Air-Fried Catfish: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryer catfish is a quick and easy meal to prepare. The catfish fillets are seasoned with a spice mixture and drizzled with olive oil before being cooked in the air fryer for around 20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside with flaky, tender flesh on the inside.

Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) or 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking catfish. Set your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) or 400°F and allow it to heat up for a few minutes. This ensures that the catfish cooks evenly and becomes wonderfully crispy.

When the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can proceed with the next steps of the recipe. It is important to note that the preheating time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so adjust the timing accordingly.

Some recipes recommend preheating to 385°F (196°C), while others suggest 400°F. Both temperatures will cook the catfish effectively, but the higher temperature may result in a crispier exterior.

Once the air fryer is preheated, you can remove the catfish from the refrigerator and prepare it for cooking. Pat the catfish dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step helps ensure that the catfish will cook evenly and develop a crispy texture.

Pat the catfish dry

Once the catfish is dry, you can move on to the next step of seasoning the fish. It is important to ensure the fish is completely coated in seasoning before cooking.

Drizzle the fillets with olive oil

After preheating your air fryer to 400°F, remove the catfish fillets and pat them dry. Now it's time to drizzle the fillets with olive oil. This will help the fish to cook evenly and become wonderfully crispy. Make sure to coat the fillets completely and evenly with the olive oil. You can use an EVO Oil Sprayer to spritz the oil over the fillets, ensuring a light and even coating.

Sprinkle the spice mixture onto both sides of each fillet

To cook catfish in an air fryer, you'll first need to preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) for a few minutes. Then, mix together yellow mustard and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Brush the mustard-mayo mixture on both sides of each catfish fillet. Next, take a shallow dish and add 1 cup of your favourite premade fish fry. You can also make your own spice mixture.

Now, it's time to sprinkle the spice mixture onto both sides of each fillet. Make sure to coat the fillets completely and evenly. After this, spritz or drizzle the fillets with olive oil. Place the fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked or overcrowded.

Cook the catfish in batches if needed. Close the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 400°F. Then, carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the catfish reaches your desired level of doneness. The total cooking time should be around 20 to 22 minutes.

Finally, serve the catfish with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried catfish!

Air fry for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the fish and fry for another 10 to 12 minutes

After 10 minutes, carefully flip the fish. You can use tongs to do this. Then, air fry the fish for another 10 to 12 minutes. The total cooking time should be 20 to 22 minutes. The catfish should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with flaky, tender flesh on the inside. If you want the fish to be crispier, you can cook it for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Frequently asked questions