Best 5 Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish Recipes
Craving some crispy, flavorful Southern-style fried catfish without the hassle of deep-frying? Look no further than your air fryer! This innovative kitchen appliance allows you to enjoy this classic dish with a healthier twist, using minimal oil for a guilt-free indulgence. Discover the secrets to achieving perfectly cooked catfish fillets with a golden-brown crust and tender, flaky interior. Our collection of air fryer Southern-fried catfish recipes offers a variety of options to suit your taste buds, from classic buttermilk-battered catfish to spicy blackened catfish and everything in between. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more with every bite.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GLUTEN FREE AIR FRYER CATFISH
Everyone will love this crispy delicious gluten free air fryer catfish. I also include stovetop frying directions for those who do not own an air fryer.
Provided by Sandi Gaertner
Categories Gluten Free Dinner Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Add buttermilk to a bowl and gently place the catfish fillets (or nuggets) into the milk. If you don't have buttermilk, it is easy to make by adding lemon juice to milk. Soak the fish for 30 minutes. This step is important to remove the fishy flavor from the catfish.
- Mix up the cornmeal seasoning mix in a large bag. Place the cornmeal fish breading and seasoning ingredients into a large bag and shake to mix it up. When the catfish is done soaking in buttermilk, hold the catfish over the bowl to allow the extra milk to run off.
- Place the catfish in the bag, one fillet at a time. Shake gently so the raw catfish fillet is coated in the catfish breading mixture. Preheat your air fryer to 375º F.
- Spray the bottom grill of the air fryer with a high heat oil like avocado or canola. (Do not use olive oil or another heat intolerant oil or your fish will turn out rancid.) Place a breaded catfish fillet in the air fryer. Make sure the fish isn't touching so the air can circulate around each piece of fish.
- Spray the top of the gluten free breaded catfish with more oil. This will help the crust get nice and crispy!
- Cook your catfish in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes. The actual cook time will vary depending on the size of your catfish fillets, and whether you use catfish nuggets or fillets. You will know the catfish is done cooking when it is crispy and the cornmeal breading is a golden color.
- Note, many will recommend flipping your catfish over partway through the cooking cycle. I find this difficult without the catfish falling apart in the air fryer. It is up to you if you want to try this. I did not flip it and my catfish was still crispy and delicious on both sides.
- Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the fish and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 250 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 23 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Sodium 577 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g, UnsaturatedFat 5 g
SOUTHERN AIR FRYER CATFISH
Our Southern Air Fryer Catfish recipe is a healthier twist on traditional Southern deep fried catfish. The air fryer method fries without using oil.
Provided by Brooke
Categories Main Course
Time 22m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 400 degrees.
- In a dish, measure and mix your cornmeal, flour, cheese, garlic and onion powders, cayenne, paprika, salt and pepper.
- In a different dish, use a fork or a whisk to scramble up your egg and buttermilk.
- Pat each catfish fillet dry with a paper towel, then dip into the egg mixture, coating both sides letting the excess drip back into the dish. A thin coating is all you need to get the crust to stick.
- Press the catfish into the cornmeal mixture on both sides of fish, making sure to coat fully and evenly.
- Using your tongs, carefully set your fillets evenly on the air fryer basket surface. If you wish to give a light spray of olive oil for extra crispiness and to prevent sticking, do this now.
- Set your timer for 12 minutes, turning with your tongs halfway through the cooking time. At the halfway point, you can also remove from the basket to spray a small amount of lemon juice or oil to prevent it from drying out. Place back in the basket and cook the additional time.
- Remove from air fryer and check to be sure that your catfish is cooked all the way through.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 4 g, Calories 328 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 35 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 147 mg, Sodium 492 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 2 g
SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH
Steps:
- In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, water, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a flat pan large enough to hold the fillets. Spread fish in one layer over bottom of pan, turning to coat each side, and set aside to marinate.
- In a 2 gallon resealable plastic bag, combine the cornmeal, flour, and seafood seasoning. Add fish to mixture, a few fillets at a time, and tumble gently to coat evenly.
- Heat oil in deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
- Deep fry fillets until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding so fillets have room to brown properly. Fish should be slightly crisp outside, and moist and flaky inside. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1427.2 calories, Carbohydrate 131.6 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fat 78.6 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 45.7 g, SaturatedFat 13.2 g, Sodium 799.9 mg, Sugar 5.9 g
AIR FRYER CATFISH NUGGETS
Crispy fried catfish without the guilt of deep frying. Serve with tartar or cocktail sauce for dipping.
Provided by Soup Loving Nicole
Time 22m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place seasoned breading mix in a gallon-size plastic resealable bag. Drop catfish pieces inside, close, and shake to coat fish with breading on all sides.
- Spread out nuggets on a baking sheet and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Place nuggets in an even layer in the air fryer basket, sprayed side down. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Spray the tops with non-stick cooking spray.
- Air fry for 8 minutes. Using tongs, flip nuggets over and cook for 4 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 405.3 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Cholesterol 143.4 mg, Fat 23.6 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 495.6 mg
AIR FRYER BLACKENED CATFISH FILLETS
Air-fried catfish fillets that have a spicy blackened exterior and a tender and flaky interior.
Provided by Soup Loving Nicole
Time 20m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Whisk melted butter, olive oil, and blackened seasoning together in a small bowl until it forms a paste. Brush paste on both sides of the catfish fillets.
- Place fillets in the basket of the air fryer and cook until fish is browned and flakes easily with a fork, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 606.3 calories, Carbohydrate 2.6 g, Cholesterol 174.3 mg, Fat 51 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 33.8 g, SaturatedFat 19.6 g, Sodium 1211.5 mg
Tips:
- To ensure that the catfish is cooked evenly, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 145°F (63°C).
- For a crispier coating, double-coat the catfish in the breading mixture.
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can also fry the catfish in a large skillet over medium heat. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Serve the catfish with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce, remoulade, or comeback sauce.
Conclusion:
This air fryer southern fried catfish recipe is a delicious and easy way to enjoy this classic dish. The catfish is cooked to perfection in the air fryer, resulting in a crispy coating and flaky, tender fish. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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