Air Fryer Catfish

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This Air Fryer Catfish recipe is made by coating catfish fillets with eggs and fish fry mix, then air frying until crispy. Serve hot with lemon wedges and optional sauces.

Air fryer catfish fillets on a white plate with a lemon wedge and parsley garnish.

I love the simplicity of cooking meals using my air fryer. It's always less messy and speeds up cooking time. In the summer, it's a way to avoid turning on the oven or standing over a hot stove.

This air fry catfish recipe makes a simple solution for meals and I love that it pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Whether you serve it with rice, french fries, vegetables, spicy tartar sauce, or a fresh salad, you can easily customize this meal to suit your personal preferences.

If you love this recipe you've got to try my air fryer catfish nuggets, Air Fryer Tilapia and air fryer haddock next!

Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Fried Catfish Recipe

Quick and Easy Preparation: This easy air fryer catfish recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal with simple ingredients without spending hours in the kitchen.
Healthier Alternative: Using an air fryer instead of deep frying reduces the amount of oil needed to cook it, making it a great way to cook catfish and a healthier option compared to deep-fried catfish.
Versatile Flavors: The Cajun seasoning adds a flavorful kick to the catfish, but you can omit or easily customize the seasoning to taste.
Crispy Texture: The combination of the Louisiana fish fry mix and the air fryer cooking method ensures that your catfish fillets turn out perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining tender and flaky on the inside.

Ingredients

Here's a look at the ingredients you will need to make this fried catfish in the air fryer.

Catfish Fillets: Catfish has a mild flavor and firm texture that holds up well to deep frying and air frying. It's also readily available and affordable in most grocery stores. If frozen or fresh catfish is not available, you can substitute it with other firm mild white fish like tilapia or cod.
Eggs: The beaten eggs in this recipe act as a binder for the fish fry mix, helping it stick to the catfish fillets. If you're allergic to eggs or prefer not to use them, you can try using water or buttermilk instead.
Louisiana Fish Fry Mix: This seasoned mix adds flavor and creates a crispy coating on the catfish. It's a cornmeal combined with flour and spices. You can also make your own by combining cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning or old bay seasoning. Panko bread crumbs can also be used to bread the catfish.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to lightly coat the air fryer basket and drizzle over the catfish fillets before cooking. It helps prevent the fish from sticking and promotes browning. You can substitute it with any vegetable or canola oil.
Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning adds a spicy kick to the catfish. It typically contains a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and other spices. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can omit or reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning used. You can also use old bay seasoning instead.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the catfish, balancing out the richness of the fish. If you don't have fresh lemons, you can use bottled lemon juice or limes as a substitute.

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

Variations

Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the cornmeal mixture for a bit of heat. You can also serve up our homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well to sprinkle over the fish.
Different Fish: If you prefer not to use catfish, you can substitute with other types of fish such as tilapia, cod, or haddock.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free fish fry mix or substitute it with a mixture of cornmeal and gluten-free flour.
Different Spices: Enhance the flavor of the Cajun catfish by adding additional spices or herbs to the fish fry mix, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs like Italian seasoning, thyme, or oregano. You can also replace the Cajun seasoning with your favorite spice blend or a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

How to Make Air Fryer Catfish

Step 1: Prepping the catfish. Pat your catfish fillets dry with paper towels. This helps to remove any excess moisture, which can make your fish soggy instead of crispy.

Step 2: Setting up your breading station. Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl and pour the Louisiana fish fry mix into another dish.

Fish fillet in the egg mixture and another in the dry.

Step 3: Dip each catfish fillet into the beaten eggs, making sure that they're completely, and then place them in the fish fry mix. Coat them evenly, pressing gently so the mix sticks to the fish.

Step 4: Transfer to a plate or tray and continue with the remaining catfish.

Breaded catfish fillets in an air fryer basket.

Step 5: Place the catfish fillets into the air fryer basket lightly sprayed with olive oil. Make sure they're in a single layer and not overlapping. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top of each of the fillets.

Air fried catfish in the basket after cooking.

Step 6: Cook the catfish in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes and then, flip them over and cook them for another 5 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Serve with a squeeze of some fresh lemon juice over the fillets for a burst of flavor and serve your delicious air fryer catfish while it's hot with hot sauce, remoulade sauce, homemade tartar sauce, air fryer hush puppies, and lemon wedges on the side for an extra hot and tangy kick.

⭐️ Hint: Don't skip the olive oil! It aids in browning and crispness as well as keeping the breading from sticking to the basket.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these fried salmon bites, Easy Catfish Tacos, or Best Catfish Sandwich.

Cornmeal breaded fried catfish on a plate with lemon wedges and some parsley.

Storage

Refrigeration: Allow the cooked catfish fillets to cool completely, and then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 2 days.
Freezing: To freeze the catfish fillets, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them until they are solid. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat refrigerated catfish, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), place the fillets in the air fryer basket, and air fry for 10-15 minutes until they are heated through. For frozen catfish, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating them.

What to Serve with Fried Catfish

Dipping Sauce: Honey hot sauce, 3-ingredient tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, spicy mayo, or ketchup with onions.
Traditional Southern Sides: From spicy coleslaw, to wedge fries, homemade cornbread, and even corn on the cob are all favorites.
Vegetable Sides: Green beans and corn, balsamic green beans, and sauteed zucchini and onions are a few favorites.
Pickles: Serve them up with these horseradish pickles, pickled habanero peppers, easy spicy pickles, or a side of homemade sauerkraut.

Still looking for some ideas to round out your meal, you can find many more dinner ideas in this article for what to serve with fish sticks.

Air fryer catfish fillets on a plate with a lemon wedge and a fork cutting a bite.

Tips

Pat the Catfish Dry: Before coating the catfish fillets, make sure to pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the coating stick better and ensure a crispy exterior.
Even Coating: Coated all sides of catfish evenly with egg mixture and cornmeal breading for consistent browning and flavor.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating the air fryer helps create a crispier exterior on the catfish and even cooking.
Don't Overcrowd the Basket: Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving some space between each fillet. This will allow for proper air circulation and ensure they cook evenly.
Flip Midway Through Cooking: Flipping the catfish fillets halfway through the cooking process ensures that both sides are evenly browned and crispy.
Serve Immediately: For the best texture and flavor, serve the air fryer Cajun catfish immediately after cooking. This will ensure that it remains crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

FAQ

Can I use parchment paper in the air fryer basket?

Yes, you can use parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking, but make sure to cut it so that it fits the basket and leaves some space around the edges for air circulation.

My catfish is dry after air frying. What went wrong?

Overcooking is probably the main culprit. Be sure to cook the fish to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

How do I know when my catfish is done?

Check for doneness with a food thermometer to make sure the crispy catfish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) before removing it from the air fryer.

Fish fillets broken in half and stacked on top to show the cooked flaky fish on the inside.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Do you like dinner ideas you can make in the air fryer? Here are some recipes you may also like to try:

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