Description
These Air Fryer Crispy Catfish Nuggets are a delicious Southern-inspired dish that’s easy to make and healthier than traditional fried fish. The catfish is marinated in buttermilk, coated in a flavorful cornmeal mixture, and air-fried to golden perfection. Serve these crunchy nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade:
- 1 pound catfish fillets, cut into bite-sized nuggets
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
Coating:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Marinate the Catfish: Combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add catfish nuggets and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Prepare Coating: Mix cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat and Air Fry: Dredge marinated catfish in coating, then air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve: Enjoy hot with dipping sauce.
Notes
- For extra crunch, spray with oil halfway through cooking.
- You can use cod or tilapia as alternatives to catfish.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes (including soak time)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 pound nuggets
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
