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Home » Creative Recipes » Main Dishes » Seafood » Air Fryer Fish Tacos With Blackened Catfish

Air Fryer Fish Tacos with blackened catfish, cilantro lime slaw, and chipotle aioli, on a white plate with a blue decorate edge.

Air Fryer Fish Tacos With Blackened Catfish

BY: Michele
PUBLISHED: Mar 4, 2023
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You’ll Love these Air Fryer Fish Tacos made with blackened catfish. It is a tasty, wholesome twist on a classic fish taco.

If you have never cooked catfish in an air fryer, you’ll love this air fryer catfish recipe. It’s such an easy recipe!

4 tacos on a plate with with flour tortillas, and a small blue bowl with a blue and white interior filled with salsa in the background.

Flour tortillas filled with spicy blackened catfish made with Cajun seasoning and topped with Cilantro Lime Slaw, Chipotle Aioli, and Fresh Salsa, these yummy fish tacos are bursting with flavor. It is one of the best easy Air Fryer Recipes!

Unlike my Grilled Mahi Mahi, or Blackened Fish Tacos, which are made with tilapia cooked in a skillet, these Air Fryer Blackened Fish Tacos are made with fresh catfish in an air fryer!

This Air Fryer Fish Tacos Recipe is the best combination of Cajun food and Mexican Food! The air fryer catfish fillets with the cajun seasoning provide the flavor for these air fryer tacos. They are then cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and flavorful finish. The fish pieces are paired with a delicious slaw of cabbage, jalapeno, cilantro, mayonnaise, and lime, making for a perfect combination of flavors and textures.

A side view of a white plate with blue decorations on the edge, with 6 air fryer fish tacos with sliced lime and chopped cilantro with a blue bowl with red salsa in the background. All sitting on a mottled blue and white backtround.
Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love It
  • What You’ll Need
  • Equipment
  • Ingredients
  • Directions
  • Recipe Tips
  • Variations
  • What To Serve With Tacos
  • FAQs
  • More Air Fryer Recipes
  • Recipe

These air fryer fish tacos are a quick and easy weeknight dinner option that the whole family will enjoy.

The blackened catfish adds a nice kick of spice to the tacos, while the slaw and aioli provide a cooling and refreshing balance. Give these tacos a try for your next Taco Tuesday, and you won’t be disappointed!

These air fryer fish tacos are a quick and easy weeknight dinner option that the whole family will enjoy.

Overhead view of a blue plate with blue decorative edges with 6 air fryer fish tacos on a blue and white cement like background, surrounded by sprigs of cilantro, slimed limes, sliced jalapenos, flour tortillas, a small bowl of red salsa, another small bowl of cilantro lime slaw and a partial view of an air fryer.

The blackened catfish adds a nice kick of spice to the tacos, while the slaw and aioli provide a cooling and refreshing balance. Give these tacos a try for your next Taco Tuesday, and you won’t be disappointed!

These tacos are made with Cajun seasoned catfish, cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and flavorful finish. The fish is then cut into pieces and paired with a delicious slaw of cabbage, jalapeno, cilantro, mayonnaise, and lime, making for a perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Fast – The air fryer recipe has a short cooking time, only 17 minutes, so you can quickly have these Air Fryer Fish Tacos on the table.
  • Flavorful – This Fish Taco recipe is flavorful and delicious with the Cajun blackened seasoning, cilantro lime slaw, and chipotle aioli!
  • Easy – This is a simple recipe with ingredients easily found at your local grocery store.
Close up side view of white plate with blue decorative edges with air fryer fish tacos showing the filling of two of the tacos on the plate.

What You’ll Need

Equipment

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product, which does not increase the price.

  • Air Fryer
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef’s Knife
  • Medium Bowl
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Parchment Paper
  • Paper Towels

Ingredients

Below I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions in case you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

Overhead view of individual bowls, each with one ingredient for air fryer fish tacos.
  • Catfish – I used fresh, farm-raised catfish to avoid the fishy flavor of wild catfish. However, you can use any fish fillets, such as cod, tilapia fillets, or mahi mahi.
  • Butter – I used butter for the flavor. However, you could use olive oil or your favorite oil instead.
  • Cajun blackening seasoning – This is a zesty, spicy seasoning with black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and more to give it that Cajun flavor.
  • Tortillas – I used flour tortillas. However, corn tortillas could be used as well.
  • Cilantro Lime Slaw – I made a homemade recipe. However, you could use a coleslaw mix as a base.
  • Chipotle Aioli – You can use store-bought or easily make your own using the recipe below.
  • Fresh Salsa – I made fresh salsa roja (red salsa). However, you could use Pico De Gallo Salsa, Pineapple Salsa, Watermelon Salsa, or Mango Habanero Salsa.
  • Lime wedges – I used lime wedges. However, you could use lemon wedges as well.

Directions

  1. Brush the catfish well with the melted butter, then coat the fish with the seasoning, making sure to press it on.
  2. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and lay the catfish filets in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.
  3. Set the air fryer to 400° and fry each side for 3 minutes.
  4. While the fish cooks, make the slaw by combining the mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt, stirring well. Place the coleslaw, cilantro, and jalapeno together in a bowl, then pour the mayonnaise dressing over the coleslaw and toss to coat.
  5. Heat the tortillas in a pan until lightly blackened, then tear the fish apart and place them in the tortillas.
  6. Add some slaw, aioli, and fresh salsa. Then serve with a lime wedge.

Recipe Tips

  • Flexibility – These tacos are completely customizable. Top with sliced red onion or hot sauce.
  • Best Flavor – For the best-tasting fish, you’ll need the best fish. For catfish, unlike other types of fish, this means buying farm-raised catfish instead of wild catfish. Wild catfish will often eat mud, and this can create a muddy taste or fishy taste. However, farm-raised catfish are raised in cleaner environments and do not have a muddy taste.
  • Chipotles in Adobo Sauce – A tip I recommend after buying this is to pour the contents of the can into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. This turns it into a sauce you can store more easily and use in sauces and other recipes.
  • Garnish – Besides the garnishes mentioned above, you could also garnish the tacos with chopped fresh cilantro or diced jalapenos.
  • Easy Cleaning – Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil to make before cooking the catfish. This makes for easy cleanup, and the fish still cooks up nicely.

Variations

  • Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos
  • Cornmeal Catfish Tacos
  • Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
  • Air Fryer Tilapia Tacos

What To Serve With Tacos

  • Salsa – Besides red salsa, and the salsas mentioned above, you could serve it with Salsa Verde (Green Salsa).
  • Sour Cream
  • Tartar Sauce
  • Tortilla Chips
  • French Fries

FAQs

How Do I Know When The Fish Is Fully Cooked?

Fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. One indication that it is cooked is that the fish flakes easily when you use a fork.

How Do I Store Fish Tacos?

I like to store all the fish taco components separately rather than freezing them all assembled. Place the fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I Freeze Fish Tacos?

Yes, you can store the fish in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How To Reheat Fish Tacos In The Air Fryer?

Set the temperature of your air fryer to 375 degrees F. Place the fish tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring that no tacos are touching each other. Set the time for 3 minutes, and let it cook for 3 minutes or until heated through.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken
  • Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
  • Air Fryer Honey Hot Wings

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Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Blackened Catfish

Flour tortillas filled with spicy blackened catfish made with Cajun seasoning and topped with Cilantro Lime Slaw, Chipotle Aioli, and fresh salsa, these Air Fryer Fish Tacos are bursting with flavor.
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American, Cajun, Mexican
Keyword Air Fryer Blackened Catfish, Air Fryer Catfish, Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 415kcal
Author Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Ingredients

Air Fryer Blackened Catfish Tacos

  • 1 pound catfish
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 1/4 cup Cajun Blackening seasoning
  • 8 flour tortillas 8-inch
  • 1 recipe Cilantro Lime Slaw
  • 1 recipe Chipotle aioli recipe below
  • Fresh Salsa for serving, optional
  • Lime wedges for serving, optional

Chipotle Aioli

  • 1/4 mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
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Instructions 

  • Brush the catfish well with the melted butter, then coat the fish with the seasoning, making sure to press it on.
  • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and lay the catfish filets in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd.
  • Set the air fryer to 400° and fry each side for 3 minutes.
  • Make the slaw by combining the mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and salt, stirring well. Place the coleslaw, cilantro and jalapeno together in a bowl, then pour the mayonnaise dressing over the coleslaw and toss to coat.
  • Heat the tortillas in a pan until lightly blackened, then tear the fish apart and place in the tortillas. Add some slaw, aioli and fresh salsa. Then serve with a lime wedge.

Notes

    • Flexibility – These tacos are completely customizable. Top with sliced red onion or hot sauce.
    • Best Flavor – For the best-tasting fish, you’ll need the best fish. For catfish, unlike other types of fish, this means buying farm-raised catfish instead of wild catfish. Wild catfish will often eat mud, and this can create a muddy taste or fishy taste. However, farm-raised catfish are raised in cleaner environments and do not have a muddy taste.
    • Chipotles in Adobo Sauce – A tip I recommend after buying this is to pour the contents of the can into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. This turns it into a sauce you can store more easily and use in sauces and other recipes.
    • Garnish – Besides the garnishes mentioned above, you could also garnish the tacos with chopped fresh cilantro or diced jalapenos.
    • How Do I Store Fish Tacos? I like to store all the fish taco components separately rather than freezing them all assembled. Place the fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    • Can I Freeze Fish Tacos? Yes, you can store the fish in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • How To Reheat Fish Tacos In The Air Fryer? Set the temperature of your air fryer to 375 degrees F. Place the fish tacos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring that no tacos are touching each other. Set the time for 3 minutes, and let it cook for 3 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 767mg | Potassium: 644mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3738IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 4mg

Filed Under: Air Fryer Recipes, American, Cajun, Cinco De Mayo, Main Dishes, Mardi Gras, Mexican, Seafood

DISCLOSURE: Flavor Mosaic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Please note: This blog may contain affiliate links to products I use and love. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, to help with blog expenses when you make a purchase through an affiliate link. Thank you for your support!

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Michele

Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, wife, and dog Mom, with 20+ years experience as a home cook. I’m the Founder of Flavor Mosaic, as well as the author, recipe developer, and photographer. I share fast, easy, flavorful recipes with bold flavors, featuring Instant Pot recipes and Southern and Mexican cuisines.

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About Me

Hi, I’m Michele, a home cook with 20+ years experience. I created Flavor Mosaic as a place to share our favorite fast, easy, and flavorful creative recipes with bold flavors, including Southern, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Instant Pot recipes. Read More…

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