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Southern Style Air Fryer Whiting

Southern Style Air Fryer Whiting - Crispy, Light, and Full of Flavor

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Pre-heat 5 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 to 2 pounds whiting fillets, skinless if possible, patted dry
  • 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice, rested 5 minutes)
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for the wet batter)
  • Nonstick cooking spray or 1–2 tablespoons neutral oil for misting
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the air fryer. Set to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes so the basket gets hot. A preheated basket helps the crust crisp up right away.
  • Prep the dredging stations. In one shallow bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, and hot sauce. In another, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne.
  • Dry the fish well. Pat the whiting fillets dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so take your time here.
  • Coat the fillets. Dip each fillet into the egg-buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off. Press into the cornmeal mixture to coat both sides. Gently shake off loose bits so the crust isn’t dusty.
  • Oil for crisping. Lightly spray or brush both sides of the coated fillets with oil. This promotes browning and keeps the coating from looking dry.
  • Arrange and cook. Place fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd; work in batches if needed. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping once halfway. Fillets should be golden and flake easily with a fork.
  • Season and rest. As soon as the fish comes out, sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let rest 1–2 minutes so the crust sets.
  • Serve hot. Add lemon wedges, a sprinkle of parsley or green onions, and your favorite hot sauce. Coleslaw, hushpuppies, or air fryer fries make great sides.