Air-Fried Catfish: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

Yes, you can make fried catfish in an air fryer! This method is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, cutting down on calories and fat without compromising on taste and texture. The air fryer method is also less messy and doesn't leave your home smelling of fried food.

How to make fried catfish in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Catfish fillets
• Olive oil
• Lemon
• Parsley
• Buttermilk
• Milk
• Blackening or cajun seasoning
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Cornmeal
• Yellow mustard
• Seafood seasoning
• Flour
• Mayonnaise
• Creole seasoning
• Paprika
• Gluten-free flour blend

Method

First, prepare your catfish fillets by soaking them in buttermilk or milk for around 30 minutes to remove any fishy flavour. You can also add lemon juice to the milk to make your own buttermilk and add a tangy flavour to the fish.

Next, pat the fillets dry and coat them in your chosen breading or seasoning. You can use cornmeal, flour, or a premade fish fry mix with added seasonings like paprika, creole seasoning, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt. You can also add an egg to the buttermilk to help the batter stick. Some recipes suggest coating the fillets in olive oil or spraying them with cooking spray at this stage.

Now you're ready to cook the catfish in your air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F and place the fillets inside in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. You can spray the fillets with olive oil or cooking spray to help them crisp up.

Cook the catfish for around 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your fillets and your air fryer.

Finally, serve your crispy catfish fillets with a slice of lemon and a garnish of parsley. Enjoy!

How to choose the best catfish

When choosing catfish for your air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the best results. Firstly, look for catfish fillets with a nice white colour and a firm texture. Avoid any fillets with a strong fishy odour, as this may indicate that they are not fresh. If you're using frozen catfish, make sure it's properly defrosted before cooking.

Before cooking, it's important to prepare the catfish by trimming away any excess fat. This will help improve the taste of your dish, as the fat can give the fish a "muddy" flavour. You can also cut the catfish into smaller pieces or strips to ensure even cooking and to maximise the crispy coating.

To get rid of any unwanted flavours, it's recommended to soak the catfish in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help eliminate any "fishy" or "muddy" flavours that are sometimes associated with freshwater fish.

When it comes to breading your catfish, you have a few options. You can use a combination of flour, cornstarch or potato starch, and spices like thyme, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder. Another option is to coat the catfish with yellow mustard, followed by a cornmeal mixture. If you're looking for a keto-friendly option, you can use crushed pork rinds as a coating.

Once you've prepared your catfish and chosen your breading, you can follow the air fryer recipe instructions for cooking. Remember to preheat your air fryer and cook the catfish in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Enjoy your delicious air-fried catfish!

How to reheat catfish in an air fryer

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

Firstly, remove the catfish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. This helps to slightly increase the temperature of the fish, so it is not extremely cold when placed in the air fryer.

Next, place the leftover catfish fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It is important to not stack the fillets on top of each other, as this can affect the reheating process and the crispiness of the fish.

Now, you can air fry the catfish at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4 minutes. If you are using a different brand of air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and timing slightly. Keep a close eye on the fish to ensure it is reheated to your desired level of warmth and crispiness.

Finally, serve the reheated catfish immediately with your favourite sides and sauces. Enjoy your delicious, crispy catfish!

Some additional tips for reheating catfish in an air fryer include:

• There is no need to preheat the air fryer when reheating catfish.
• You can spray additional olive oil on the fillets before air frying, for extra crispiness.
• Blot any excess oil with a paper towel after reheating, to remove any unwanted grease.
• Place parchment paper in the basket of the air fryer before reheating, to make the cleanup process easier.

How to cook frozen catfish in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen catfish in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Ideally, you should soak your catfish fillets in milk or buttermilk before freezing. This will help to remove any fishy flavour. If you haven't done this, don't worry; you can still soak the frozen fillets before cooking, but they will need to be soaked for an hour in room-temperature milk. This will also help to thaw the fish.

Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Step 3: If you have soaked your frozen fillets, pat them dry with paper towels. If you haven't soaked them, you can skip this step.

Step 4: Drizzle the fillets with olive oil.

Step 5: Sprinkle a spice mixture (a blend of blackening or Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper) over the fillets, ensuring they are coated completely.

Step 6: Place the fillets inside the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Spray the tops of the fillets with oil.

Step 7: Air fry the fish for 13 minutes, then flip and fry for an additional 13 to 15 minutes, until fully cooked.

Step 8: Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley, if desired.

Tips:

• If you are using frozen catfish fillets that have already been breaded, you can cook them in the air fryer without defrosting them first. Simply spray them with olive oil and add any extra seasonings of your choice. Use the same timings as above.
• Always ensure your air fryer basket is not overcrowded to guarantee even cooking.
• If you are using a batter or breading, lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with oil first to prevent sticking.

How to make the best air fryer catfish with no breading

Air fryer catfish is a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to traditional deep-fried catfish. This guide will take you through the steps to make the best air fryer catfish with no breading.

Ingredients

• Catfish fillets
• Milk or buttermilk
• Olive oil
• Blackening or cajun seasoning
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh chopped parsley

Method

Step One: Place the catfish fillets in a plastic zipper bag or large bowl. Pour the milk or buttermilk over the fillets and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes to remove the fishy flavor.

Step Two: In a small bowl, combine the blackening or cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Step Three: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the fish from the milk and pat it dry. Drizzle the fillets with olive oil, then sprinkle the spice mixture onto both sides, coating them completely.

Step Four: Place the catfish strips in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Spray the tops of the fish with olive oil.

Step Five: Air fry for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the fish and fry for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until it reaches your desired doneness.

Step Six: Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley.

Tips

• Soaking the fish in milk or buttermilk helps to remove any "fishy" flavor and is especially recommended for freshwater fish like catfish.
• Always preheat your air fryer to mimic the immediate hot environment of deep frying.
• Cook the fillets in a single layer to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Flip the catfish halfway through the cooking time to ensure it cooks evenly.

Frequently asked questions