Air Fried Southern Catfish

Course: Entree

Cuisine: African American, Soul Food, Southern

Keyword: air fryer, catfish

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 7

Total Time: 12

Servings: servings

Calories: 493kcal

This quick-fix entree takes the grease out of the classic soul food dish without sacrificing flavor or crunch.

In a shallow dish, whisk together the milk, egg, and juice of one lemon until it runs smooth.
The mixture will look curdled after whisking and may thicken up. Set this aside.

Add the cornmeal, seafood seasoning, thyme, and cayenne to a wide, shallow dish.
Use a microplane or zester to grate the reserved lemon peel into the cornmeal mixture.
Using your fingers, toss the ingredients together in the dish. Make sure to break up the lemon zest. Set this aside.

Preheat your air fryer on the "Air Fry" setting to 375°F (190°C).
Spray the basket tray with an even coating of canola spray to prevent the fish from sticking to the basket.
Set up your breading station with the catfish, milk-egg bath, seasoned cornmeal, and the greased tray.
Dip both sides of the catfish fillets into the milk-egg bath. Allow the excess liquid to run off the filets back into the dish.
Lay the fillet into the seasoned cornmeal. Press the catfish into the mixture then flip it over, pressing down again on the other side. This ensures the cornmeal sticks to the catfish well.
Lift the fillets up and shake off any excess cornmeal.
Next, lay the catfish fillets on the greased tray.
Bread a second catfish fillet this way.
Lay two fillets on the tray at a time to allow the air to circulate properly while air frying. Lightly spray the surface with more canola oil. This gives the air fryer something to bind to, which gives the fish some color.
Wait until just before cooking to bread the remaining fillets.

Air fry the catfish in the preheated air fryer for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the exterior is crisp and the fish flakes.
Use a thin, wide spatula to remove the catfish from the tray, and set them in a warm oven while you bread and air fry the remaining fillets.
Serve the air fried southern catfish with french fries, homemade tartar sauce, and creamy coleslaw.
Add a few wedges of lemon to squeeze on the fish and hot sauce if desired.

For a lactose free option, use soy, coconut, or almond milk instead of whole milk.
You can omit the lemon juice and whole milk and replace them with buttermilk.
Replace the seafood seasoning with creole or cajun seasoning.
Use coconut or olive oil spray instead of canola oil.

If you use wild-caught catfish, soak the fillets in 2 cups of whole milk for 10 minutes, then discard the milk before proceeding with the recipe.
You can use an air fryer with a basket but since you can cook only one filet at a time, it will greatly increase your cook time.
Wait until just before you plan to air fry the fish to bread them or they will dry out and get clumpy.
You can broil the catfish fillets on a greased sheetpan. Set the rack of your oven 8 inches from the broiler and broil them for 3 minutes. Flip the fillets and broil for another 3-4 minutes.

Reheat catfish in a 350°F (180°C) air fryer for 1-2 minutes or in the oven, set to the same temp, for 8-10 minutes, or until warmed through.

Store leftover catfish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Freeze:
1. After cooking, allow the catfish to cool completely.
2. Freeze the catfish fillets completely on a lined sheet pan.
3. Transfer the fillets to a freezer-safe container and keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
4. Thaw before reheating the catfish or reheat from frozen as instructed above adding 3 to 5 minutes to account for its frozen state.