Quick Air Fryer Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Zesty Lemon Aioli

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Crisp air-fried catfish fillets seasoned with Cajun spices paired with a bright, creamy lemon aioli, reflecting regional American flavors. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, Cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 fillets (about 5 oz each) catfish fillets
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

The air fryer we’d crisp this in → Best Air Fryers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and brush 1 tbsp olive oil evenly over both sides.
Step 2: Sprinkle 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning evenly over the fillets, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 3: Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring space between them. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and edges are lightly crisp.
Step 4: While the fish cooks, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 5: Serve the catfish hot with a generous dollop of the zesty lemon aioli on the side.