Fried Catfish

Ingredients

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the Coating

• In a shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

2. Coat the Catfish

• Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels.
• Dip each fillet into the beaten eggs, then coat evenly in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently so it sticks.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

4. Air Fry

• Arrange the catfish fillets in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
• Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or brush with a little olive oil.
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side lightly with oil.
• Cook until the coating is crispy and the fish flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature 145°F / 63°C).

5. Serve

• Serve hot with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, coleslaw, French fries, hush puppies, or your favorite dipping sauce.