Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets
If you’re craving something crispy, comforting, and easy, these Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets are about to be your new favorite dinner. They’ve got that classic Southern fish fry flavor without the mess, grease, or cost of takeout — and the air fryer does all the hard work for us.
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This is one of those recipes I make when I want something that feels special but still fits into a busy weeknight. Catfish nuggets cook fast, the coating gets perfectly crunchy, and that garlic bay aioli? Whew. Don’t skip it — it takes these nuggets straight over the top.
If you love easy air fryer meals, make sure to check out my other favorites like Air Fryer Chicken Quarters, Air Fryer Gnocchi, and Nutella Dessert Pizza that pair perfectly with just about anything fried.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Budget-Friendly: Catfish nuggets are affordable and stretch a long way for feeding the family.
- Crispy Without Deep Frying: You get that golden crunch without standing over hot oil.
- Quick & Easy: From prep to plate in under 30 minutes.
- Perfect for Dipping: That garlic bay aioli is creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Shallow mixing bowl
- whisk
- Gallon-size storage bag
- Cooking oil spray
- Cutting Board and Knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound catfish fillets
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup fine cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning Old Bay or the like
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
Garlic Bay Aioli Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning Old Bay or the like
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Let the fillets dry to touch, and then chop into 1” – 2” nugget pieces.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the butter milk with the whisked egg.
- Add the nuggets to the milk wash and make sure the fish is fully coated.
- in a large gallon storage bag, combine the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder and seafood seasoning, shake it well.
- Add the nuggets to the flour cornmeal mixture, shake the nuggets until they are fully coated.
- Fully spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the nuggets. Coat the nuggets in oil and cook in the air fryer at 370ºf for 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Mix the ingredients for the aioli and serve with your favorite fried potato.
Notes
- Cut nuggets evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- Shake the coating bag well for even seasoning.
- Lightly oil both the basket and the nuggets.
- Let nuggets rest a minute after cooking for max crispiness.
Storage
Storage:Store leftover catfish nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed and crispy again. Freezing:
Freeze cooked nuggets on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer.
Disclaimer:
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
Nutrition
Wendy’s Tips
- Pat the catfish dry before cutting so the coating sticks better.
- Shake off extra breading before air frying to avoid dry spots.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket — cook in batches if needed.
- Spray the nuggets generously with oil for the crispiest crust.
- Variation: Swap catfish for tilapia or cod if that’s what you have on hand.
- Spicy Option: Add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce to the buttermilk wash.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes! Bake at 425°F on a greased baking sheet for about 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
They should be golden brown on the outside and flake easily with a fork on the inside.
You can, but buttermilk gives better flavor and helps the coating stick. In a pinch, add a splash of lemon juice to regular milk.
It’s not required, but flipping halfway can help them brown more evenly.
