Do not wrap or cover the cooked fish with foil. The exterior will not stay crispy if you do so.
- How to Store: The fish should be served hot, straight from the fryer. If you put leftovers in a container that doesn’t let air in, they will last for about two days in the fridge.
- How to Freeze: You can freeze the leftover fried fish for up to one month if you need to keep it for longer. But keep in mind that this crispy catfish will get a little soggy after a while in the fridge.
- To Reheat: If you want to keep the crispy outside, the oven is the best place to reheat your fried catfish. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set the fish out on the counter to warm up while the oven gets ready. On a baking sheet, put the fish fillets. Warm them up in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they’re just warm.
- Cooking just for two? Cut the ingredients in half. The rest of the instructions remain the same.
- This is a mild fish. Just a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce in the milk will give it some heat if you like.
- Mix additional herbs and seasonings into the cornmeal breading. Try thyme, rosemary, chives, or parsley. You could try Old Bay seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, Creole or Cajun seasoning, paprika or onion powder.
- Put the fillets of fried fish on hoagie rolls and top them with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce.
- Put fried catfish fillets in taco shells or tortillas and top them with fresh salsa, guacamole, and all of your other favorite Mexican-style toppings.
- Each time you dredge the fish, make sure to shake off the extra milk and cornmeal so that each piece only has a light coating.
- Depending on how big your pan is, you might have to fry the fish in several batches so that the pan doesn’t get too full. That way, the oil will stay at a steady temperature, and the fish fillets will be crispy instead of soggy.
- Put lemon wedges and fresh parsley on top of the fried catfish to make it look extra bright.
- If you want, you can add more kosher salt and ground black pepper to the catfish while it’s still warm.
Southern Fried Catfish: How to cook this delicious fish
How many fried fish per person?
You can make fried fish go further by coating it with a bater, cornmeal or breadcrumbs. You will need 100 fillets, allowing for 2 per person – and that will feed 50 people. Or 42 lb of raw fish fillet. You will need 200 fillets. This will allow you to serve 2 fried fish per person.
How much fish should I eat per person?
Factors such as appetite, dietary restrictions, and the type of fish can all play a role in determining the appropriate serving size. One general rule of thumb is to plan for about 6 ounces of fish per person. However, this can vary depending on the factors mentioned above.
How much weight can you lose frying fish?
The answer is on average around 24% of weight loss on frying or cooking. So if you have an 8oz fish fillet after you fry it the weight of the pan fried fish will be a little under 6 oz. How Much Fried Fish per person for a Party? How much fish to fry per person- You should serve 6 oz of fish per person at a party.
How many ounces of fish per person?
One general rule of thumb is to plan for about 6 ounces of fish per person. However, this can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. For example, if you are serving a rich, fatty fish like salmon, you may want to plan for a slightly smaller portion size.