Crispy Air Fryer Catfish Fillets with Parmesan

Steps

1. 1

   Rinse the catfish fillets and pat them dry with paper towels.

2. 2

   In a bowl, beat the egg. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs, flour, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan.

3. 3

   Dip each fillet in the egg, then coat well with the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off excess.

4. 4

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

5. 5

   Place the fillets in the basket in a single layer without overlapping.

6. 6

   Cook for a total of 15 minutes, adjusting time based on fillet thickness. Turn them halfway through.

7. 7

   Remove when the fish flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature 63°C / 145°F).

8. 8

   Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and serve with tartar sauce.

Shopping list

3 large catfish fillets, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (60g), 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30g), 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (30g), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 small lemon

Recipe story

Parmesan-crusted catfish is a modern twist on traditional fish recipes from Mediterranean cuisine. Parmesan, originally from Italy, has been incorporated into fish dishes since the 19th century when European chefs began experimenting with crispy coatings. This air fryer version maintains the crunchy texture while reducing oil.