Frying Catfish In An Air Fryer: Time And Temperature Guide

Frying catfish in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and it's also quicker and less messy. The air fryer method yields catfish that is tender, flaky, and delicious, with a crispy crust and a mild flavour. The cooking time depends on the crunchiness you prefer and the air fryer brand you use, but it generally takes around 20 minutes in total.

How long to fry catfish in an air fryer

How to make the perfect crispy crust

To make the perfect crispy crust for your catfish, there are several steps you can take before and during the air-frying process. Here is a detailed guide to achieving that ideal crunch:

Preparation

Before you begin air-frying, there are some crucial steps to follow to ensure your catfish develops a crispy crust:

• Soaking: Start by soaking the catfish fillets in buttermilk or milk. This step helps eliminate any "fishy" or "muddy" flavours that catfish can sometimes have. You can also add a few dashes of hot sauce to the milk for additional flavour. Aim to soak the fillets for at least 30 minutes, or for an hour if they are frozen.
• Drying: After soaking, pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the breading adhere better and create a crispier crust.
• Seasoning: If desired, you can lightly season the catfish fillets with your choice of spices. Suggested seasonings include garlic powder, lemon pepper, Creole seasoning, Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can also use a pre-madesectioning blend, such as Phillips Blackening Seasoning.
• Breading: Prepare a shallow bowl or tray with your chosen breading. You can use a store-bought fish fry mix, or make your own by combining cornmeal, flour, and seasonings. For a thicker breading, you can also create an egg wash for the fillets to adhere to before coating them in the breading mixture.
• Coating: Dip each catfish fillet into the breading, ensuring it is completely coated. Gently press the coating onto the fillet to help it stick. You can also spritz or spray the fillets with olive oil to help the breading adhere and create a crispier crust.

Air-Frying

Once your catfish fillets are prepared, you can begin the air-frying process:

• Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 385-400°F (196-204°C). This step ensures even cooking and helps the catfish develop a crispy crust.
• Placement: Place the coated catfish fillets into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Overcrowding the basket can prevent the fish from cooking evenly and achieving the desired crispness.
• Cooking: Cook the catfish for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes. For extra crispness, you can flip the fillets again and cook for an additional 1-4 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispness and the brand of your air fryer.
• Oil Spraying: For a crispier crust, spray the catfish with olive oil or cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer and again after flipping them. This helps achieve a golden colour and a crunchier texture.

By following these steps, you can create the perfect crispy crust on your air-fried catfish! Enjoy your delicious and crispy catfish with your favourite sides and dipping sauces.

How to reheat catfish in an air fryer

Reheating catfish in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy crispy and delicious leftovers without the sogginess that often comes with reheating fish. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Step 1: Prepare the Fish

Gently pat the leftover catfish fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is important to prevent sogginess during reheating. If desired, you can lightly brush or spray the fish with a small amount of oil to enhance its crispy texture.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 320°F to 400°F. Preheating ensures that the air fryer reaches the desired temperature and cooks the fish evenly, helping to achieve that crispy texture. Allow a few minutes for the air fryer to preheat properly.

Step 3: Arrange 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 crispiness.

Step 4: Reheating Process

Place the basket of fish into the preheated air fryer and set the timer. The ideal reheating time will depend on the thickness of your fillets and the model of your air fryer, but it typically ranges from 4 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the fish to prevent overcooking.

Step 5: Monitor and Flip

If your air fryer doesn't have an automatic rotation feature, consider flipping the fillets halfway through the reheating time to ensure even crispiness on both sides.

Step 6: Test for Crispiness

After the reheating time is up, carefully remove one fillet and check its texture. The exterior should be golden brown and crispy, while the interior should remain flaky and tender. If you feel it needs a little longer, return the fish to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once your catfish is reheated to perfection, serve it immediately with your favorite sides, sauces, or salads. Remember that reheated fish is best enjoyed right after cooking, so savor the crispy, flavorful outcome without delay!

Tips for Success:

• Parchment Paper: Using parchment paper in your air fryer basket makes cleanup a breeze. Simply remove the paper after cooking, leaving no greasy residue behind.
• Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings to add extra flavor to your catfish. Options like Old Bay Seasoning, hot sauce, onion powder, or Cajun seasoning can enhance your dish.
• Oil Spray: Instead of drizzling olive oil, use an oil spray to ensure the fish isn't too soggy and to achieve a crunchier crust.
• Breading: For a thicker bread coating, use an egg wash to help the breading stick to the fillets. You can also use an egg wash and flour mixture if you don't have fish fry breading.

How to cook frozen catfish in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk or buttermilk
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons blackening seasoning or Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Lemon wedges for serving
• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Method

• Place the frozen catfish fillets in a plastic zipper bag or large bowl and pour the milk (or buttermilk) over it, allowing it to soak for an hour to remove the fishy flavor and help thaw the fish.
• In a small bowl, combine the blackening or Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper, then set it aside.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
• Remove the fish from the milk and pat it dry. Drizzle the fillets with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture onto both sides of each fillet, coating them completely.
• Place the fillets inside the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray the tops of the fish with olive oil.
• Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 minutes. Carefully flip the fish and fry for an additional 13 to 15 minutes (26 to 28 minutes total) until fully cooked.
• Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley.

Tips

• If you did soak your catfish in milk before freezing, you can reduce the soaking time for frozen fillets to 30 minutes.
• Always flip the catfish halfway through the cooking time to ensure it cooks evenly.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your fillets, as well as your preferred level of doneness.

How to choose the best catfish

When choosing catfish fillets, look for ones with a nice white colour and a firm texture. Avoid any with a strong odour, as this may indicate that the fish is not fresh. Fresh catfish should smell like clean water. It should also be firm to the touch, not soft or mushy.

If you are buying whole catfish, look for ones with clear, red gills; cloudy gills may indicate that the fish is not fresh. The eyes should be clear and bulging, not cloudy or sunken. The skin should be shiny and slimy, and the flesh should be bright and springy when pressed. Avoid any fish with discoloured patches or bruises.

When buying frozen catfish, look for packages that are not torn or damaged, and check the expiration date to ensure the fish is still within its recommended shelf life. Avoid packages with excessive ice or frost, as this may indicate that the fish has been thawed and refrozen.

When in doubt, ask your fishmonger for advice. They will be able to recommend the best catfish for your needs and provide information on the source and freshness of the fish.

How to make catfish in the air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 lbs catfish fillets
• 1 cup cornmeal (white or yellow)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4-1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 3 tsp seafood seasoning (e.g. Rosamae Seasonings Seafood Magic)
• Optional: milk or buttermilk for soaking

Method

• If you want to remove any fishy flavour from your catfish, place the fillets in a plastic zipper bag or large bowl and pour over milk or buttermilk. Allow to soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
• In a small bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, and seafood seasoning. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or Cajun seasoning.
• Remove the fish from the milk/buttermilk and pat dry. Coat the fillets in yellow mustard, then dip them in the cornmeal mixture. Ensure the fish is evenly coated on both sides.
• Place the coated fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray or drizzle with olive oil.
• Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip the fillets and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness.
• Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, coleslaw, or other sides of your choice.

Tips

• If you want a thicker breading, use an egg wash to help the coating stick.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket so that the fish cooks evenly and gets crispy.
• Always flip the fish halfway through the cooking time.
• Soaking the fish in milk or buttermilk will remove any "muddy" flavour that catfish can sometimes have.
• If you're using frozen catfish, make sure it's fully defrosted before seasoning and cooking.

Enjoy your crispy, golden, air-fried catfish!

Frequently asked questions