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Enjoy the delicious taste and perfect crisp of Air Fryer Catfish, an easy and healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried catfish. This recipe captures all the Southern charm and flavor in a simple, less oily preparation.

Air Fried Catfish on a plate with corn and vegetables and a lemon wedge.

Table of Contents

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Catfish Recipe

This Air Fryer Catfish utilizes seasoned breading for a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the fish moist and tender inside. It’s a quick meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or a leisurely weekend dinner.

This recipe combines mild white fish with flavorful breading, giving you a crispy crust and delicious flavor.

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You’ll love this easy meal because it only requires simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. In addition, this recipe is an easy way to cook fish that doesn’t require much skill, making it an excellent recipe for beginner cooks.

Lastly, this delicious Air Fryer Catfish pairs well with many side dishes, making it a versatile weeknight meal you can experiment with. So, grab your Air Fryer, and let’s dive into how to make this easy dinner recipe.

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Ingredients

  • Catfish Fillets: Known for their mild, sweet flavor, making them perfect for breading and air frying.
  • Fish Fry Breading: I prefer using the Louisiana brand for its perfect blend of spices that complements the catfish.
  • Lemon: Adds a zesty, fresh flavor that enhances the fish when squeezed over just before serving.
  • Olive Oil: Used to spray the fillets to ensure they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer
Three ingredient air fryer catfish - ingredients needed to make catfish in the air fryer.

How to Cook Catfish in the Air Fryer

STEP 1 – Begin by preheating your Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking.

STEP 2 – Rinse the catfish fillets under cold water, then pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the breading sticks well.

STEP 3 – Place the seasoned fish fry breading into a shallow bowl. Coat each fillet evenly in the breading, then spray all sides of the fillets with olive oil to help achieve that desired crispy finish.

Catfish being dipped into the breading before cooking.

STEP 4 – Arrange the breaded catfish in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the fillets over and cook for another 10 minutes.

Breaded catfish fillets in the basket of the air fryer, ready to cook.

STEP 5 – For extra crispiness, flip the catfish once more and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Air fried catfish in the basket of the air fryer, ready to serve.

Tips

  • Single Layer: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness on all sides.
  • Proper Drying: Make sure the catfish is completely dry before breading to help the coating adhere better.
  • Preheating: Always preheat the air fryer as this mimics the immediate hot environment of deep frying.
Air fried catfish filets on a white plate with lemon slices, ready to serve.

Variations

  • Spicy Kick: Add some cayenne pepper to the breading mix if you enjoy a bit of heat.
  • Herbal Touch: Mix some dried herbs like dill or parsley into the breading for an aromatic flavor.
Bite of air fryer catfish on a fork ready to eat.

Air Fryer Catfish FAQs

What are the best sides to serve with air fryer catfish?

Classic Southern sides like coleslaw and hushpuppies complement air fryer catfish perfectly. Tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon are also must-haves for serving.

Can I use this recipe with other types of fish?

Yes, this breading and cooking technique can also be applied to other fish like tilapia or cod. Adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the fillets.

How do I know when the catfish is fully cooked?

The catfish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and have a crispy, golden exterior.

Air fried Catfish filets on a white plate with lemon wedges, ready to serve.

Enjoy your Air Fryer Catfish as a healthier alternative to deep-fried fish, perfect for any day of the week.

It’s sure to satisfy your cravings with its crunchy coating and tender, flaky interior.

MORE SEAFOOD AIR FRYER RECIPES:

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Air fried catfish on a white plate with lemon wedges.
4.28 from 11 votes
Servings: 4

Air Fryer Catfish

By Jen
This easy Air Fryer Catfish recipe is a great way to enjoy "fried" catfish without actually deep frying it.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 22 minutes
Total: 32 minutes
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Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound catfish fillets
  • 1 cup fish fry breading, I prefer Louisiana brand
  • 1 small lemon, cut into wedges
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Instructions 

  • Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
  • Rinse and dry the catfish with a paper towel before coating.
  • Add the seasoned breading to a shallow bowl and then dip each piece of fish until coated completely. Spray the sides of each fillet with olive oil spray.
  • Place fillets in the prepared Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400ºF for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the catfish filets and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Flip once more and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to get them extra crispy if desired.
  • Serve with coleslaw and tartar sauce. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the filets just before serving.

Notes

NOTE: This recipe was made using a 1700 watt 5.8 qt Basket style Cosori Air Fryer. Your brand of air fryer may cook differently depending on the size and the power of the air fryer. Use this recipe as a guide when using a different brand of air fryer. 
Laying a piece of parchment paper in the Air Fryer makes cleaning up super easy. After cooking, all you have to do is remove the parchment paper from the Air Fryer! There’s no greasy residue left, making cleaning up super quick and painless!
To ensure your fish has a crunchy crust, make sure you tap some of the excess breading off, so the fish isn’t too bready. In addition, Use spray oil instead of olive oil, so the fish isn’t too soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 66mg, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 563mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 523IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 197mg, Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Jen West

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4.28 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. James says:

    I have a recipe for fish ,also use on chicken. 1 1/2cup panko bread crumbs
    1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    1tsp paprika
    1tsp tony cackery Cajun powder
    Mix ingredients together
    Spread mayonnaise on both sides and dip in mixture
    Cook at 400 degrees about 25 min till internanl temp reaches 160 degrees
    Inside is soft an moist outside is crisp.

    Reply
    1. Jen West says:

      That sounds awesome! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply