Get ready to make a delicious dinner tonight with less than 3 ingredients that can easily be made gluten-free with these Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets!
Do you ever feel like you made a huge dinner win? That’s exactly how I felt when I made these catfish nuggets and paired the nuggets with Air Fryer Hush Puppies, it’s completely gluten-free.
All you need to do is pair it with homemade tartar sauce and you have a fish fry ready to serve.

What do you need for Easy Air Fryer Catfish?
- Catfish Fillets
- Fish Fry Mix
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray or Grapeseed Oil Cooking Spray (Higher Smoke Point)
That is all you need, just 3 ingredients there is no egg mixture or flour needed for this recipe but for a traditional take on fish breading, check out this Air Fried Fish recipe.
How do you make Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets Recipe?
Remember that although these are catfish nuggets, this recipe can be followed with whole fish fillets as well.
If you are using catfish fillets, simply cut them into smaller pieces to create your catfish nuggets. Make these about the size of chicken nuggets.
Once you have them cut, use a paper towel and lightly dab them to get any excess moisture off the catfish, and then set them aside.
Using a small, shallow bowl, add your fish fry to the bowl. Dip the catfish pieces into the fish fry and coat evenly.

At this point, you can coat the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray such as olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray before placing the catfish into the basket.
Once the basket is prepared, place the fish in a single layer. Be sure to leave room on each side of the nuggets to be sure that hot air is able to circulate around them. Then add a nice, even coat of cooking oil spray to each fillet.
Cooking Oil Spray does need to be used this is what will make them crispy catfish nuggets. This is also much less oil than traditional deep frying, it will only be a light coat.
Once they have air-fried for about 10 minutes of cook time, carefully flip the catfish over add more cooking oil spray, and continue cooking until they are crispy on the outside. This is between 8-10 minutes, ending the cooking time with the perfect crispy coating.
Remember that all air fryers heat differently, so it’s always a must to keep a close eye on them during cooking process.
How do you know fish is well done?
Catfish should be able to easily flake with a fork and have an internal temperature of at least 145Β°F to be considered done.
This can be checked with a meat thermometer.
How do you store air-fried catfish nuggets?
Place the nuggets in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
They can be reheated in a microwave-safe dish for 2-3 minutes or on medium-high heat in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes.
What should you serve with Easy Air Fryer Catfish?

Which Fish Fry should you use?
Choosing the right fish fry is important and be sure that it also has spices and seasonings in it. If it does not, then you can easily add salt, ground pepper, and some Old Bay Seasoning to spice up your fish fry.
Gluten-Free Option – Riceland Fish Fry
Traditional Option – Louisiana Fish Fry
If you want all these recipes right at your fingertips, be sure to grab the e-book. This e-book features 15 Easy Air Fryer Recipes!
These crispy nuggets are the perfect easy dinner or finger food served alongside your favorite dipping sauce. Plus, the bonus is that they use simple ingredients and are literally ready in minutes. Enjoy these delicious catfish nuggets!

Easy Air Fryer Catfish
Ingredients
- 4 Catfish Fillets or Catfish Nuggets
- 1/2 Cup Gluten Free Fish Fry
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Coat each catfish fillet or nugget with an even coat of fish fry.
- Place in the air fryer and spray the olive oil spray on one side of the catfish.
- Cook at 390Β°F for 10 minutes.
- Carefully flip the catfish, coat it with spray, and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition

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Straight corn meal works too. Great for 50 years in my family. For hush puppies, try adding ketchup, onions and beer to the meal. Again. 50 years makes perfect. If you can find someone who sells the whole catfish, of course skinned, without the head, but with the tail, not just the filets, you will be in heaven.
That sounds perfect to me!
Why so long? I bake my fish in the oven at 375 for 11 minutes.