Air Fryer Catfish: A Tasty, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a great way to cook catfish, offering a healthier alternative to deep-frying. You can use an air fryer to cook catfish fillets or nuggets, with or without breading. The cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer and your preferred level of crispness, but typically it takes around 20 minutes at 400°F. Air-fried catfish is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and it's a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal.

Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

Ingredients

• 1-4 lb catfish fillets, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
• 3/4-1/2 cup seasoned fish fry coating (such as Louisiana Fish Fry Products)
• Cooking spray (olive, canola, avocado, coconut, or grapeseed oil)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: tartar sauce or cocktail sauce for dipping

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C).
• Place the seasoned fish fry coating in a gallon-size plastic resealable bag.
• Cut the catfish fillets into evenly-sized nuggets, about 1-2 inches in size. You can lightly season the catfish with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Drop the catfish nuggets into the bag with the coating, close, and shake to ensure the fish is evenly coated.
• Place the coated nuggets on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
• Place the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, sprayed side down. You may need to cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the tops with cooking spray.
• Air fry for 7-10 minutes. Then, carefully flip the nuggets and cook for an additional 4-10 minutes, or until the catfish is crispy and golden.
• Serve with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce for dipping, if desired.

Tips:

• You can also use whole catfish fillets instead of nuggets.
• If you prefer a traditional fish breading, you can dip the catfish in an egg mixture or flour before coating with the fish fry.
• To store leftovers, place the nuggets in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to a month. Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes.

Air Fryer Catfish without Breading

Air-fried catfish is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook this delicious fish. With an air fryer, you can achieve a tender and flaky texture without the need for messy prep or unhealthy oils. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious air fryer catfish without breading.

Ingredients:

• Catfish fillets
• Olive oil
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: milk or buttermilk for soaking

Seasoning Options:

• Blackening or Cajun seasoning
• Oregano
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Seafood seasoning
• Yellow mustard
• Cornmeal

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Soaking (Optional but Recommended)

Soaking the catfish fillets in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes helps eliminate any fishy flavour. This step is especially beneficial for freshwater fish like catfish, which can sometimes have a "muddy" taste.

Step 2: Seasoning

Pat the fillets dry and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle your chosen seasonings onto both sides of the fillets, ensuring they are well coated. You can also massage the spices into the fish for better flavour absorption.

Step 3: Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned fillets inside the air fryer in a single layer, being careful not to overlap them. Air fry for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the fillets and fry for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

Step 4: Serving

Once the catfish is cooked to your liking, serve it with lemon wedges and garnish with fresh parsley. You can also pair it with a side of crispy coleslaw or your favourite vegetables for a complete meal.

Tips for Success:

• Always flip the catfish halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Cook the fillets in a single layer to allow proper air circulation, ensuring a crispy exterior.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your fillets, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• If you want a deeper golden colour, you can spray the fillets with cooking spray or olive oil before air frying.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air fryer catfish!

Air Fryer Catfish Cooking Time and Temperature

Air-fried catfish is a great way to enjoy the taste of fried catfish without the calories of deep frying. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer catfish can vary depending on the size of the fillets and your preferred level of crispness. However, here is a general guide to help you get started:

Preparation:

Before cooking, it is recommended to soak the catfish fillets in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to remove any fishy flavour. This step is especially important for freshwater fish, which can have a "muddy" taste. After soaking, pat the fillets dry and proceed with your chosen recipe.

Cooking Time and Temperature:

For crispy air fryer catfish, it is recommended to cook the fillets at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your fillets and your desired level of doneness, but it typically ranges from 15 to 22 minutes. Here are a few specific guidelines from different sources:

• One source recommends cooking catfish fillets at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping them, and then cooking for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, for a total of 20 to 22 minutes.
• Another source suggests cooking catfish nuggets at 400 degrees for 8 minutes, flipping them, and then cooking for an additional 4 minutes, for a total of 12 minutes.
• A third source recommends cooking catfish fillets at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping them, cooking for an additional 10 minutes, and then giving them a final cook of 2 to 3 minutes for extra crispness, for a total of 22 to 25 minutes.

Tips for Best Results:

• Always flip the catfish halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• For a crunchy crust, tap off any excess breading before placing the fish in the air fryer, and use spray oil instead of olive oil to prevent sogginess.
• Parchment paper can be placed in the air fryer basket for easy cleanup.
• The type of air fryer you use may affect the cooking time, so adjust as needed.

Air Fryer Catfish with Breading

Ingredients

• Catfish fillets
• Seasoned fish fry coating (e.g. Louisiana Fish Fry Products)
• Olive oil
• Lemon
• Parsley
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: tartar sauce, Greek yoghurt, gumbo greens, brown rice, lemon wedges, coleslaw

Method

• Pat the catfish dry.
• Sprinkle fish fry seasoning onto both sides of each fillet. Ensure the entire fillet is coated with seasoning.
• Spritz olive oil on the top of each fillet.
• Place the fillets in the air fryer basket. Do not stack the fish and do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
• Flip the fillets and cook for a final 2-3 minutes, or until the desired crispness is achieved.
• Top with optional parsley.

Tips

• The amount of seasoning you will need will vary based on the size of your fillets. Each fillet should be fully coated with seasoning, but not overly coated.
• The cooking time will likely vary based on the air fryer brand and how crunchy you prefer your fish.
• For extra crunch, you can cook each side for 11 minutes.
• Serve with tartar sauce, or try Greek yoghurt, gumbo greens and brown rice on the side.
• This dish pairs well with coleslaw.

Air Fryer Catfish with Oil

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying catfish, saving you almost 400 calories and 45 grams of fat per serving! The air fryer also spares you from the lingering smell of fried fish in your home. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious, crispy and tender air-fried catfish with oil.

Ingredients:

• Catfish fillets
• Olive oil or canola cooking spray
• Milk or buttermilk
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Flour
• Spices (blackening or cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper)
• Lemon wedges and parsley for serving (optional)

Step 1: Soak the Catfish

Place the catfish fillets in a plastic bag or bowl and pour milk or buttermilk over them. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes to remove any fishy flavour. This step is important, especially for freshwater fish, as it helps eliminate any "muddy" taste.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up three separate bowls. In the first bowl, add flour. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with your desired spices. You can also add salt and pepper to the flour for extra flavour.

Step 3: Coat the Catfish

Take the catfish fillets from the milk and pat them dry. First, dip them in the flour, making sure they are lightly coated all over. Then, dip them in the egg wash, followed by the breadcrumbs. Ensure the fillets are well coated at each step, using your hands or a large spoon to handle the fish.

Step 4: Oil the Catfish

Generously spritz or drizzle olive oil onto the coated fillets. This step will help achieve a golden colour and a crispy texture.

Step 5: Air Fry the Catfish

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the catfish fillets inside, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked. Air fry for about 20-22 minutes in total, flipping the fillets halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on your desired level of crispness and the brand of your air fryer.

Step 6: Serve

Once the catfish is cooked to your liking, serve it immediately with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley, if desired. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and tender air-fried catfish!

Frequently asked questions