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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

    Published: Dec 9, 2023 · Modified: May 7, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

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    Air fryer catfish nuggets are crispy, tender, and a healthier fried fish option for dinner. The air fryer cooks catfish with a crunchy texture and savory flavor without the excess oil and calories. These catfish nuggets are perfect for a quick and easy meal or tasty appetizer and are sure to become a favorite in your household.

    Closeup shot of air fryer catfish nugget being dipped in tartar sauce.

    Catfish nuggets in the air fryer cook up evenly so you end up with a crispy outer layer while the fish stays moist and tender on the inside. So, the next time you're craving catfish, give air frying a try and enjoy a delicious, guilt-free meal.

    This was inspired by my air fryer haddock recipe and pairs well with this air fryer sweet potato fries.

    Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Catfish Recipe

    • Quick and Easy. All it takes is 22 minutes from start to finish. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute entertaining.
    • Great Texture and Flavor. The air fryer cooks the catfish evenly, ensuring juicy and tender fish within each nugget with a crispy, golden-brown crust on the outside.
    • Family Favorite. The mild flavor and fun nugget shape make this dish a crowd-pleaser that even kids and picky eaters will enjoy.

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. They're all easily found in your kitchen or at your local grocery store.

    Overhead shot of air fryer catfish nuggets ingredients in individual bowls on table.
    • Catfish: An inexpensive and easy-to-find option for this recipe but it will easily work with other whitefish like cod, haddock, or tilapia as well.
    • All-Purpose Flour: The base of the crispy breading for the catfish but you can also use corn starch, almond, or rice flour instead.
    • Large Eggs: Helps the crumb mixture adhere to the fish. Another option is using heavy cream instead.
    • Panko Crumbs: For extra crunch! These Japanese-style bread crumbs are light, airy, and crisp, giving the fish the best crunchy texture but breadcrumbs will work in a pinch.
    • Garlic Powder: For just a hint of flavor on our crispy breading. Use can swap it for a spice blend like cajun or Old Bay seasoning instead.
    • Salt: A wonderful and necessary flavor enhancer.

    See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

    Substitutions and Variations

    If you're looking to switch up your catfish nuggets recipe, there are plenty of options for substitutions and variations.

    • Skip the Homemade Breading: Use a store-bought breading or fish fry mix instead.
    • Cornmeal: If you like the crunch of cornmeal you can swap out the panko breadcrumbs for cornmeal instead.
    • Spicy: Add some spice to your breading with a pinch or two of chili pepper flakes, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder.

    How to Make Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

    Making these easy catfish nuggets is just as easy as shopping for the ingredients. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. That's it!

    1. Cut the catfish into chunks and place the flour, egg, and panko mixture into separate bowls.
    Workstation with flour, panko crumb mixture, eggs and cut up catfish chunks.
    1. Dredge each nugget in the flour, egg, and panko, in that order.
    A chunk of catfish being dipped into a bowl of flour.
    A flour coated nugget being dipped into egg.
    Egg covered nugget is dipped into crumb mixture.
    1. Place the catfish nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
    2. Air fry until golden brown.
    Nuggets are placed inside air fryer basket.
    Cooked nuggets inside air fryer basket.

    ⭐ Hint: Be sure to give your nuggets a gentle shake between each of the ingredients when breading to ensure an even coating and allow excess to drip or fall off.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these Air Fryer Fried Chicken Thighs, Baked Catfish No Breading, Pancake Batter Fried Fish, Air Fryer Tilapia, Easy Catfish Tacos, Baked Cod with Panko or Best Catfish Sandwich.

    A catfish nugget being held in the air.

    Storage

    • Refrigerator: Store leftover catfish nuggets for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
    • Freezer: Store fully cooked and cooked nuggets for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
    • Reheat: Reheat them in the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes at 350° F. If frozen, thaw them out in the fridge overnight before cooking.

    What to Serve with Catfish Nuggets

    Serve your crispy catfish nuggets in the air fryer with some of our favorite fried fish sides like:

    • Sauce: The nuggets are even better with a dipping sauce. Try our 3 Ingredient Tartar Sauce, Kraft Tartar Sauce Copycat Recipe, or this Onion Ketchup.
    • Vegetables: Slow cooker corn on the cob, sweet and sour green beans or sweet green beans.
    • Fried Sides: French Fries and Onion Rings are classic additions!
    • Comfort Food: For a heartier meal serve up your favorite comfort food sides such as Cheesy Twice Baked Potato Boats, Supreme Mashed Potato Casserole, or Slow Cooker Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.
    • Add a Salad: Our Best Broccoli Salad and Bell Pepper Salad are simple additions!

    Need more inspiration? Try one of our favorite side dishes from this collection of what to serve with fish sticks or starch side dishes for more!

    A pile of catfish nuggets inside a white bowl with top nugget missing a bite.

    Tips

    • Preheat your air fryer before cooking. This ensures that the nuggets are cooked evenly and reach the correct temperature.
    • Lightly spray your nuggets with non-stick cooking spray before frying. This helps ensure that the breading doesn't stick to the air fryer basket and becomes evenly crispy and golden brown.
    • Evenly space the nuggets. Make sure the catfish nuggets in the air fryer are not touching or overcrowded in the basket.
    • Let them rest. After removing your nuggets from the air fryer, let them rest for a few minutes. This lets the internal temperature equalize and allows the coating to set, ensuring a pleasant texture when you bite into them.

    FAQ

    Is it necessary to use nonstick spray with the air fryer?

    Yes. Nonstick spray ensures that your breading sticks to your catfish nuggets and nothing else.

    Can I cook frozen catfish nuggets in the air fryer?

    Absolutely! Cook them at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes, again, turning them halfway through cooking.

    A catfish nugget being held in the air after being dipped in tartar sauce.

    More Seafood Recipes

    Do you like seafood? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Air fryer teriyaki salmon laying on rice being cut by a fork.
      Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
    • Air Fryer Haddock
    • A air fryer bacon wrapped scallop pile on a plate.
      Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    An air fryer catfish nugget held by fingers dipping into a bowl of tartar sauce.

    Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

    Karin and Ken
    Air fryer catfish nuggets are golden and crispy just like traditional fried catfish, but they're made without all the oil and cleanup and served in easy to eat bite sized pieces.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 8 minutes mins
    Total Time 18 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 108 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Air Fryer
    • Sharp knife
    • cutting board
    • 3 medium bowls

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lbs catfish filets thawed
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 cup panko crumbs
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Cut catfish filets into 1-inch chunks. Lay them on a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any liquid from them.
    • Place flour in one bowl, eggs (whisked) in another bowl, and panko crumbs, garlic powder and salt in a third bowl.
    • Coat each piece of catfish in flour (shaking off the excess), dredge them in egg, and finally coat them in the panko mixture.
    • Place breaded pieces into your greased air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook in batches.
    • Air fryer at 400º for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Breading should turn golden brown and fish should be flaky.

    Notes

    • Preheat your air fryer before cooking. This ensures that the nuggets are cooked evenly and reach the correct temperature.
    • Lightly spray your nuggets with non-stick cooking spray before frying. This helps ensure that the breading doesn't stick to the air fryer basket and becomes evenly crispy and golden brown.
    • Evenly space the nuggets. Make sure the catfish nuggets in the air fryer are not touching or overcrowded in the basket.
    • Let them rest. After removing your nuggets from the air fryer, let them rest for a few minutes. This lets the internal temperature equalize and allows the coating to set, ensuring a pleasant texture when you bite into them.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 108kcalProtein: 19gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 49mgPotassium: 406mgVitamin A: 57IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword air fryer catfish, air fryer catfish nuggets
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Susan says

      January 08, 2024 at 9:20 pm

      5 stars
      I’m a catfish lover and am always looking for new catfish recipes. Saw yours and had to try it. Boy was I glad we did. Absolutely brilliant. These bites are so tasty we couldn’t get enough of them and ate all the catfish we had. Will definitely make again. This one is a keeper. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 09, 2024 at 6:53 am

        As always you’re most welcome. I try my best. Glad you enjoyed this recipe it’s a favorite of ours too. All the best. Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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