Do you love the taste of fried catfish but don't want all the calories that come with it? Then, this recipe is for you! This easy Air Fryer Catfish recipe is a great way to enjoy "fried" catfish without actually deep frying it.
This recipe combines mild white fish with flavorful breading, giving you a crispy crust and delicious flavor! In addition, this recipe is excellent for those who don't love fish with a fishy flavor!
If you love this dish, you might also enjoy our other air fryer seafood recipes.
Looking for the best way to reheat leftovers? Save this post for how to reheat fish in the air fryer.
Why You'll Love This Catfish Recipe
You'll love this easy meal because it only requires a few 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 a ton of skill, making it a great 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!
Ingredients
- Catfish Fillets
- Fish Fry Breading (I love the Louisiana brand)
- Lemon Cut Into Wedges
- Olive Oil
How to Make Catfish in the Air Fryer
- 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.
Tips for Best Results
- Parchment Paper: 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!
- Seasonings and Flavors: Since this recipe is super simple, you can add whatever kind of seasonings or flavors you like! For example, you can add Old Bay Seasoning, hot sauce, onion powder, and cajun seasoning!
- Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets: If you want to get super fancy, you can cut up the Air Fryer catfish fillets into cubes before air frying them. Then, flip in the middle of the cooking time to thoroughly cook the nuggets. Making catfish nuggets is a great way to incorporate fish into your kids' diets if they aren't fans of fish.
- Crunchy Crust: 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.
- Breading: If you want a thicker bread coating on your fish fillets, you can use an egg wash to make the Fish Fry Breading stick onto the fillets. You can also forgo the Fish Fry Breading and use an egg wash and flour mixture instead. You will end up with a crispy, juicy fish either way!
FAQs
Is this recipe low carb?
Yes! Since this recipe consists of fish and very light breading, there are very few carbs in this recipe!
What side dishes pair well with this recipe?
With this recipe, you can pair Air Fryer Green Beans, Air Fryer French Fries, or Air Fryer Hush Puppies!
What if I don't have Fish Fry breading?
You can use cornmeal fish breading or whip up a quick homemade breading with bread crumbs or all purpose flour and spices!
How long can you store the fried catfish fillets in the refrigerator?
You can store the fried fillets in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container!
Can I use frozen catfish for this recipe?
Yes! Before you season the catfish fillets, you need to let the fish thaw completely!
This is one of my favorite recipes! Fried Catfish is a southern staple and the air fryer gives it that perfect crisp with perfect flavor.
If you're looking for more easy air fryer recipes, we have a TON for you to try.
MORE SEAFOOD AIR FRYER RECIPES:
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Catfish
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
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you're using with each recipe.
©AirFryingFoodie 2023
James
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.
That sounds awesome! Thank you for sharing.