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.
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 373kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Catfish
- 1 cup Buttermilk
Breading Ingredients
- 1 cup Cornmeal fine
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1.5 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt (if the lemon pepper seasoning doesn't have salt, add an additional 1/2 tsp)
- 1/2 tsp Dried Dill
- 1/2 tsp Dried Parsley
Optional Garnishes
- 1 batch Creole Remoulade Sauce for dipping
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley
- 1/2 Lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- 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.
- Place the catfish nuggets into the buttermilk and let it soak for 30 minutes to tenderize the fish and remove any "fishiness".
- In a shallow dish, mix together the cornmeal, flour, cornstarch and all the dried spices and seasonings.
- 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 your air fryer to 400°F for about 3-5 minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Notes
For extra crunch, double-coat the nuggets by dipping them back into the buttermilk and cornmeal mixture before air frying if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 4oz. | Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 407mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 416IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 3mg