Air Fryer Crispy Catfish Nuggets Recipe

I can’t tell you enough how much I LOVE these Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets! They are crispy, delicious, and super easy to make.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Catfish Nuggets

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 255kcal

Author Dana DeVolk

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
In a shallow bowl, combine the buttermilk and egg.
1/3 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg
In a second shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper until completely mixed.
1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1 Tablespoon cajun seasoning, Salt to taste, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dredge each catfish nugget in the cornmeal mixture, then the egg mixture (allow the excess egg to drip off), then again in the cornmeal mixture.
1 pound catfish
Set the breaded catfish nuggets aside on a clean plate.
Once all catfish nuggets are breaded, spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place some of the nuggets into the basket and spray the top with more olive oil; you will have to cook in batches. (The batches will depend on the size of your air fryer.)
Cook for 5 minutes, flipping the nuggets at the halfway point. They are done when an internal temperature reaches at least 145°F.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Make sure your air fryer is preheated to ensure the nuggets cook evenly and get crispy.
Don’t Overcrowd: Cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which helps them cook evenly.
Use Parchment Paper: Place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking if desired.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the Cajun seasoning before adding salt, as some blends can be quite salty.
Try Different Dips: Serve the nuggets with different dips like tartar sauce, ranch, or spicy mayo for variety.
Keep Warm: If making large batches, keep cooked nuggets warm in a 170°F or lower oven while you finish cooking the rest.