This Fish Fry Seasoning combines yellow cornmeal with Old Bay, lemon pepper, salt, black pepper, and granulated garlic. It’s our favorite coating for catfish, crappie, bream, whiting, or whatever we reel in. Ready to upgrade your next fish fry?
Frying fish on the weekend is a family tradition for us — as familiar as ordering pizza on a Friday night. My personal favorite is southern-style catfish, while Marrekus prefers whiting. A simple fish fry brings everyone to the table, even the picky eaters.
The fish fry is a Southern tradition and a staple at family gatherings. In many Black communities, learning to fry fish is a rite of passage, and we love sharing that experience with friends and family.
What makes our fry special is the seasoning blend. If you live near the Chesapeake Bay like we do, Old Bay is the easy choice. If you prefer a different flavor profile, seasoned salt can be substituted — just adjust or omit the added kosher salt. For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne; for more depth, a little granulated onion works well.
Ingredients
- 3 cups yellow cornmeal
- 4 teaspoons Old Bay
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
How to Make Fish Fry Seasoning
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until evenly combined. Transfer the blend to an airtight container. Stored at room temperature, the seasoning will keep for up to six months. Simple, shelf-stable, and ready whenever you want to fry.
Why yellow cornmeal?
Yellow cornmeal is classic in Southern frying. It forms a golden, crunchy crust when fried and gives that authentic texture and color everyone expects from a southern-style fish fry.
How much fish fry seasoning should I use?
A good guideline is about 1 ½ cups of the seasoning mix for every 1 ½ to 2 pounds of fish. Adjust to taste based on how heavily seasoned you like your crust.
What types of fish is this seasoning best suited for?
This blend works particularly well with catfish, whiting, crappie, bream, and similar freshwater species such as bigmouth buffalo. It produces a crisp, flavorful coating without overpowering the fish.
Can I use this seasoning for other foods, like chicken or vegetables?
This mix is formulated for fish. For fried chicken or pork chops, a flour-based dredge with different spices is usually better suited to achieve the traditional texture and flavor of those dishes.
Have you tried our Fish Fry Seasoning? Leave a comment and tell us how it turned out. If you share photos or videos of your fry, tag @cookswithsoul on social platforms so we can see and share your results with our community.
📖 Recipe
Fish Fry Seasoning
Krysten Wilkes & Marrekus Wilkes
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Ingredients
- 3 cups yellow cornmeal
- 4 teaspoons Old Bay
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.