Name: Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Catfish; 0.333 cup Buttermilk; 1 Egg; 0.5 cup Cornmeal; 0.333 cup All-purpose flour; 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 1 tsp Salt; 1 tsp Pepper

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Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

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Ingredients

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Instructions

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Instructions

Set your airfryer to 390F and let it preheat.

Slice the catfish into 1-inch pieces. Place on a plate and set aside.

Mix the buttermilk and egg in a shallow bowl. Set aside.

Mix together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper in another shallow bowl until well combined.

Coat every catfish nugget in the cornmeal mixture, followed by the egg-milk mixture, and once more in the cornmeal mixture.

After breading all the catfish nuggets, proceed to add them to the preheated airfryer in multiple batches, depending on the size of your airfryer.

Bake the nuggets for 5 minutes, making sure to shake or flip them halfway through.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Buttermilk Brine Magic 🥛
Soak catfish nuggets in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before breading to tenderize the fish and enhance its natural flavor profile.
Cornmeal Crunch Technique 🌽
Mix cornmeal with all-purpose flour and Cajun seasoning to create a super-crispy, well-seasoned coating that adheres perfectly to the fish.
Air Fryer Spacing Secret 🍽️
Arrange catfish nuggets in a single layer with slight gaps between each piece to ensure maximum air circulation and achieve an even, golden-brown crunch.
Breading Double-Dip Trick 🥚
For extra crispy nuggets, double-dip each piece: first in egg wash, then flour mixture, then egg again, and final coating of seasoned cornmeal mix.
Temperature Precision 🌡️
Maintain air fryer temperature at 400°F and cook catfish nuggets for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and perfect golden exterior.