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Air-Fried Lemon Pepper Catfish
- Total Time: 21-27 mins
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 g) catfish fillets, (2 filets-6 ounces each)
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
- Kosher salt or sea salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley
- Lemon wedges
- 1 bundle asparagus, ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup half & half (or a splash of heavy cream)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes.
- Rinse and pat dry the fish fillets. Spray or coat with olive oil spray and season with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and/or onion powder, salt and pepper. Repeat for both sides.
- Lay an air fryer silicone liner or perforated parchment paper inside the base of the air fryer. Lightly spray the liner. (If not using a liner, spray enough oil spray at the base of the air fryer basket to make sure fish does not stick).
- Lay the fish on top of the liner. Add a few lemon wedges next to the fish.
- Air fry at 360°F/182°C for about 6-12 minutes, or until fish can be flaked with a fork. Timing will depend on the thickness of the fillets, how cold the fillets are and individual preference.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve warm with the toasted lemon wedges. Add additional seasonings or salt and pepper, if needed. Plate alongside asparagus and orzo (instructions below).
Asparagus:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Add the asparagus to an oven-safe pan and drizzle with one tablespoon of the olive oil (toss asparagus to coat well).
- Season everything with salt and pepper to taste.
- Move the pan into the preheated oven and roast for 10-15 minutes, depending on asparagus size and texture preference.
Orzo:
- Heat a pan on the stove on medium heat.
- Sauté the orzo in the aromatics (shallots, garlic)
- Add broth (half cup at a time), stirring frequently and letting the pasta soak up the liquid in between each addition. This step will take about 12-15 minutes, so is perfectly timed to finish at the same time as the catfish and asparagus.
- Once all broth has been added and the last bit has been absorbed, you’ll finish by stirring in the half & half, parmesan, dill, lemon zest and salt.
- Once the cheese melts and flavors are fully incorporated, remove from heat and serve.
- Prep Time: 10-15 mins
- Cook Time: 11-12 mins


