Fried Alabama Catfish with Sweet Home Raspberry Pepper Jelly

Golden, crispy, and deeply rooted in Southern tradition, Fried Alabama Catfish gets a Sweet Home upgrade with Raspberry Pepper Jelly for a perfect balance of savory crunch and sweet heat.

Golden, crispy, and unmistakably Southern, this Fried Alabama Catfish pairs crunchy cornmeal-crusted fillets with the sweet heat of Sweet Home Foods Raspberry Pepper Jelly. The contrast of savory, flaky catfish and glossy pepper jelly creates a flavor balance that feels both nostalgic and a little unexpected—perfect for weeknight dinners, fish fries, or casual gatherings.

Flavor Profile: Crispy, savory, lightly spiced, with a sweet-heat finish

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lbs fresh Alabama catfish fillets
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying

For Serving

• Sweet Home Foods Raspberry Pepper Jelly
• Lemon wedges (optional)
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep the Fish
   Rinse catfish fillets and pat dry. Cut into serving-size pieces if needed. Soak in buttermilk for 10 minutes to tenderize and mellow the flavor.

2. Mix the Coating
   In a shallow bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

3. Dredge
   Remove catfish from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to coat.

4. Fry
   Heat 1½–2 inches of oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F. Fry catfish in batches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.

5. Serve with Sweet Heat
   Spoon warmed Sweet Home Raspberry Pepper Jelly over the catfish or serve on the side for dipping.

Serving Tips

• Serve with hushpuppies, coleslaw, or skillet-fried potatoes.
• For extra heat, swirl a pinch of cayenne into the warmed pepper jelly.
• This dish also makes an excellent catfish sandwich—add pickles and slaw on a toasted bun.

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