Description
These Air Fryer Crispy Catfish Nuggets are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried fish. The buttermilk marinade keeps the catfish moist, while the cornmeal coating crisps up perfectly in the air fryer, resulting in golden nuggets of goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Catfish Nuggets:
- 1 pound catfish fillets, cut into 1-inch nuggets
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
For the Breading:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray or oil mister
Instructions
- Marinate the Catfish: In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add catfish nuggets and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Breading: In a separate bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Catfish: Remove the catfish nuggets from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Dredge each nugget in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly.
- Air Fry: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with oil. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the breading.
- These nuggets pair well with tartar sauce or spicy remoulade.
- You can substitute catfish with tilapia or cod if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
