Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets Recipe

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets are a flavorful and healthier twist on a Southern classic. Coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, they make the perfect bite-sized appetizer or easy weeknight dinner with your favorite dipping sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

Healthier Than Deep-Fried: This air fryer recipe for catfish nuggets cuts down on oil dramatically compared to frying, while still delivering that signature crispy exterior we all crave. You’ll get the same satisfying crunch and flavor profile as traditional fried crawfish with significantly less fat!

Quick & Convenient: From start to finish, this air fryer catfish nuggets recipe take less than 30 minutes to make! This efficiency makes it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious and comforting without it taking too much time.

Versatile: These easy air fryer catfish nuggets work beautifully as an appetizer with dipping sauce, a protein-packed main course, or even tucked into po’ boys. Their bite-sized nature makes them perfect for entertaining, and they’re guaranteed to disappear!

Supplies Needed

Air fryer
Paper towels
Sharp knife and cutting board
Two shallow dishes (one for buttermilk, one for breading)
Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

Catfish: Choose fresh catfish fillets with firm, white flesh!
Buttermilk: The acidity helps tenderize the fish and neutralizes any overly “fishy” flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
Garnish: As optional garnishes, use fresh parsley and lemon wedges. For a dipping sauce, I highly recommend making a creole remoulade sauce!

For the Breading

Cornmeal: The foundation of traditional Southern fish frying, cornmeal provides that amazing crunch!
Flour: This helps the breading adhere better to the fish. To make them gluten free, use a gluten free all purpose flour replacement.
Cornstarch: This ensures extra crispiness by decreasing moisture.
Spices: You will need a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, balck pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, kosher salt, dried dill and dried parsley. It seems like a long list, but trust me, this is where all the flavor is at! If you don’t want to make your own lemon pepper seasoning, feel free to use your favorite store-bought version.

ingredients to make breaded catfish for air frying

Preparation

Prep the Fish: Remove the catfish from the packaging, clean it if needed, and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the catfish into 1 inch pieces. Try to create equal size pieces for even cooking.
Soak in Buttermilk: Place the catfish nuggets into the buttermilk and let it soak for 30 minutes to tenderize the fish and remove any “fishiness”.
Prep the Breading: In a shallow dish, mix together the cornmeal, flour, cornstarch and all the dried spices and seasonings.
Coat the Catfish: Remove the catfish from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each nugget in the seasoned cornmeal mixture, ensuring a good, even coating by lightly pressing down.
Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 3-5 minutes.
Lightly Spray with Oil: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated catfish nuggets in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with oil for extra crispiness.
Cook: Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Fish should reach an internal temperature of 145 F. for safe eating.
Serve & Enjoy: Remove the nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve with lemon wedges, fresh parsley and my creole remoulade sauce.

Tips For Air Frying

Prep the fish in evenly sized pieces. This will ensure that the catfish bites all cook in the same amount of time!
Don’t skip the preheat! Preheat your air fryer for at least 3 minutes to ensure immediate searing, which will result in the crispiest air fried catfish nuggets.
Work in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the basket prevents proper air circulation, so for the crispiest catfish bites you might have to cook them in separate batches.
A light spray of oil on both the basket and the tops of the nuggets will help to achieve golden-brown perfection.

What To Pair With It

These air fryer catfish bites can be served in so many different ways! I like to serve them with some classic Cajun and creole sides like skillet cornbread, red beans and rice, chicken and chorizo jambalaya, or crawfish étouffée.

They also go amazingly with a simple side of french fries and a creole remoulade sauce for dipping! For something light and tangy on the side, try some dill pickle slaw or a creamy deli potato salad. To repurpose any leftover catfish bites, replace the shrimp in my shrimp po boys with the crispy catfish!

Cajun foods and sides that pair well with catfish

Storing and Reheating

To store, place cooled catfish nuggets in an airtight container lined with paper towels and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and reheat the bites for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. You can also reheat them in a conventional oven at 375°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes.

Avoid the microwave as a reheating option, since the bites will not turn out crispy!

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