Air Fryer Fresh-Caught Crappie

When spring is in the air, fried crappie is what all of the fishermen around here are talking about. This year I left the deep-fryer in the cabinet and used my air fryer for a healthier alternative. Serve with malt vinegar, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, hot pepper sauce, or the condiments of your choice.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 8 mins
• Total Time: 18 mins
• Calories: 200 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• cooking spray
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (Optional)
• 1 pound fresh crappie fillets
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (such as LAWRY'S®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.

Step 2

Place crappie fillets in a bowl. Add salt and water to cover. Cover and let sit to draw out all the blood, about 30 minutes. Rinse fillets thoroughly to remove salt. Pat dry with paper towels.

Step 3

Add cornmeal, flour, seasoned salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne to a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Seal and shake until evenly combined. Drop 2 fillets into the bag, seal, and shake to coat. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining fillets.

Step 4

Spray the tops of the fillets with nonstick cooking spray. Place a layer of fillets in the air fryer basket, sprayed-side down, making sure none are overlapping. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Cook for 4 minutes. Carefully flip and spray any chalky spots. Cook until crispy, about 4 minutes more. Repeat with remaining fillets.