Emilie Meyer
If you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook breaded catfish, then an air fryer could be your new best friend. Air fryers give you all the crispiness of fried catfish without the fat from frying in oil, and they're much easier to use than deep fryers or baking the fish. You can use a range of breading options, from cornmeal to corn muffin mix, and even gluten-free options. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer brand and how crunchy you like your fish, but generally, it should take around 10-20 minutes. So, if you're after a tasty, healthier alternative to fried catfish, read on to find out how to cook breaded catfish in an air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking time | 30 minutes |
| Soaking liquid | Milk or buttermilk |
| Breading | Cornmeal, corn muffin mix, or premade fish fry mix |
| Additional ingredients | Mustard, mayonnaise, garlic powder, lemon pepper, Creole seasoning, Old Bay seasoning |
| Oil | Avocado, canola, or olive oil |
| Air fryer temperature | 375-400°F |
| Cooking time | 11-20 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking the catfish in buttermilk to remove the fishy flavour
Soaking the catfish in buttermilk is a great way to remove any unwanted fishy flavour from the fish. It is a popular method used by many, especially those who want to reduce the "fishy" taste of catfish. This is a good pre-preparation step, as it allows you to whip up any sides or other dishes while the catfish fillets are soaking.
To start the process, you will need a plastic zipper bag or a large bowl. Place your catfish fillets inside, ensuring they are raw, and pour in enough buttermilk to cover them. Allow the fillets to soak for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours if you have the time. This process will help neutralise any strong flavours in the fish.
Some people also recommend using whole milk as a substitute for buttermilk, which can be left to soak overnight. However, if you want to stick to the traditional method, buttermilk is the way to go.
After the fillets have finished soaking, you can proceed to coat them with your chosen breading mixture. For a gluten-free option, you can use cornmeal, or you can experiment with other types of breading.
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Preparing the breading mixture
Firstly, prepare the catfish fillets by soaking them in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This process helps to remove any unwanted "fishy" or ""muddy"" flavours from the catfish. It is a common step in preparing catfish, especially when cooking it in an air fryer, as it ensures the final dish is tasty and appealing.
After soaking, it is important to shake off any excess buttermilk from the fillets. This step is crucial as it ensures the breading mixture adheres well to the fish.
Next, prepare the breading mixture itself. In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup of your chosen premade fish fry mix. You can use a store-bought fish fry, which is typically seasoned with salt and other spices, or make your own. If you opt for a premade mix, Louisiana Fish Fry is a popular choice. For a more pronounced flavour, you can also add additional seasonings to the mix, such as garlic powder, lemon pepper, or Creole seasoning.
Some people also like to add an extra layer of flavour and adhesion by brushing the fillets with a blend of yellow mustard and mayonnaise before coating them in the fish fry mix. This tangy blend not only enhances the taste but also ensures the breading mixture sticks to the fish.
Once the fillets are coated, gently press the coating onto the fish to ensure it adheres well. This step helps create a crispy crust on the catfish when cooked in the air fryer.
Finally, if you are using catfish nuggets instead of fillets, you can follow the same breading process. Simply coat the nuggets in the breading mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated, and then place them in the air fryer.
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Coating the catfish in the breading mixture
To coat the catfish in the breading mixture, start by preparing a bowl of your chosen breading. This could be cornmeal, corn muffin mix, or a premade fish fry mix. You can also make your own mix by combining all-purpose flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. For extra flavour, season your cornmeal with Old Bay or garlic powder and onion powder. If using a premade fish fry mix, you can add extra seasoning with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and Creole seasoning.
Next, prepare your catfish fillets. If you want to remove any "fishy" or "muddy" flavours, soak the fillets in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before cooking. When you're ready to coat the catfish, shake off any excess buttermilk, then dredge each fillet in the flour mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated on both sides. Gently shake the fillet to remove any excess flour, then press the coating onto the fillet to help it stick.
For an extra crispy crust, you can double-coat the catfish by first dipping the fillets in a blend of yellow mustard and mayonnaise. This mixture will also help the breading adhere to the fish. After coating the fillets in the breading mixture, gently shake off any excess and prepare to cook the catfish in the air fryer.
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Cooking the catfish in the air fryer
Next, prepare your catfish fillets. If you are using buttermilk, soak the fillets in a plastic zipper bag or large bowl for at least 30 minutes to remove the fishy flavor. If you are marinating the catfish, you can add a variety of ingredients to the bag, such as pickle juice, baking soda, yellow mustard, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Leave the fillets to sit overnight.
Once the fillets are ready, it's time to bread them. In a small bowl, mix together yellow mustard and mayonnaise. This blend will add flavor and help the breading stick to the fish. Brush the mustard-mayo mixture onto both sides of the fillets. Then, take a separate shallow dish and add your preferred fish fry or breading mix. You can use a premade mix or make your own with cornmeal, flour, and seasonings like garlic powder, Old Bay, and Creole seasoning. Gently press the fillets into the mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated on both sides.
Finally, place the breaded catfish fillets in the air fryer basket. Spray the bottom grill with a high-heat oil like avocado or canola, and spritz the fillets generously with olive oil. Cook the catfish for 11–15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The fish is done when the crust is golden brown and the flesh is flaky and tender. Serve immediately with your favorite sides and dipping sauces.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve breaded catfish cooked in an air fryer. A few classic sides that go well with the dish include coleslaw, gluten-free hush puppies, gluten-free macaroni salad, and tartar sauce. You can also serve it with corn on the cob, cornbread, and even corn muffin mix.
If you're looking for a healthier option, you can serve the fish with a seafood salad, adding some rice or quinoa, and a little lettuce and avocado dip. You can also serve it with a side of okra or homemade oven fries.
For a more filling meal, consider pairing the breaded catfish with French fries and fluffy gluten-free dinner rolls. If you're cooking for a larger group, you can also make a stir fry with tofu, zucchini, summer squash, peppers, and soba noodles, or fried tofu, broccoli, tahini, and peanuts.
If you're looking for a more indulgent option, you can serve the catfish with macaroni and cheese, which includes cheddar, cream cheese, and walnuts, or Shepherd's Pie with refried pinto beans, Mexican rice, and cheddar.
Lastly, if you're short on time, a simple side of spaghetti can also do the trick!
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time will depend on the size of your catfish fillets and whether you are cooking fillets or nuggets. For fillets, cook for 11 minutes, then flip the fillets and cook for another 4-5 minutes. For nuggets, cook for 6 minutes, then check if they need more time.
Preheat your air fryer to 375-390°F.
Before cooking, place the catfish fillets in a plastic zipper bag or large bowl and pour milk or buttermilk over them. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes to remove the fishy flavor. After soaking, shake off excess buttermilk and dredge the fillets in a flour mixture.
