Can I use frozen catfish for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw it completely and pat it very dry before breading. Frozen catfish often releases more moisture during cooking, which can make the coating less crispy. I recommend fresh catfish for the best results, but properly thawed fish will work in a pinch.

Why didn't my coating stick to the fish?

This usually happens when the fish is too wet or the air fryer isn't preheated. Make sure to pat the catfish completely dry before starting the breading process, and don't skip the egg mixture step, which acts as the "glue" for your coating. Also, letting the breaded nuggets rest for 5 minutes before cooking helps the coating adhere.

Is there a substitute for buttermilk?

Absolutely! Make your own by adding 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1/3 cup of regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. You can also use plain yogurt thinned with a splash of milk, or even just regular milk with a splash of lemon juice added directly to it.

Can I make these nuggets without an air fryer?

Yes! Bake them in a 400°F oven for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also shallow fry them in about 1/4 inch of oil for 2-3 minutes per side. The air fryer method uses less oil and creates less mess, but these alternatives work well too.

Air Fryer Crispy Catfish Nuggets Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Crispy Catfish Nuggets Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup buttermilk; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup cornmeal; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning; Salt to taste (optional); 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 pound catfish, cut into 1″ pieces

Description

Enjoy these perfectly crispy and flavorful Catfish Nuggets made effortlessly in the air fryer! Coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust and cooked to golden perfection, this recipe is a quick and delicious way to serve up catfish. Perfect for appetizers, snacks, or even as the star of your meal, these nuggets pair wonderfully with your favorite dips.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Wet Batter

1/3 cup buttermilk
1 large egg

Dry Coating

1/2 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Salt to taste (optional)
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Main Ingredients

1 pound catfish, cut into 1″ pieces

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Instructions

Preheat the Air Fryer:
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 390°F. This ensures the catfish nuggets cook evenly and achieve a perfectly crisp texture.
Prepare the Wet Batter:
In a shallow bowl, combine the buttermilk and egg. Whisk them together well until fully blended.
Mix the Dry Coating:
In a second shallow bowl, mix together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Dredge the Nuggets:
Take each catfish piece and first coat it in the dry mixture. Then dip it in the wet batter, letting any excess drip off, before coating it once more in the dry mixture. Repeat for all pieces and set them aside on a clean plate.
Prepare the Air Fryer Basket:
Spray your air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Cook the Nuggets:
Arrange the coated catfish nuggets in a single layer within the basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Spray the tops lightly with more olive oil spray. Cook in batches if necessary.
Flip and Finish Cooking:
Cook the nuggets for 5 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The nuggets are done when the coating is crispy and their internal temperature reaches at least 145°F.

Notes

Preheat for Even Cooking: Always preheat your air fryer for better texture and cooking results.
Don’t Overcrowd: Overcrowding the air fryer basket may lead to uneven cooking, so cook in small batches if necessary.
Use Parchment Paper: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking if you prefer.
Adjust Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning can sometimes be salty, so taste it first before adding extra salt to the recipe.
Serve with Dips: These nuggets pair wonderfully with tartar sauce, ranch dressing, or spicy mayo.
Keep Warm: Keep cooked nuggets warm in a low oven (170°F) while finishing the remaining batches.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4-5 nuggets
Calories: 300
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 95mg