Best Air Fryer Catfish

Looking for an easy weeknight seafood dinner? This Air Fryer Catfish Recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The air fryer creates a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the fish tender and moist inside, all without the mess of traditional frying.

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

• The combination of blackened seasoning and rice flour creates a deliciously crispy crust without heavy breading or deep frying.
• Start to finish, this recipe takes just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
• Using an air fryer means no splattered oil or fishy smell lingering in your kitchen.
• The recipe is naturally gluten-free when made with rice flour.

If you're in love with your air fryer like I am, you'll want to save my Air Fryer Fish Tacos and Air Fryer Panko Fish Sticks.

And if you're looking for a new air fryer for these tasty weeknight meals, check out my favorite version here.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Before we get to the step by step instructions, a few notes about the ingredients:

• Catfish fillets: Choose fresh or thawed fillets of similar thickness for even cooking. Be sure to thaw the fish and dry it well before seasoning.
• Blackened seasoning: Store-bought works well (I love Old Bay's Blackened Mix), or make your own with my simple Blackening Seasoning. Cajun seasoning makes a good substitute
• Rice flour: Creates a delicate crispiness on our seasoned fish. Substitute cornstarch or all-purpose flour.
• Melted butter: Helps seasoning stick and promotes browning. Olive oil works in a pinch.

Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.

Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Catfish

1. Pat the fillets completely dry before seasoning - this is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior.
2. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - leave space between fillets for proper air circulation which helps with crisping.
3. Butter helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning, so don't skip it!

How do I know when catfish is done? 

The fish should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 145°F. The flesh should be opaque throughout.

Can I use frozen catfish fillets? 

Yes, but thaw completely and pat very dry before cooking. Frozen-then-thawed fish is my go-to for this recipe, but it can release more moisture, and we want to be sure that flavorful coating sticks!

How spicy is blackened seasoning? 

Most store-bought blackened seasonings have a moderate heat level. If you're making my recipe, it has a mild-to-medium heat level. If you're sensitive to spice, start with a lighter coating or mix your blackened seasoning with extra rice flour to dilute the heat.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Prep seasoning + fish

Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Mix blackened seasoning and rice flour.

Pat fillets completely dry and season both sides (lighter on bottom, heavier on top).

Brush tops of fish gently with melted butter.

Step 2: Air fry fish + serve

Air fry 12-15 minutes until crispy and cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges and Homemade Tartar Sauce.

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