Air Fryer Catfish

air fried catfish on an air fryer basket.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 8

Cook Time: 18

Total Time: 26

Servings: servings

Calories: 370kcal

Author: Quynh Nguyen

This Air Fryer Catfish is crispy, golden, and packed with bold Cajun flavor—without the deep fryer! Made with simple ingredients like yellow cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, and butter, it comes together in under 20 minutes. The air fryer gives it that irresistible crunch while keeping the inside moist and flaky. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that still feels like a Southern-style treat.

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Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

4 catfish fillets
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Olive oil spray
lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

Preheat & Prep. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Pat the catfish fillets dry with a paper towel and place them in a bowl. Drizzle melted butter over the fish and rub it evenly on all sides.
Season & Coat. In a shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing it on gently to make sure the coating sticks.
Air Fry. Spray the air fryer basket or tray with olive oil. Arrange the catfish in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Lightly spray the tops with more oil.
Cook & Flip. Air fry for 14 minutes, flipping halfway. Then flip one more time and air fry for an additional 3–4 minutes until the fish is crispy, golden, and cooked through (internal temp should reach 145°F).
Serve. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for a bright, zesty finish.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed.
Pat the fish dry for better browning.
For extra flavor, soak fillets in buttermilk for 30 minutes before coating.

Nutrition