Cody Casey
Air fryers are a great way to cook catfish, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying. The air fryer's ability to cook catfish with minimal prep and mess makes it a convenient and tasty option. The result is a flaky, tender, and flavourful fish with a crispy exterior. This method is also versatile, allowing for the use of various seasonings and dips to suit individual preferences. Whether served with tartar sauce, coleslaw, or simply enjoyed on its own, air-fried catfish is a delicious and hassle-free meal.
How to Cook Catfish in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking | Soak the catfish fillets in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to remove the fishy flavor |
| Seasoning | Sprinkle a spice mixture of blackening or Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper on both sides of the fillets |
| Oil | Drizzle olive oil on the fillets |
| Air Fryer Temperature | Preheat the air fryer to 385°F (196°C) or 400°F |
| Cooking Time | Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the fillets and cook for another 10-12 minutes |
| Serving | Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking the catfish in milk or buttermilk
Soaking catfish in milk or buttermilk is a crucial step in removing any muddy or fishy flavours from the fish. Wild-caught catfish, and sometimes farm-raised, tend to have a muddy taste. The fat in the fish binds to the protein in the milk, thereby sweetening its flavour. The compounds that cause the strong flavour bind to the proteins in milk, so a 20-30 minute soak in milk or buttermilk helps. Buttermilk works even better than milk at removing this flavour, and the tangy and creamy flavour of buttermilk adds a delicious dimension to the fish and creates a crispy and golden-brown crust.
If you don't have buttermilk, you can use milk or make your own buttermilk by mixing one tablespoon of vinegar with one cup of milk. The buttermilk brine is part of the breading process and helps the dry ingredients, such as cornmeal, stick to the fish. You can also add hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture for added flavour. The fish should be soaked in the buttermilk for at least 10 minutes, but no longer than half an hour, to develop more flavour and keep the fish deliciously moist.
After soaking the catfish in buttermilk, remove one piece of fish at a time and let most of the excess liquid drain off by dangling it over the bowl for a few seconds. Then, place the fish directly into the cornmeal mixture, ensuring it is fully coated and seasoned. You can also add a little cayenne pepper to the cornmeal for some heat.
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Coating the catfish with a spice mixture
To coat the catfish with a spice mixture, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, prepare your catfish fillets by soaking them in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help to remove any fishy flavour. If you are short on time, you can soak the frozen fillets for an hour in room-temperature milk.
Next, remove the fillets from the milk and pat them dry. Drizzle olive oil over the fillets, and then sprinkle your chosen spice mixture onto both sides of each fillet, ensuring that they are completely coated. You can make your own spice mixture by combining blackening or Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought fish fry mix, which is loaded with salt and seasonings. If you feel you need more seasoning, you can lightly season the fillets with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and Creole seasoning before coating them in the fish fry.
Once your fillets are coated in the spice mixture, you can place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they are not stacked or overcrowded. Spray the tops of the fillets with an oil sprayer, and then they are ready to be cooked in the air fryer.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for catfish in an air fryer will depend on the specific recipe you are following, and the brand of air fryer you are using. However, generally, the temperature should be set at around 400°F (200°C).
Some recipes suggest preheating your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) for a few minutes, while others recommend 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. The catfish is then cooked for around 20 minutes in total, but this can vary from 15-22 minutes depending on the recipe and your preference for how well-done you like your fish.
For example, one recipe suggests cooking the fish for 10 minutes, then flipping it and cooking for another 10 -12 minutes. Another recommends cooking for 11 minutes, flipping the fish, spraying with olive oil, and then increasing the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for an additional 4-5 minutes.
It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may also depend on the thickness of your fish fillets, and whether you are cooking catfish nuggets or fillets. Catfish nuggets will work just fine in an air fryer and you can simply add the breading to the nuggets before cooking.
It is also recommended to soak the catfish fillets in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before cooking to remove any fishy flavor.
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Flipping the catfish
For example, if the total cooking time is 20 minutes, the fillets should be flipped after 10 minutes. If the total cooking time is extended to 22 minutes, the fillets should still be flipped halfway through, at the 11-minute mark.
After flipping the catfish, you may spritz them with a little oil or seasoning to enhance the crispiness and flavor. This step is especially important if you are aiming for a crispier texture. The oil helps the breading adhere better and achieve a beautiful golden color.
It is also important to note that flipping the catfish is not just a one-time step. Depending on the total cooking time, the fillets may be flipped more than once. For example, if the total cooking time is 22 minutes, the fillets are flipped at the 10-minute mark, cooked for another 10 minutes, and then flipped again for the final 2 minutes.
By following these instructions and flipping the catfish at the appropriate times, you can ensure that your catfish cooks evenly and achieves the desired level of crispiness and flavor.
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Serving suggestions
There are several ways to serve catfish, depending on your preferences and dietary requirements.
A traditional way to serve catfish is with coleslaw and hush puppies—fried cornmeal dumplings. You could also serve it with a side of classic Southern sides like coleslaw, hushpuppies, cheesy grits, or potato salad. If you're looking for a healthier option, a simple vegetable salad or cucumber salad with red onions, sour cream, vinegar, cucumbers, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and fresh dill is a good choice.
If you're looking for a heartier meal, you could serve catfish with mashed potatoes or grilled potatoes. For a unique combination, try Catfish Atchafalaya—a combination of Southern Fried Catfish smothered in Crawfish Étouffée and served with Green Onion Rice.
For a more indulgent option, you could coat the catfish in pecans and top it with a thick, rich cream sauce, garnished with lemon wedges, parsley, or more chopped pecans. Alternatively, serve with tartar or cocktail sauce for dipping, or with a side of sweet potato fries.
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook catfish in an air fryer is between 385°F and 400°F.
It takes about 20-22 minutes to cook catfish in an air fryer.
You can use a combination of yellow mustard and mayonnaise or just yellow mustard to help the breading stick to the catfish.
Soaking the catfish fillets in milk or buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before cooking is the best way to remove any fishy flavor.
Some good side dishes to serve with air fryer catfish are coleslaw, hushpuppies, potato salad, and cheesy grits.
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