Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs catfish fillets, cut into 1.5-inch nuggets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard

Instructions:

  1. Pat the catfish nuggets completely dry with paper towels to ensure maximum crispiness.
  2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg, hot sauce, and mustard to create the binder.
  3. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Dip each nugget into the wet binder, allowing excess to drip off, then coat thoroughly in the dry cornmeal mixture, pressing firmly to adhere.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the basket with oil and arrange nuggets in a single layer without touching.
  6. Generously spray the tops of the nuggets with oil. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping at the 6-minute mark and spraying again until golden brown.
  7. Ensure internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Let the nuggets rest on a wire rack for 2 minutes before serving.