Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

These Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets are easy to make and so flavorful! Great for a quick weeknight dinner or appetizer for your next game day party! 

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This recipe was photographed and updated 3/2024.

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Shopping list:

• catfish nuggets or fillets, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• creole seasoning
• dried parsley
• egg
• all purpose flour
• breadcrumbs
• paprika
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• garlic salt
• olive oil spray

Today I'm sharing my recipe for catfish nuggets in the air fryer! These nuggets are so quick and easy to make and SO tasty too! I prefer nuggets when I cook catfish. I feel they taste less fishy than a whole fillet and they're more kid friendly too!

This recipe would work great with any fish you have on hand. I always have cod or salmon in the freezer and the rest of the ingredients are staples, so we can have an easy meal ready any time. These catfish nuggets are great for busy weeknights. Serve it with your favorite side, or use them to make po boys or fish tacos. 

If you want to serve these as an appetizer, make the Sriracha Mayo from this recipe for a dipping sauce! They go perfectly together and will disappear fast.

This might sound crazy, but I love the leftover nuggets cold, straight from the fridge as a snack. It's not often we have leftovers, but when we do, they end up being a delicious snack.

If you love making air fryer appetizers or snacks, try these Air Fryer Pizza Wings, Air Fryer Fries Recipe or these Air Fryer Beef and Bean Taquitos!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

You can add or substitute with these ingredients:

• use cornmeal instead of breadcrumbs for a crispier nugget

• use Kinder's Red Jalapeno Garlic seasoning instead of creole seasoning

• use lemon pepper instead of creole seasoning

• use more garlic powder instead of garlic salt to reduce sodium

• use salmon or cod instead of catfish

• serve with lemon slices to squeeze on top

Recipe tips:

• Fresh catfish isn't easily found in my area, so I usually order the frozen fillets from Walmart. If using frozen, make sure to thaw, drain excess liquid and pat dry with a paper towel before marinating.

• If you're short on time, just season the catfish and skip refrigerating before using. It still turns out delicious!

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. This is best reheated in the air fryer to help get them crispy again.

• I did not preheat my air fryer before cooking and used a Ninja basket style air fryer. It tends to run hot compared to other air fryers, so adjust the time accordingly and use a meat thermometer to make sure the temp reaches 145 degrees F.

Yield 4 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

15 Min

Cook time

10 Min

Inactive time

30 Min

Total time

55 Min

Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

Ingredients

• 1 pound catfish fillets, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 large egg
• breading:
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tablespoon creole seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• olive oil spray

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine catfish nuggets, 1 teaspoon creole seasoning and parsley until catfish is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Lightly beat an egg in a separate bowl. In another bowl, mix together the flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ½ tablespoon creole seasoning and garlic salt until combined.
3. Spray the air fryer crisper plate with olive oil.
4. Place half the catfish pieces in the egg and coat evenly. Then add a few salmon pieces at a time to the breading mixture, evenly coat and place on the air fryer crisper plate.
5. Lightly spray the top of the catfish with olive oil, then air fry at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Flip then cook for another 4-5 minutes until crispy and internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
6. Repeat above steps with remaining catfish pieces.
7. Serve catfish nuggets with sriracha mayo sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

218.18

Fat

5.05 g

Sat. Fat

1.33 g

Carbs

18.78 g

Fiber

1.25 g

Net carbs

17.53 g

Sugar

0.69 g

Protein

23.05 g

Sodium

699.56 mg

Cholesterol

112.27 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
• Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set
• OXO Good Grips 6-Piece Plastic Measuring Spoons
• OXO Good Grips 6-Piece Plastic Measuring Cups

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