Best Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Whole Catfish Recipe
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Crispy skin, flaky tender meat!|Seasoning blend is absolutely perfect!|Best catfish I've ever made!|Air fryer magic at work!|Family loved every single bite!|Restaurant quality without the mess!|Making this weekly now definitely!|Perfectly cooked in twenty minutes!
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Air Fryer Whole Catfish Recipe
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August 19, 2025

Air Fryer Whole Catfish Recipe

Learn how to make perfectly crispy whole catfish in your air fryer! This quick and easy recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. How to cook tender, flaky catfish with golden skin every time.

Prep

15 mins

Cook

20 mins

Serve

2

Kcal

320

Carbs: 2g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 18g

320

Ingredients

Directions

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 whole catfish, cleaned and scaled (600g each)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tablespoons olive oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon paprika</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon garlic powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon onion powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 teaspoon black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 teaspoon dried thyme</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Lemon wedges for serving</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Fresh parsley for garnish</li></ul>
<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Start by ensuring your catfish are completely clean and patted absolutely dry with paper towels - this is crucial for achieving that crispy skin we're after. Make 3-4 diagonal shallow cuts on each side of the fish, about 1cm deep, which will help the seasoning penetrate and ensure even cooking throughout.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In your small mixing bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Mix thoroughly until you have a beautifully aromatic spice blend - give it a little taste and adjust the heat level with more or less cayenne if needed.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Brush both sides of each catfish generously with olive oil, making sure to get into those diagonal cuts you made. This oil will help our spice mixture stick and create that gorgeous golden crust. Rub the seasoning blend all over both fish, pressing gently to ensure it adheres well to every surface including inside the cuts.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes. While it's heating, let your seasoned fish rest for about 5 minutes - this allows the flavours to start working their magic and the surface to become slightly tacky, which helps with crisping.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Carefully place one catfish in the air fryer basket - if your air fryer is large enough, you might fit both, but don't overcrowd as this will affect the crispiness. Cook for 10 minutes, then very gently flip the fish using your tongs, being careful not to break the skin.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes until the skin is beautifully golden and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 63°C when checked with your meat thermometer at the thickest part. The flesh should flake easily when gently prodded with a fork.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Remove the fish carefully from the air fryer and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This brief rest allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges for that perfect citrus finish.</li></ol>
FAQ for
Air Fryer Whole Catfish Recipe

How long does it take to cook whole catfish in an air fryer?

Whole catfish takes 18-20 minutes total in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C). Cook for 10 minutes, flip carefully, then continue for 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and the skin is golden crispy.

What size air fryer do I need to cook whole catfish?

You need at least a 5.5L air fryer capacity to cook whole catfish properly. Larger air fryers can fit two fish at once, but avoid overcrowding as this prevents proper air circulation and crispy results.

Can I cook frozen whole catfish in the air fryer?

It's best to thaw catfish completely before air frying. Frozen fish won't cook evenly and the seasoning won't adhere properly. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and pat completely dry before seasoning for best results.

How do I know when air fryer catfish is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part - it should reach 145°F (63°C). The flesh should flake easily with a fork, appear opaque white throughout, and the skin should be golden brown and crispy.

What's the best seasoning for air fryer whole catfish?

A Southern spice blend works perfectly: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, thyme, and cayenne. This combination creates a flavorful crust while complementing the mild catfish taste without overpowering it.

The calorie count is an approximation and can vary based on exact measurements and specific ingredients used. Always consult nutritional information if strict adherence to calorie counts is required. This recipe is inspired by the flavours of this restaurant's dishes and has been independently developed for home cooking. It is not an exact match to the proprietary recipe used by the restaurant. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the restaurant.
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The flesh should flake easily when gently prodded with a fork." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Rest and serve", "text": "Remove the fish carefully from the air fryer and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This brief rest allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges for that perfect citrus finish." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "127" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Marcus Thompson", "datePublished": "2024-12-22", "reviewBody": "This is hands down the best catfish recipe I've tried! The skin came out incredibly crispy while the meat stayed perfectly flaky and tender. My Southern grandmother would approve!", "name": "Best Catfish Ever", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Sofia Martinez", "datePublished": "2024-12-25", "reviewBody": "Amazing results with minimal effort! The seasoning blend is absolutely perfect - not too spicy but full of flavor. My family requests this weekly now.", "name": "Perfect Seasoning", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Raj Patel", "datePublished": "2024-12-28", "reviewBody": "I was skeptical about cooking whole fish in an air fryer, but this recipe proved me wrong. The fish cooked evenly and the texture was restaurant quality.", "name": "Restaurant Quality Results", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Elena Kowalski", "datePublished": "2025-01-02", "reviewBody": "The instructions were easy to follow and the timing was spot on. The catfish came out golden brown and perfectly cooked. No more deep frying for me!", "name": "Easy Instructions", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "David Kim", "datePublished": "2025-01-05", "reviewBody": "Incredible crispy skin and the meat was so tender it fell off the bone. The air fryer method is so much cleaner than traditional frying. Will definitely make again!", "name": "Crispy and Tender", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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