Air-Fried Catfish Fillets: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryers are a great way to cook catfish fillets, leaving them crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside. In this article, we will be discussing how to cook catfish fillets in an air fryer, including the best temperature to cook at and how long to cook the fish for. We will also be covering the importance of preparing the fish beforehand, including the use of a milk soak to remove any muddy taste from the catfish fillets.

How to prepare the catfish fillets for cooking

To prepare catfish fillets for cooking in an air fryer, you should first preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) or 400°F. Then, remove the fish and pat it dry. You can then either dip the fillets in a breading mixture, pressing firmly to adhere the breading to the fish, or brush the fillets with a blend of yellow mustard and mayonnaise, which will add a tangy kick and help the fish fry mix adhere to the fillets. You can also add a spice mixture to both sides of the fillets, coating them completely.

Next, spritz your air fryer basket with oil spray and place the fillets inside in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Spritz the fish with oil spray or drizzle with olive oil, and then air fry for 10 minutes. Flip the fillets and cook for another 10 minutes or until the fish is crispy and flakes easily with a fork. The catfish should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with flaky, tender flesh on the inside.

How to preheat the air fryer

To preheat your air fryer, set it to 385°F (196°C) or 400°F and allow it to heat up for a few minutes. This will ensure that your catfish cooks evenly and becomes wonderfully crispy.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to prepare the catfish fillets. Start by dipping the fillets in a breading mixture, pressing firmly to ensure the breading adheres to the fish. Alternatively, you can brush the fillets with a blend of yellow mustard and mayonnaise, which will add a tangy kick and help the fish fry mix stick to the catfish.

Next, spritz your air fryer basket with oil spray. This will prevent the fish from sticking and help create a crispy exterior. Place the coated catfish fillets into the basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the fillets generously with olive oil or use an EVO oil sprayer to ensure even coverage.

Finally, set the air fryer temperature to 400°F and air fry the catfish for 10 minutes. After this initial cooking time, carefully flip the fillets and fry for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish is golden brown and crispy on the outside, with flaky, tender flesh on the inside.

How long to cook the catfish fillets for

When cooking catfish fillets in an air fryer, it's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish and your desired level of doneness. On average, it takes around 20 minutes to cook catfish fillets in an air fryer, but this can range from 15 to 22 minutes.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how long to cook catfish fillets in an air fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) or 400°F. This ensures that the catfish cooks evenly and becomes crispy.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the catfish fillets in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Spritz or spray the fillets generously with oil, such as olive oil or a neutral-flavoured oil spray.

Air fry the catfish for 10 minutes at 400°F. Then, carefully flip the fillets using a thin, flexible spatula.

After flipping, continue air frying for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the catfish is golden brown, crispy, and easily flakes with a fork. The total cooking time at this temperature should be around 20 to 22 minutes.

If you prefer a slightly shorter cooking time, you can air fry the catfish for 11 minutes at 400°F, flip them, and then increase the temperature to 400°F and air fry for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. This method will result in a total cooking time of approximately 15 to 16 minutes.

Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your catfish fillets and your desired level of doneness. Thicker fillets may require a few extra minutes, while thinner fillets may cook faster. Always ensure that the catfish is cooked to your desired level of doneness and that it flakes easily with a fork before serving.

How to know when the catfish fillets are cooked

When cooking catfish fillets in an air fryer, the fish is done when it is crispy and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fish and your desired level of doneness, but generally, it will take around 20-22 minutes in total to cook catfish fillets in an air fryer.

To test if the catfish is cooked, you can use a fork to gently flake the flesh and check that it is opaque and moist, but not dry. The fish should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with flaky, tender flesh on the inside. If you are unsure, it is better to err on the side of caution and cook the fish for a little longer, as undercooked catfish can be dangerous.

It is important to note that catfish are bottom feeders, which means they eat almost anything, including mud. This can give the fillets a muddy taste, so it is important to soak the catfish in milk before cooking to help remove any impurities. Additionally, preheating your air fryer and ensuring the fish is in a single layer will help the catfish cook evenly and become crispy.

What to serve with the catfish fillets

To cook catfish fillets in an air fryer, you should first preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) or 400°F. Then, dip the fillets in a breading mixture and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spritz the fillets with oil spray and air fry for 10 minutes. Flip the fillets, spritz with oil spray again, and air fry for another 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is crispy and flakes easily with a fork.

Now, what to serve with the catfish fillets. You could serve them with lemon wedges and a fresh parsley garnish. Alternatively, serve the fillets on hoagie rolls with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce for a fried fish sandwich. Or, serve the fillets in taco shells or tortillas with fresh salsa, guacamole, and other Mexican-inspired toppings for a fried catfish taco. You could also serve the fillets with coleslaw or sweet potato fries, or a side salad, biscuits, and mixed fruit for dessert.

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