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Air Fryer Fried Catfish is another hit for me with the Air Fryer. I had been dying to try out frying catfish in my Air Fryer. This weekend I had a reason to test it out. It is Labor Day Weekend and one of my close friends is in town for a visit.
Summer holiday weekends usually involve COOKOUTS! My friend is a pescatarian. She only eats seafood and does not eat any other meat. Unfortunately for my friend, cookouts are usually filled with grilled chicken, beef, and pork.
There wasn’t going to be any grilled seafood at the cookout we were planning to attend. Being the good friend I am, I decided to whip up some fried catfish that we could bring to the cookout with us for her to eat.
I was amazed at the results of the Air Fryer! This fish turned out very crispy with an amazing crunch. Using the Air Fryer instead of deep-frying saves almost 400 calories and 45 grams of fat per serving.
I also love that there is no stinky house after making these! I rarely fry foods in my home, and certainly not fish because the deep-fried smell lingers for DAYS! Thank you, Air Fryer!
I used trial and error to determine the cooking time. The fillets I prepared were very long. Because of the length, I opted to cook each fillet one at a time. Use your discretion here and do what works best for you.
Use your judgment on if you will need more or less fish fry seasoning noted in the recipe ingredients. The amount you will need will vary based on the size of your fillets. Each fillet should be fully coated with seasoning, but not overly coated.
Cooking time will likely vary based on the Air Fryer brand you use and how crunchy you prefer your fish.
I cooked the filets at 400 degrees for about 22 minutes total. Time will likely vary based on the Air Fryer brand you use and how crunchy you prefer your fish. At 10 minutes I flipped the fish. I then allowed them to cook for 10 more minutes, flipped them one last time, and cooked for 2 minutes.
What I love most about the air fryer is that I get to incorporate all of the foods I left behind, back into my lifestyle. We ate fried catfish and spaghetti pretty often growing up. For some of you this may sound like an interesting combination! Over the years I have learned this may be a Midwest dinner choice!
I have missed it so much! Thank goodness for the air fryer!
If you prefer catfish nuggets those should work just fine, too! Simply add the breading to the catfish nuggets.
If you are looking for more Air Fryer Catfish check out 17 Air Fryer Recipes You Have to Try or my Air Fryer Salmon and Air Fryer Fish Sticks recipes.
If you are looking for more information on southern-style Air Fryer Catfish, check out 17 Air Fryer Recipes You Have to Try.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Air Fryer Southern Style Pork Chops
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
Air Fryer Potato Skins
Air Fryer Scallops
Air Fryer 3 Ingredient Fried Catfish
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets
- 1/4 cup Louisiana Fish Fry Coating
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley optional
Instructions
- Pat the catfish dry.
- Sprinkle the fish fry onto both sides of each fillet. Ensure the entire filet is coated with seasoning.
- Spritz olive oil on the top of each filet.
- Place the filet in the Air Fryer basket. Do not stack the fish and do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed. Close and cook for 10 minutes on 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the fish. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Open and flip the fish.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until desired crispness.
- Top with optional parsley.
Notes
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
More Air Fryer Recipes:
Air Fryer Southwestern Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Homemade Pop Tarts
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp Po Boy
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Breaded Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Oil Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Truffle Aioli
Air Fryer Sriracha Honey Bourbon Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Bang Bang Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp
Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Dessert Empanadas
Air Fryer Beef Taco Fried Egg Rolls
Myron
Friday 4th of November 2022
Hello:
My name is Myron and I would like too say what a sweet recipe.I made it and it came out so wonderful that I will always use it even for family gatherings. Thanks again and keep things going.
staysnatched
Saturday 5th of November 2022
You’re welcome!
Jeanette
Saturday 18th of June 2022
Wow, don’t know what I did wrong. Followed recipe to a t except made my own breading from recipe online. Fish came out dry and not crispy. Mb my air fryer?? Tried diff. Temps too. Was awful. Glad everyone else had good luck.
staysnatched
Sunday 19th of June 2022
The recipe works when you follow it. You did not and used something else you found online.
Annette Peters Hudson
Sunday 1st of May 2022
It looks absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing ☺️
staysnatched
Monday 2nd of May 2022
I hope you love it!
Thursday 21st of April 2022
I love my Airfryer....that said..i love this simple recipe.not having to dip in milk and then in coating was a plus..i made my own breading mix since i had all the ingredients .This made a tasty,lighter batter and fewer calories. Catfish is much more enjoyable being farmed. ..not muddy taste to contend with...keep on airfryin. blessings too.
staysnatched
Monday 2nd of May 2022
Awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Craig
Tuesday 29th of March 2022
I have been marinating my catfish in a plastic bag containing 1/2 cup of pickle juice with 3/4 tsp baking soda. When it stops foaming I add enough yellow mustard as if I coated the fillets, garlic powder and hot sauce. They can sit in it overnight and the won’t over soften. I roll in Drakes breading mix with garlic and onion powder. I bought a gallon of dill pickle juice to make my King Arthur rye bread. Got idea from Americas Test kitchen for a marinate for fried steak but that is flavored with paprika, A-1 sauce and Worchestshire.
staysnatched
Thursday 31st of March 2022
Thanks for sharing.