Easy Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets (Cornmeal Breading)
Catfish nuggets with an easy cornmeal breading as ready in 15 minutes or less in your air fryer. The breading will get crispy, while the fish stays juicy and flaky!
1Poundcatfish nuggets or filets, skin removed(defrosted if frozen)
10Ouncepackage seasoned fish fry breading (such as Louisiana Fish Fry Products or Zatarain’s)
1TbspCajun or Creole seasoning (optional)such as Tony Chachere’s
Nonstick spray
Dipping sauce or sandwich fixings as desired(optional)
Instructions
Cut your catfish into 1” chunks, and pat dry with a paper towel
1 Pound catfish nuggets or filets, skin removed
Pour cornmeal breading mix into a mixing bowl or Ziploc style bag. Add any other desired seasonings at this time and stir in well (optional)
10 Ounce package seasoned fish fry breading, 1 Tbsp Cajun or Creole seasoning (optional)
Add the catfish nuggets to the bowl or bag and toss to coat evenly in the breading
Preheat your air fryer to 400℉
Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray
Nonstick spray
Shake off any loose or excess breading, and add the catfish nuggets to the air fryer basket in a single layer
Spritz the nuggets with a little bit of nonstick spray or other oil mist (optional, only if not using air fryer specific seasoning)
Cook nuggets on air fry setting for 5 minutes at 400℉, then flip and reapply oil
Continue cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until breading browns and catfish reaches an internal temperature of 145℉
Serve with lemon wedges, your favorite sauces, or on a sandwich!
Dipping sauce or sandwich fixings as desired
Notes
Catfish filets are usually easiest to find, but sometimes your local grocer or fish market will have nugget sized trimmings already. If you don’t like catfish, this recipe works with other white fish as well - try substituting tilapia, cod, haddock or bass.
This recipe uses a cornmeal based breading mix. If you can find an air fryer specific one, feel free to use that and omit the additional oil (it comes with it in the mix). This amount breads between 2-3 pounds so if you want to make more you can
If you prefer to make your own breading mix, use ½ cup each flour and cornmeal. Add ½ Tablespoon each of garlic powder and Cajun or blackening seasoning
You can also add some additional seasoning to the pre-made mix if desired (like I have here). Cajun, Creole or Old Bay seasoning are great options for extra flavor or spice
You may soak your catfish nuggets in milk ahead of time to eliminate any fishy smells. Just make sure to still pat them dry before breading
My nuggets were perfectly cooked after 12 minutes in a Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. Other air fryers, thickness of nuggets, and how densely you place them into the basket will cause this to vary slightly
If you don’t pat your fish dry well, you’ll end up with less crispy breading. They’ll still taste good, but you won’t get the exterior crunch
Nutrition assumes use of the entire container of breading (which won’t truly be the case) so adjust expectations accordingly. In addition, values will vary based on brand, additional seasonings, any sauces added, and total amount consumed, so consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fry fish nuggets, air fryer catfish nuggets, air fryer catfish nuggets cornmeal, air frying catfish nuggets, catfish, catfish nuggets, how long to air fry catfish nuggets, how to air fry catfish nuggets, how to cook catfish nuggets in air fryer, ninja air fryer catfish nuggets