Air Fried Southern Catfish

Step 1

In a shallow dish, whisk together the milk, egg, and juice of one lemon until it runs smooth. The mixture will look curdled after whisking and may thicken up. Set this aside.

Step 2

Add the cornmeal, seafood seasoning, thyme, and cayenne to a wide, shallow dish. Use a microplane or zester to grate the reserved lemon peel into the cornmeal mixture.

Step 3

Using your fingers, toss the ingredients together in the dish. Make sure to break up the lemon zest. Set this aside.

Step 4

Preheat your air fryer on the "Air Fry" setting to 375°F (190°C).Spray the basket tray with an even coating of canola spray to prevent the fish from sticking to the basket.

Step 5

Set up your breading station with the catfish, milk-egg bath, seasoned cornmeal, and the greased tray. Dip both sides of the catfish filets into the milk-egg bath. Allow the excess liquid to run off the filets back into the dish.

Step 6

Lay the filet into the seasoned cornmeal. Press the catfish into the mixture then flip it over, pressing down again on the other side. This ensures the cornmeal sticks to the catfish well. Lift the filets up and shake off any excess cornmeal.

Step 7

Next, lay the catfish filets on the greased tray. Bread a second catfish filet this way.

Step 8

Lay two filets on the tray at a time to allow the air to circulate properly while air frying. Lightly spray the surface with more canola oil. This gives the air fryer something to bind to, which gives the fish some color. Wait until just before cooking to bread the remaining filets.

Step 9

Air fry the catfish in the preheated air fryer for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the exterior is crisp and the fish flakes.Use a thin, wide spatula to remove the catfish from the tray, and set them in a warm oven while you bread and air fry the remaining filets.

Step 10

Serve the air fried southern catfish with french fries, homemade tartar sauce, and creamy coleslaw. Add a few wedges of lemon to squeeze on the fish and hot sauce if desired.