Southern-Style Fried Shellcrackers Recipe

Redear sunfish are delicious any way you prepare them, but this simple, traditional recipe is hard to beat.

June 28, 2021 By Keith Sutton

Print Recipe

Southern-Style Fried Shellcrackers

Serves: 4-5
Prep time: 15 minutes+ 1-2 hours marinating time
Cook time: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pounds pan-dressed shellcrackers (scales, heads and entrails removed)
3 ounces Louisiana hot sauce
4 cups milk
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup flour
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Peanut oil for frying

Directions:

Marinate the fish for 1 to 2 hours in a mixture of hot sauce and milk. Remove fish and drain.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large plastic bag. Add one or two fish at a time and shake to coat.
Cook the fish in 2 inches of peanut oil in a deep fryer heated to 365 degrees. Fry until the thickest part of the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove and drain on paper towels.
Repeat with remaining fish.

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Southern-Style Fried Shellcrackers Recipe

Redear sunfish are delicious any way you prepare them, but this simple, traditional recipe is hard to beat.

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