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Crispy Air Fryer Catfish

This delicious crispy air fryer catfish recipe is perfect if you want to cut back on oil or don't want to heat up the house. Tender, flakey catfish is coated in a fish fry mix, then air fried to perfection!
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Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:11 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Soul Food, Southern
Keyword: airfryer catfish, airfryer catfish recipe, fried catfish recipe, healthy fried catifsh recipe, how to air fry catfish
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 4 catfish fillets
  • 1 cup premade fish fry mix
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • olive oil in sprayer

Instructions

Preheat Your Air Fryer:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C) for a few minutes. This ensures that the catfish cooks evenly and becomes wonderfully crispy.

Prepare the Catfish:

  • In a small bowl, mix together the yellow mustard and mayonnaise. This blend will not only add a tangy kick but also help the fish fry mix adhere to the catfish fillets.

Coat the Catfish:

  • Take each catfish fillet and brush the mustard-mayo mixture on both sides.
  • In a separate shallow dish, add 1 cup of your favorite premade fish fry. I used Louisiana Fish Fry. Store bought fish fry is loaded with salt and seasonings, this is where all the seasoning comes from. If you feel you need more seasoning, lightly season the fish filet with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and Creole seasoning before coating in the fish fry.
  • Lay one of the mustard-mayo-coated catfish fillets in the fish fry mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated on both sides. Gently press the coating onto the fillet to make it stick.
  • Repeat this process with the remaining catfish fillets.

Air Fry the Catfish:

  • Carefully place the coated catfish fillets into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the catfish generously with olive oil.
  • Air fry for 11 minutes. Flip the catfish. Spray again with olive oil. Then crank the air fryer temperature up to 400 F and air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes. The catfish should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with flaky, tender flesh on the inside.

To Bake:

  • If you don't have an air fryer you can bake the fish. Place the breaded fish on a baking sheet. Place in a 425 degree oven for 15-17 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. During the last 1-2 minutes of cooking time, broil on low to brown the top. Watch carefully to make sure it doesn't over brown or burn.

Serve Hot:

  • Once your air fryer catfish is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute.
  • Serve your crispy catfish fillets hot with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside classic Southern sides like coleslaw, hushpuppies, or cheesy grits.

Notes

For this recipe I used store bought fish fry. The brand like is Louisiana Fish Fry, however you can use anyone you prefer.  Store bought fish fry is loaded with salt and seasonings, this is where all the seasoning comes from. If you feel you need more seasoning, lightly season the fish filet with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and Creole seasoning before coating in the fish fry.
This is no where near at crunchy as deep fried catfish in oil. I mean com'on it's air fried! HAHA! However, it is CRISPY especially on the edges. Make sure you spray the fish with REAL olive oil, not the olive oil that comes in a premade "sprayer". I put my olive oil in an oil sprayer from Amazon. If you don't have this them lightly brush on the oil. 
You will not taste the mayo or mustard, but if you are really opposed to it, beat 1 egg with 1 tbsp of hot sauce. Use that mixture as your binder instead. 
 
This method works for other fish like swai, tilapia, flounder, and salmon.