Do you enjoy the taste of fried catfish but dislike the calories that come with it? Then this is the recipe for you. This simple Air Fryer Catfish recipe is a delicious way to enjoy “fried” catfish without having to deep fry it.
I'm sure we all enjoy treating ourselves to breaded and fried fish from time to time. But if you want something a little healthier that doesn't require any messy preparation, this air-fried catfish is just what you need!
Air fryer catfish is always a winner, whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a leisurely family dinner. Plus, while the fillets soak, you can prepare any sides you want so your meal is ready to go!
Not to mention, the panko and regular breadcrumbs give the fish a unique crunch, and you’ll be surprised at how crispy the air fryer makes it. It’s seriously addictively good.
Why Will You Enjoy This Catfish Recipe?
You’ll enjoy this quick meal because it only calls for a few simple ingredients that are readily available at your local grocery store.
Furthermore, this recipe is a simple way to cook fish that doesn’t require a lot of skill, making it ideal for novice cooks.
Finally, this delicious Air Fryer Catfish goes well with a variety of side dishes, making it a versatile weeknight meal with which you can experiment! So, grab your Air Fryer, and let’s dive into how to make this easy dinner recipe!
how long do you put catfish in an air fryer?
Catfish is a classic southern dish, and air frying is without a doubt one of the best ways to prepare it. And I say that because cooking it in this manner results in a crispy, crunchy golden crust on the outside while the inside remains perfectly tender and juicy.
I recommend cooking the catfish at 400 degrees F for this recipe. At that temperature, it should take between 20 and 22 minutes to fully cook. Remember to flip after 10 minutes.
can you put catfish in an air fryer?
Yes, placing catfish in an air fryer is completely safe. There’s no harm in it. You can easily cook air fryers evenly in an air fryer.
However, you should always check whether your air fryer manufacturer has allowed such foods or not.
is an air fryer good for fish?
Yes, it’s delectable! If you want a super crispy and crunchy breading, use an air fryer to cook your catfish instead of frying it.
People dislike catfish because of their odor and taste. Choosing the liquid to soak it in will help remove the taste and gritty texture that catfish is known for. The right liquid will give the flavor the boost it requires. It eliminates the fishy flavor or odor.
Air frying helps you consume less oil since you don’t have to deep fry it, which means fewer calories.
If you soak the fish in the appropriate liquid, you will have a better chance of convincing your children to eat it whether it’s deep-fried or air-fried.
is catfish healthy to eat?
Yes, catfish is very healthy, it contains many minerals and vitamins which are essential for daily functioning in life.
Seasoning is very important in a good catfish recipe. You must use the right seasoning blend for the perfect flavor. Seasonings are fun to play around with to make the best catfish you and your family have ever had.
To get fancy, and healthy for your kids, cut the Air Fryer catfish fillets into cubes before air-frying them. Then, in the middle of the cooking time, flip the nuggets over to thoroughly cook them. If your children aren’t big fans of fish, making catfish nuggets is a great way to get them to eat them.
Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid (EFA), which means it must be obtained through our diet.
Catfish omega-3 is also the most bioavailable form: of EPA and DHA. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids play a wide range of roles in the human body, and they are especially important for brain and cardiovascular health.
at what temperature is catfish done?
For best results, you can cook the catfish in the air fryer at 350 °F (180 °C) for 15-20 minutes without preheating the air fryer and about 10-15 minutes if the air fryer is preheated.
Since different air fryers have different time and temperature responses, there can be trial and error on the first go.
tips on making perfect air fryer catfish
- Laying a piece of parchment paper in the Air Fryer makes cleaning up a breeze. All you have to do after cooking is remove the parchment paper from the Air Fryer. There is no greasy residue, making cleanup quick and painless.
- To ensure your fish has a crunchy crust, tap some of the excess breading off before cooking it. In addition, instead of olive oil, use spray oil to keep the fish from becoming too soggy.
- To get a thicker bread coating on your fish fillets, use an egg wash to help the Fish Fry Breading stick to the fillets. You can also use an egg wash and flour mixture instead of the Fish Fry Breading. You’ll get a crispy, juicy fish either way.
- Soaking the catfish in milk or buttermilk is the best way to remove the fishy flavor. Do not, under any circumstances, skip this step.
- Cook the fillets in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation. This will help the fish crisp up completely and give it that perfect blackened exterior. To ensure even cooking, flip the catfish halfway through the cooking time.
- To keep the fish from sticking, spray the basket liberally with olive oil spray. It’s okay if some of the breading sticks to the catfish fillet when you flip it.
- A fish spatula, if you have one, is useful for turning the delicate fish halfway through cooking.
Nutrition in air-fried catfish
Catfish is simply filled with vitamins, minerals, calories, and whatever you need to maintain a good body. There’s no doubt that catfish is healthy if you’re struggling to gain momentum in your life.
Now let’s look at the nutrition that the catfish contains:
| Nutrition | Value per serving 143 g |
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Fat | 4.08 g |
| Protein | 26.41 g |
| Omega 3 Fatty Acids | 600 mg |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acids | 330 mg |
| Vitamins | Vitamin D, Niacin, Thiamin, Choline, Cobalamin Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Vit (A, E, C, K) |
| Minerals | Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium Selenium, Phosphorus, Iron, Calcium |
Vitamins are essential for the human body. They keep your nervous system healthy and maintain a balanced pH level in your blood. Some vitamins are not produced by the body itself and have to be taken orally.
Minerals, on the other hand, build your bones and teeth and control the body fluids in your body. They give you energy by turning food into glucose and then storing it in the form of energy. It promotes good health and uses the absorption of vitamins in the body.
how do you cook catfish in an air fryer?
Ingredients:
- 4 fillets of catfish
- 2 Eggs
- 1 and 4th cup breadcrumbs
- 1 and a half cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Paprika Powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Cooking Spray
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- seasoned with salt and pepper
To begin, pat the catfish dry with paper towels. Then, place it on a plate, season it with salt and pepper, and coat both sides with wheat flour.
In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, dried coriander, salt, and pepper.
Then, in a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, and set up a breading station with the catfish and two bowls next to it.
Soak a catfish fillet in the egg wash until completely covered. Then, coat both sides thoroughly in the breading mixture and set aside. Repeat with the remaining fillets until all of them have been breaded.
After the air fryer catfish fillets have been coated in the crispy crust, spray your air fryer basket with baking spray and add some of the fillets to it.
The number of items you can fit in your air fryer depends on its size, but the most important thing is that they are lying flat in the basket when you air fry.
Then, air fry the catfish for about 15 minutes at 350°F (180°C), or until golden and crispy. Then, serve the fried fish fillets with bbq sauce, seafood boil sauce, Szechuan sauce, or any of your favorite sauces – and enjoy!
Can I Use Frozen Catfish For This Recipe?
Yeah of course! Allow the catfish fillets to completely thaw before seasoning them!
This is one of my all-time favorite recipes! Fried catfish is a southern staple, and the air fryer makes it perfectly crisp and flavorful.
Summary
- Catfish is known as the southern dish and is famous for that, however, it is due to its smell that most people don’t like eating it.
- You can clear out the smell by dipping it in some liquid such as milk or vinegar, whatever floats your boat.
- The key to air frying the catfish is the seasoning and timing. If you overcook it might give you a burnt taste, however, if it’s left uncooked, you might not like how raw it would taste.
- Air fryers act as multipurpose appliances, you can bake cookies cakes even cupcakes and cook every type of fish, fries, and snack.
- Air fryer helps your kitchen stay less warm on sunny days.
- Catfish should be cooked for about 25 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and flipped through half-time for it to cook evenly.