Crispy Air Fryer Catfish: Perfectly Fried Fillets in Minutes
Discover the ultimate guide to cooking crispy, flavorful catfish in your air fryer! This incredibly easy recipe shows you how long to air fry catfish – a mere 9-12 minutes – for a delightfully crunchy coating without excessive oil. Forget the deep fryer; air frying is truly the best way to cook catfish when you crave that perfect fried texture with less mess and fewer calories. Get ready to master our simple 3-ingredient breading, learn the ideal air fryer catfish temperature, and unlock all the secrets to a quick and delicious meal. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can create fantastic air fried catfish fillets!
Why Air Fry Catfish? The Ultimate Crispy & Healthy Choice
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is catfish good in the air fryer?” the answer is a resounding yes! Air fried catfish offers an unparalleled combination of incredible taste and impressive speed, cooking up in roughly the same time it takes to preheat a traditional oven. It’s a game-changer for quick weeknight dinners or a special weekend treat.
Catfish itself boasts a wonderfully mild flavor and a firm, meaty texture, making it an excellent canvas for a crispy coating. These air fryer fried catfish fillets are absolutely perfect for a flavorful Fish Friday meal, or whenever you’re in the mood for comforting Southern-inspired cuisine without the guilt often associated with deep-fried dishes. The air fryer circulates hot air, creating a beautifully golden and crunchy exterior that mimics traditional frying but uses significantly less oil, making it a healthier alternative.
🐟 How Long to Cook Catfish in an Air Fryer
Curious about the ideal cooking duration and temperature for your air fryer catfish? For perfectly cooked, fresh catfish fillets, you will want to air fry catfish for a total of 9-12 minutes at a consistent temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C).
This timing is specifically for fresh or thawed catfish fillets. If you’re working with frozen catfish, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with separate instructions for cooking catfish fillets from frozen further down in this comprehensive guide.
Achieving the perfect crispness and tenderness requires precise temperature control. The high heat of 400°F (200°C) ensures that the breading crisps up quickly while the internal flesh cooks through evenly. Always remember that cooking times can vary slightly based on the thickness of your fillets and the specific model of your air fryer, so using a meat thermometer is key for guaranteed perfection and food safety.
Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Catfish
Preparing delicious catfish in the air fryer requires just a few key ingredients. Here’s your simple shopping list for creating wonderfully crispy fillets:
- Catfish Fillets: The star of our dish. Opt for fresh, boneless, and skinless fillets for the best results.
- Cornmeal: This provides the signature Southern-style crispy crust.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps the breading adhere to the fish and adds to the overall crispiness.
- Cajun Seasoning: A blend of spices that delivers a punch of flavor. Most Cajun seasonings are quite salty, so additional salt is often unnecessary.
- Buttermilk: Used for dipping, it tenderizes the fish and helps the breading stick.
- Olive Oil: A light drizzle ensures a golden-brown, extra-crispy exterior without the need for cooking sprays.
Specific quantities for each ingredient can be found in the detailed recipe card at the very bottom of this post, ensuring you have everything you need to create perfect air fried catfish every time.
Choosing the Best Catfish for Air Frying
When selecting your catfish, aim for skinless, boneless fillets that are as uniformly thick as possible. I typically use fillets that are between ¼ to ½ inch thick (0.6-1.3 cm) and weigh around 5-6 ounces (142-170g) each. If your fillets have very thin edges, those areas might overcook and become dry before the thicker center is fully done. For sourcing, check your local fish markets, specialty grocery stores, or larger supermarkets like Walmart, where deals on catfish are often available.
While this recipe uses a specific cornmeal breading mixture, you have the flexibility to use a pre-made fish fry mix if you prefer. Excellent choices include Louisiana Fish Fry or Zatarain’s Fish Fry. These can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for the cornmeal breading blend outlined in our recipe, making it incredibly versatile to suit your taste preferences.
Air Fryer Tips & Equipment
One of the beauties of this air fryer catfish recipe is that you won’t need any cooking spray. We achieve a beautifully golden and crispy crust by drizzling the fish directly with olive oil, which also enhances flavor. This method provides superior browning compared to aerosol sprays.
I’ve personally tested this recipe with various models, including a 10-Quart Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven and an Okaysou Air Fryer, yielding fantastic results. Rest assured, you can successfully make this air fried catfish in popular models like a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Nuwave, Pampered Chef, Actifry, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, or Breville air fryer. The key is understanding your specific appliance.
It’s crucial to remember that cooking times can vary significantly between different air fryer brands and models. The first time you try this (or any new air fryer recipe), always check your food a few minutes early. Investing in an instant-read meat thermometer is highly recommended to accurately verify the catfish’s doneness and ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature.
Step-by-Step: Air Fryer Catfish Recipe
Let’s walk through the simple steps to create perfectly crispy and delicious catfish in your air fryer:
Begin by pouring the buttermilk into a medium-sized bowl. In a separate shallow plate, thoroughly mix together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, and Cajun seasoning. Remember, most Cajun seasonings are already quite salty, so you likely won’t need to add any extra salt.
Carefully dip each catfish fillet into the buttermilk, ensuring both sides are fully coated. While some prefer to soak catfish in buttermilk for an extended period to remove any “muddy” flavor, I find this step unnecessary for smaller catfish fillets, as they generally have a milder flavor profile.
Next, dredge each buttermilk-coated piece of catfish generously in the cornmeal mixture. Press the breading gently onto the fish to ensure it adheres well and completely covers all sides, promising an even and crispy crust.
Arrange the breaded catfish fillets in a single layer within your air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray. Crucially, make sure the pieces are not touching each other to allow for proper air circulation and even crisping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might only be able to cook 1-2 fillets at a time, requiring batches.
Drizzle approximately 2 teaspoons of olive oil over the top of each piece of fish. This small amount of oil is key to achieving that beautiful golden-brown color and irresistible crisp texture without deep frying.
Air fry the catfish for 7 minutes at 400°F (200°C). No preheating is necessary for this recipe, saving you time! If you have an air fryer oven, use the top rack position for optimal crisping. After 7 minutes, carefully flip each piece of fish and continue air frying for an additional 2-5 minutes. (My smaller basket air fryer typically required just 2 minutes for the second side, while my larger air fryer oven took closer to 5 minutes.)
Crucially, use a meat thermometer to ensure the catfish has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). The fish should also be opaque and flake easily with a fork. If it hasn’t reached this temperature, add a few more minutes to the cooking time, checking frequently.
Once perfectly cooked, serve your crispy air fried catfish immediately with classic accompaniments like homemade tartar sauce, fresh lemon wedges, and a dash of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
🥶 Frozen Catfish in Air Fryer: Quick Defrost & Cook
While fresh is often preferred, you can absolutely cook frozen catfish in your air fryer with excellent results! If you have time, the best way to defrost frozen catfish is by placing it in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. However, for those busy days when you need a speedy meal, you can air fry frozen catfish directly from the freezer. It only adds a few extra minutes to your cooking time!
To cook frozen catfish: Place the unseasoned frozen catfish fillets in a single layer on your air fryer oven tray or in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 4 minutes at 350°F (177°C) using the top rack if you have an oven-style air fryer. After this initial cook, carefully flip the fish and continue to air fry for an additional 2 minutes at 350°F (177°C).
This initial air frying partially defrosts the fish, allowing you to then proceed with the breading and main cooking steps exactly as you would for fresh catfish in the recipe above. If you are using a smaller, more compact air fryer, you might find that you can slightly reduce these defrosting times, so keep a close eye on your fillets.
✨ Air Fryer Catfish (No Breading): A Lighter Option
For a lighter, gluten-free, or low-carb alternative, you can prepare catfish in the air fryer without breading. Simply adapt my popular air fryer sea bass recipe by swapping the sea bass for catfish fillets. Ensure your catfish fillets are approximately ¼-inch thick (0.6 cm) to maintain a similar cooking time. Season generously with your preferred herbs and spices – a robust Cajun seasoning or lemon pepper blend works beautifully – and air fry until tender and flaky. This method highlights the natural, delicate flavor of the catfish, offering a fantastic healthy meal option.
⏱ Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets & Strips
This versatile air fryer catfish recipe can also be easily adapted to create delicious catfish nuggets or strips. To make nuggets, simply cut thicker catfish fillets into smaller, bite-sized pieces before proceeding with the buttermilk dip and breading. Keep in mind that you might need to double or even triple the breading mixture to adequately coat all the smaller nuggets. Because the pieces are smaller, the air frying time will be reduced significantly.
Similarly, for air fryer catfish strips, cut your fillets into long, thin strips. The total air frying time will likely be shorter than for whole fillets, usually around 6-9 minutes total. Always monitor closely and use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the fish is cooked through, as smaller pieces cook much faster.
🔥 Air Fryer Catfish Keto & Gluten-Free Directions
For those following a low-carb or keto diet, making air fryer catfish keto is wonderfully simple. Instead of the cornmeal breading mixture, substitute it with pork panko (crushed pork rinds). Pork rind crumbs provide an incredibly crispy and flavorful coating that is naturally low in carbohydrates. Since pork rinds are also high in fat, you typically won’t need to drizzle the fish with olive oil before air frying, as the fat from the panko will render and crisp up beautifully.
To make this air fryer catfish recipe gluten-free, the main adjustment involves the flour in the breading. Simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Additionally, always double-check the labels of your cornmeal and Cajun seasoning to ensure they are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain hidden gluten ingredients.
❓ What is the Safe Internal Temperature for Catfish?
Ensuring your catfish is cooked to a safe internal temperature is paramount for both food safety and optimal taste and texture. The minimum safe internal temperature for catfish, as recommended by the USDA, is 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63°C). You can verify this by inserting an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet.
Beyond temperature, visual cues also indicate doneness: fully cooked catfish will appear opaque throughout and should easily flake apart when tested with a fork. Avoid overcooking, as this can lead to dry, rubbery fish. Always aim for that perfect balance of crispy exterior and moist, tender interior.
🥡 How to Reheat Catfish in an Air Fryer
Leftover air-fried catfish can be tricky to reheat without losing its desirable crispness. Fortunately, the air fryer is the ideal tool for bringing it back to life! To reheat catfish, place the cooked fillets in your air fryer basket or on the tray. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for just 2-3 minutes. This quick burst of high heat will revive the crispy coating without drying out the fish.
Cooked catfish can be safely stored in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. However, for the absolute best flavor and texture, air fried catfish is most delicious when prepared and enjoyed fresh immediately after cooking. If you anticipate having leftovers, consider making a smaller batch to ensure peak quality.
🥗 What Goes with Catfish? Perfect Side Dishes
Crispy air fried catfish pairs wonderfully with a variety of classic Southern and fresh side dishes. The rich, savory flavor of the fish is beautifully complemented by a tangy sauce and crisp accompaniments. Here are some fantastic side dish ideas to complete your meal:
- Homemade Tartar Sauce: A creamy, tangy condiment is a must-have for fried fish.
- Lemon Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the flavor of the catfish.
- Hot Sauce: For those who love a bit of a kick, a dash of hot sauce is perfect.
- Frozen Green Beans in Air Fryer: A quick and healthy green vegetable option.
- Hush Puppies: A classic Southern pairing, these savory fried cornmeal balls are irresistible.
- Kale Apple Slaw: A refreshing and crunchy alternative to traditional coleslaw, or simply your favorite coleslaw recipe.
- Instant Pot French Fries: Golden and crispy fries are always a hit with fried fish.
Feeling adventurous? You could even cut the air fried catfish into strips and use them to make flavorful catfish tacos, topped with fresh salsa, shredded cabbage, and a creamy lime dressing. The possibilities are endless when it comes to pairing this delicious dish!
📄 Air Fried Catfish Nutrition & Health Benefits
When prepared in the air fryer, catfish can be a nutritious addition to your diet. Here’s a look at the estimated nutritional benefits for one serving of this air fryer catfish recipe:
- Calories: 253 kcal
- Total Fat: 13.3g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1g
- Cholesterol: 74.4mg
- Sodium: 620.2mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.8g
- Net Carbs: 13.2g
- Protein: 20.7g
- Calcium: 5.8% DV
- Iron: 1.3% DV
- Potassium: 41.1mg
- Vitamin A: 0.2% DV
- Vitamin C: 0.4% DV
Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule:
This recipe is considered a level 2 recipe, suitable for transition or weight maintenance phases. Is air fried catfish healthy? Its healthfulness depends on your individual needs and preparation methods. Catfish is a lean white fish, meaning it’s lower in calories and fat compared to oily fish like salmon. While it contains less of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, it remains a fantastic source of lean protein.
When considering sustainability, some types of farmed or harvested catfish are more sustainable than others. If this is a concern, consult the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch List for informed choices. Catfish is also notably among the best choices for fish with low mercury levels (FDA guidance).
By air frying, we significantly reduce the amount of added oil, contributing to a heart-healthy meal. We specifically use olive oil, which is lower in saturated fat than alternatives like butter. For an even lower-calorie option, consider preparing your catfish without breading, as detailed in the “No Breading” section above.
Nutrition information is for one serving and is an estimate. It will vary based on specific brands and ingredients. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Make Blackened Catfish in an Air Fryer?
To prepare flavorful air fryer Cajun catfish with a blackened crust, simply sprinkle your catfish fillets generously with blackening seasoning. Then, follow the cooking instructions provided in our air fryer sea bass recipe, adjusting for catfish. For best results, use ¼-inch thick (0.6 cm) fish fillets to ensure consistent cooking without needing to alter the cooking time.
Can You Air Fry Whole Catfish?
Yes, you can certainly make a whole air fryer catfish! While this recipe focuses on fillets, whole catfish can also be cooked in an air fryer, often without breading. For detailed guidance on how to air fry a whole fish, including catfish, you can refer to an excellent recipe like this one for air fryer whole fish.
How to Make Air Fryer Catfish Gluten-Free?
Making this air fryer catfish recipe gluten-free is straightforward. The main step is to substitute the all-purpose flour in the breading mixture with your preferred gluten-free flour blend. Additionally, it’s essential to verify that both the cornmeal and the Cajun seasoning you choose are certified gluten-free, as some brands might contain hidden gluten.
What’s the Best Deep-Fried Catfish Recipe?
While this article champions the air fryer for healthier cooking, if you’re truly craving a traditional deep-fried catfish experience, this deep-fried catfish recipe from Food Network by Aaron McCargo Jr. is highly recommended. It features an incredibly tasty beer batter and consistently receives high ratings, making it a top choice for authentic, indulgent fried catfish.
👤🍳️ More Delicious Seafood Air Fryer Recipes
If you loved these air fryer fish recipe ideas and are looking for more quick and healthy seafood options, you’re in luck! The air fryer is fantastic for cooking a variety of fish and shellfish. Here are some other highly recommended seafood recipes perfect for your air fryer:
- Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer: Quick, tender, and perfect for salads or tacos.
- Air Fryer Fish Sticks: A kid-friendly favorite, crispy and ready in minutes.
- Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer: Achieve perfectly flaky salmon from frozen, ideal for busy weeknights.
- Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia: A mild and versatile fish that cooks beautifully with minimal effort.
- Breaded Fish in Air Fryer: Your general guide to cooking any breaded fish fillets to crispy perfection.
- Air Fryer Halibut: A premium white fish that cooks up moist and tender in the air fryer.
While you’re here, don’t forget to explore our entire collection of Air Fryer Recipes for more culinary inspiration and easy meal ideas!
Watch How to Make It!
(Video placeholder: Please refer to the original source for the instructional video on air frying catfish.)
Air Fryer Catfish (Frozen or Fresh Catfish Fillets Recipe)
By Summer Yule
How long does catfish go in the air fryer? You can air fry catfish in only 9-12 minutes with this easy recipe!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 6 votes)
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Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 3
Calories: 253 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb. catfish fillets (454 grams, about 3 skinless, boneless, ¼-½ inch thick fillets)
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional link)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided) (optional link)
Love this recipe? Please leave a comment below 😊
Instructions
To Air Fry Frozen Catfish:
- Place the frozen catfish fillets in a single layer on an air fryer oven tray and air fry for 4 minutes at 350°F (177°C) on the top rack. Then carefully flip the fish and air fry for 2 minutes more at 350°F (177°C). If you’re using a smaller air fryer, you may need to knock a few minutes off the defrost time.
- The catfish should now be partially defrosted, so you can treat it like fresh catfish in the recipe below.
To Air Fry Fresh Catfish:
- Put the buttermilk in a medium bowl. Mix the cornmeal, flour, and Cajun seasoning together and put it on a plate.
- Dip a piece of catfish in the buttermilk, and flip to coat both sides.
- Dredge each piece of catfish in the cornmeal mixture. Make sure the breading covers all sides of each piece of fish.
- Place the catfish in a non-touching single layer in your air fryer basket or air fryer tray. You may only be able to cook 1-2 pieces of fish at a time.
- Drizzle the top of each piece of fish with 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
- Air fry for 7 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Use the top rack position if you have an air fryer oven. Then carefully flip the fish and air fry 2-5 minutes more. (My small air fryer only took 2 minutes; my air fryer oven took 5.)
- Check to make sure the fish reached a safe minimum temp of 145°F (63°C) with a meat thermometer. Add additional cooking time if needed, or serve if it’s at a safe temp.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Kitchen Thermometer
Notes
💬 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). Is air fried catfish healthy? It all depends on what your needs are, and how it’s prepared.
Catfish is a white fish, which means that it is a lean protein. The advantage of white fish is that they are lower in calories and fat than oily fish (such as salmon). The disadvantage is that white fish also tends to be lower in the healthy omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
Some types of catfish are sustainable choices and others are not. It depends on how the catfish is farmed or harvested. If you are interested in sustainability, use the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch List to make sustainable seafood choices.
Catfish is among the best choices for fish that are low mercury (FDA). This fish is also heart healthy, particularly because we’re using less oil by air frying. The added oil here is olive oil, an added fat that’s lower in saturated fat than butter.
To make your catfish meal lower in calories, consider making your catfish no breading. I have tips in the article to make flavorful catfish without breading, using Cajun seasoning.
Nutrition information is for one serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 20.7g
Fat: 13.3g
Saturated Fat: 2.1g
Sodium: 620.2mg
Potassium: 41.1mg
Fiber: 0.8g
Vitamin A: 0.2% DV
Vitamin C: 0.4% DV
Calcium: 5.8% DV
Iron: 1.3% DV
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