Air Fryer Catfish

This crispy air fryer catfish recipe is perfect for busy weekdays. Catfish fillets are soaked in a homemade buttermilk mixture before being tossed in seasoned cornmeal and cooked to perfection right in the air fryer.

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Keyword: air fryer catfish, crispy catfish, air fryer catfish recipe

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Chilling Time: 30

Total Time: 45

Servings: servings

Calories: 477kcal

Equipment

air fryer

Ingredients

1 lb catfish fillets
3/4 cup milk
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 tbsp flour
3 tsp old bay seasoning or to taste
3 tsp granulated garlic or to taste
2 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

First, start by placing the catfish fillets inside of a container. Add the milk and lemon juice and close the container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
In a bowl, add the cornmeal, flour, old bay seasoning, salt, and granulated garlic. Whisk the ingredients together to combine.
Remove the catfish fillets from the refrigerator and remove them from the container. Discard the marinade.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Place the fillets in the cornmeal mixture and toss to coat on all sides.
Spray the fillets with non stick cooking spray. This will help form a crispy outer layer and prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer.
Place the catfish fillets inside the air fryer. Cook at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Thicker fillets may need more time.
Finally, remove the catfish fillets from the air fryer and serve with lemon wedges and your sauce of choice.

Notes

Substitute the catfish for cod or tilapia if you can’t get them at your local grocery store.
Soak the fillets in the homemade buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
If your fillets are too thick, it’s best to cut them into smaller pieces so they cook evenly.
Catfish is done when it is opaque in color and flakes easily with a fork. Use a kitchen thermometer like this one to check the internal temperature. The temperature will read at 145 degrees F once the fillets are fully cooked.
Always read your air fryer manual before cooking in it.

Nutrition