Description
This Air Fryer Crispy Catfish Nuggets recipe delivers perfectly golden and crunchy bite-sized catfish pieces in just minutes. Coated in a flavorful cornmeal and Cajun seasoning mix, these nuggets are air fried to crispy perfection with less oil, making them a healthier and easy-to-make appetizer or snack. Quick to prepare and cook, these catfish nuggets are ideal for a tasty seafood treat with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt to taste (if needed)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Main Ingredient
- 1 pound catfish, cut into 1″ pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F to ensure it is hot enough for even cooking and crispy results.
- Prepare the wet mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the buttermilk and egg. Whisk them together until fully blended and set aside.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In another shallow bowl, mix together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, Cajun seasoning, salt (if needed), and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Bread the catfish pieces: Take each piece of catfish and dredge it first in the dry cornmeal mixture, then dip it into the wet egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat it again in the dry cornmeal mixture. Set aside the breaded pieces on a clean plate.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the breaded catfish nuggets in the basket, ensuring they are spaced apart for even cooking. Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with olive oil.
- Cook the nuggets: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 5 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through. Ensure they’re cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the crispy catfish nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces like tartar sauce, ranch, or spicy mayo. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispy texture.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to your spice preference.
- Check thickness of catfish pieces for adjusted cooking time if pieces are larger or smaller than 1 inch.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the fish reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F.
- Leftover nuggets can be reheated in the air fryer for crispy results.
