Frying Catfish Perfectly With An Air Fryer

Frying catfish in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy the taste of fried food without the calories and fat that come with deep frying. Air-fried catfish is also a healthier alternative to pan-fried catfish, which requires messy prep and leaves behind a strong smell. The air fryer's ability to circulate hot air creates a crispy, crunchy exterior without the need for oil, resulting in a tender and flaky texture that pairs well with various side dishes.

How to make the perfect breading

Frying catfish in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy "fried" catfish without the calories that come with deep frying. The air fryer gives the fish a perfect crisp with perfect flavor. Here are some tips to make the perfect breading for your catfish:

Choose the Right Ingredients

Select a breading that will give your catfish a crispy crust and delicious flavor. A simple option is to use a store-bought fish fry breading, such as the Louisiana brand, which is a favorite among many home cooks. You can also make your own breading by combining cornmeal, flour, and seasonings.

Prepare the Fish

Before coating your catfish with breading, it is important to rinse and dry the fish with a paper towel. This will help the breading adhere better to the fish. You can also try soaking the catfish in buttermilk before coating, which will help to minimize any "fishy" smell and give your catfish a more tender texture.

Add Seasonings

To enhance the flavor of your breading, you can add various seasonings such as Old Bay Seasoning, hot sauce, onion powder, or Cajun seasoning. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of seasonings to find your perfect flavor profile.

Coat the Fish

Dip each piece of catfish into the breading, making sure it is completely coated. You can use a shallow bowl or a plastic bag for this step. If you want a thicker breading, you can also dip the fish in an egg wash before coating it with the breading. Just be sure to tap off any excess breading so the fish isn't too bready.

Spray with Oil

After coating the fish with breading, spray the sides of each fillet with olive oil or olive oil spray. This will help the breading crisp up and give your catfish that perfect fried texture.

Cook in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the fillets inside in a single layer. Cook for about 10 minutes, then carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. For extra crispiness, you can cook the fillets for an additional 1-2 minutes after the second flip.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve your air-fried catfish with your favorite sides, such as coleslaw, tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or parsley. Enjoy the perfect breading and the delicious flavor of your catfish!

The best oils to use

When frying catfish in an air fryer, the best oils to use are those with a high smoke point. This is because air fryers cook at a high temperature, and you want to avoid the oil smoking and giving your food a rancid taste.

Oils with a high smoke point include:

• Avocado oil
• Canola oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Olive oil spray
• Vegetable oil

Some recipes recommend brushing or spraying the catfish with oil, while others suggest spraying the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.

It is also worth noting that some recipes suggest avoiding olive oil, as it has a lower smoke point than other oils.

How to reheat catfish

Yes, you can fry catfish in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat catfish:

Step 1: Preparing the Fish:

• Take the catfish out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes.
• Blot the fish dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which could make the fish soggy during reheating.
• If desired, you can lightly brush or spray the fish with oil to enhance crispness.

Step 2: Preheating the Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to around 320–400°F (160–200°C).
• Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve the desired crispiness.

Step 3: Arranging the Fish:

• Place the catfish fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to ensure proper air circulation.
• If you have a large quantity of fish, consider reheating in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can affect crispness.

Step 4: Reheating:

• Place the basket of fish into the preheated air fryer.
• Set the timer for a short duration, typically around 3–8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of your air fryer.
• The goal is to reheat without overcooking the fish.

Step 5: Monitoring and Flipping:

• Keep a close eye on the fish to prevent overcooking.
• If your air fryer doesn't have an auto-rotate feature, flip the fillets halfway through the reheating time to ensure even crispness on both sides.

Step 6: Testing for Crispness:

• After the reheating time, carefully remove a fillet and check its texture.
• The exterior should be golden-brown and crispy, while the interior should be flaky and tender.
• If the fish isn't crispy enough, return it to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Step 7: Serving:

• Serve the reheated fish immediately with your favourite sides and sauces.
• Reheated fish is best enjoyed right after cooking to savour the crispy texture.

Tips for the Best Results:

• Use parchment paper in the air fryer for easy cleanup.
• To ensure a crunchy crust, tap off excess breading before cooking, and use spray oil instead of olive oil to prevent sogginess.
• For thicker breading, use an egg wash to help the coating stick.
• If you don't have fish fry breading, you can use cornmeal fish breading or a mixture of breadcrumbs, flour, and spices.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

• Store leftover catfish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no longer than 3–4 days.
• Avoid reheating catfish more than twice, as it will become dry.
• There is no need to preheat the air fryer when reheating.
• You can spray additional olive oil on the fillets before reheating for extra crispness.

Alternative Reheating Methods:

Oven:

Set the oven temperature to 350°F and heat the fish for about 15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Microwave:

• Place the fish on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 2-minute increments, keeping a close eye on it to prevent overcooking.
• Cover the fish with a damp paper towel during microwaving to retain moisture.

Toaster Oven:

Set the toaster oven to 350°F, place the fish on a covered baking sheet, and heat for 8–10 minutes.

Enjoy your crispy and delicious reheated catfish!

What to serve with fried catfish

There are many side dishes that go well with fried catfish. Here are some ideas:

Salads

A fresh salad is a lighter option to serve with fried catfish. You could try a spinach and bacon salad, or an apple cranberry salad. A balsamic dressing goes well with catfish, or you could try a salsa.

Rice

Rice is a versatile side dish that goes with almost anything. You could try garlic parmesan rice, broccoli and cheese rice, or just plain white rice.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a great side dish for fried catfish. You could try crispy smashed potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, or potato salad.

Beans

Beans are a popular side dish to serve with fried catfish. You could try green beans, pinto beans, southern baked beans, or even baked beans.

Bread

Bread is always a delicious option to serve with a meal. You could try Texas toast, crusty bread rolls, or Italian cheese bread.

Vegetables

There are many vegetables that go well with fried catfish. You could try fried green tomatoes, roasted vegetables, or fried okra.

Seafood

You could serve another type of seafood with your fried catfish, such as fried shrimp or softshell crab.

Sauces and dips

There are several sauces and dips that go well with fried catfish. You could try tartar sauce, lemon wedges, roasted garlic sauce, or remoulade sauce.

Other sides

Other sides that go well with fried catfish include coleslaw, french fries, cornbread, hush puppies, and spaghetti.

How to make sure the catfish isn't fishy-tasting

Yes, you can fry catfish in an air fryer. Here are some tips to ensure your catfish doesn't have a fishy taste:

Soak the Catfish in Milk or Saltwater

Soak the catfish fillets in milk or saltwater before cooking. This will help to remove any fishy flavour. Soak the fillets in milk for around 20 minutes and then rinse, or leave the fillets in saltwater overnight.

Remove Excess Blood

As blood can cause a fishy taste, it's important to bleed the catfish as soon as possible. Cut through both gills and submerge the fish in cold water to flush out the blood. Alternatively, cut off the tail and hang the fish vertically to let the blood drain out.

Marinate the Catfish

Marinate the catfish in an acidic marinade, such as a lemon or vinegar-based mixture. This will react with the organic molecules that cause fish to smell and taste fishy, leaving behind only acid salt and water, which are odourless and tasteless.

Brine the Catfish

Soak the catfish in a brine made from a quart of water, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of salt. This will help to remove the fishy smell, and therefore taste, from the catfish.

Use Spices

Spices can be used to cover up any remaining fishy flavours. Blackened seasoning works particularly well.

Choose Good Quality Fillets

When buying catfish fillets, look for ones that are firm to the touch and pure white in colour. Avoid any with a strong odour.

Frequently asked questions