Catfish Nuggets Recipes – Here Are 3 Quick Recipes For Kids, Adults and Healthy Eaters

Catfish nuggets are a popular delicacy amongst all.

Whether you are 5 or 50, catfish nuggets can be savoured by all. Serve with a tangy sauce and coleslaw for adults. While at the same time, the kids best enjoy catfish nuggets with ketchup and a side of fries.

It’s a filling meal, rich in protein. And can be baked instead of fried if you are cautious about those extra calories. That is if you can resist the crispy deep-fried catfish nuggets.

How To Cook Catfish Nuggets?

Here are 5 catfish nuggets recipes that are sure to be a staple at every dinner party.

We have picked out a few options below a number of which are our fan’s favourite:

1. Catfish nuggets recipe For kids
2. Catfish nuggets recipe for Adults
3. A 5-ingredient healthy Catfish nuggets recipe

Catfish Nuggets Recipe For Kids:

Did you know catfish is packed with protein and omega 3s?

Both of which are highly necessary for a healthy body and mind, especially for kids!

Recipe: Crispy Catfish Nuggets With Dill Cream

Short Summary: Mild tasting catfish nuggets packed with protein, suitable for kids of all ages.

Servings: Makes 20 to 25 nuggets depending on the size.

The preparation time of the recipe: 15 minutes

Cooking Time of the Recipe: 10 minutes

Courses: Lunch / Dinner

Cuisine: American

Equipment:

• Food processor
• Skillet/frying pan
• A set of bowls

Ingredients:

For nuggets:

• 1 lb of fresh catfish
• 1 cup of bread crumbs
• 1 egg white
• 1 Tbsp of lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp of lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp of garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp of sea salt, coarse
• Oil for frying

For dill cream:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp of Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp of fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 tsp of garlic powder
• A pinch of salt

Instructions to make this recipe in steps:

For Nuggets:

• Clean and cut the catfish fillet into smaller processable pieces.
• Now in a food processor, add catfish, egg white, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt and give it a pulse.
• Now add ½ cup of breadcrumbs and pulse again until everything has mixed well together.

Pro tip: Do not pulse for more than a second at one time. Because that will cause the fish to puree instead of chop, do 1-second pulses 10 to 15 times or until everything has mixed very well.

 On a flat plate, add the remaining cup of bread crumbs.

• Now scoop a portion of fish from the processor bowl and give it whatever shape you like. A circular patty is the easiest.
• Now crumb coat the nugget on all sides with bread crumbs.
• Place a skillet on the firestop and heat enough oil to shallow fry the nuggets.
• Then place a few nuggets at a time without overcrowding the pan and fry until they turn golden and crisp. Flip on all sides to ensure even colour.
• Serve hot with ketchup or a classic dill cream.

Pro tip: It also makes an amazing lunch box meal!

For dill cream:

• In a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix.
• Adjust consistency according to your liking by adding either milk or water.
• Drizzle over the nuggets or dip the nugget in the cream. Either way, your kid is going to enjoy it while gaining all the right nutrients!

You may also be interested in How to Make Catfish Tacos 

Catfish nuggets recipe for Adults:

Craving a southern style catfish nugget that is spicy and crusty and too good to resist?

This catfish nugget recipe for adults leaves no stone unturned.

Recipe: Spicy Southern deep-fried catfish nuggets

Short Summary: That perfect crunch paired with the spicy southern flavour makes this deep-fried catfish nuggets a hit at all parties.

Servings: Can generously serve up to 6 people.

The preparation time of the recipe: 10

Cooking Time of the Recipe: 20

Courses: Lunch / Dinner

Cuisine: American

Equipment:

Other than the usual equipment, you will need

• a large pot or skillet for frying
• Blender

Ingredients:

Deep-fried catfish nugget:

• 2 lbs of fresh catfish, cleaned and boned
• 1 cup of self-raising flour
• ½ cup of cornmeal, coarse
• 2 eggs, medium-sized
• 2 tbsp habanero sauce
• 2 jalapeno peppers
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 ½ tsp chilli flakes
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• 3 cups of oil

Tangy Tartar Sauce:

• 1 cup of mayo
• 3 tbsp of hot pepper relish
• 1 tbsp of onion, finely diced
• 1 tbsp of garlic, minced
• ½ tsp of mustard paste
• Seasoning as per taste

Instructions to make this recipe in steps:

For Deep-Fried Nuggets:

• Begin by cutting the catfish fillet into 3-inch pieces. You can also purchase precut fish nuggets.
• Now in a blender, add hot sauce, white pepper, jalapeños, cajun seasoning, and give it a quick whiz.
• Once everything has blended, add the mixture to a bowl with two eggs and mix well.
• Pour this mixture over the sized nugget pieces of fish and sit aside.
• Meanwhile, in another bowl, add the cornmeal, flour, and chilli flakes and mix.
• Using a tong, place a couple of fish pieces in the flour mixture and coat evenly on all sides.
• Next, place a skillet or deep pot on the stove and heat 3 cups of oil.
• Pick up the coated catfish nugget and give them a light tap to remove any excess crumb.
• Dip into hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp.
• Remove from oil and place in a strainer or over a paper towel to eliminate any excess oil.

Pro tip: To ensure the fish doesn’t soak too much oil during frying, make sure to use a cooking thermometer to check that the oil’s temperature is at 375 F (and not lower) before you put the fish in to fry

• Serve hot over a bed of freshly cut cabbage, mini tortillas, a wedge of lemon, and a generous serving of tangy tartar sauce.

Tangy Tartar Sauce:

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
• The real game begins here; place it in the fridge for an hour to let the juices incorporate well.
• For even better results and taste, make the sauce a night before and let it chill in the fridge. Don’t forget to cover it with a lid or cling wrap.

Did your deep-fried catfish nuggets turn soggy minutes after frying?

Make sure to place it on a wire rack or a cooling rack instead, and it will stay crisp even after an hour.

Similar post: Prepare Salmon with Spinach and Feta -4 Easy Ways! 

Quick And Easy Catfish Nuggets Recipe For Healthy Eaters:

The worst part about being on a diet is not just the diet itself; it’s the prep that makes most people hate dieting.

But not if you have quick and easy recipes that require fewer than usual ingredients and can be made without expending too much energy in the kitchen.

Here’s one such catfish nuggets recipe that is both filled with nutritional benefits and also low calories.

Find out how!

Recipe: 5-ingredient low-calorie catfish nuggets recipe with garlic dip

Short Summary: A crispy outer paired with a flaky inside, without all the added calories of frying! Let’s also not forget how hassle-free this recipe is.

Servings: 6 generous servings

Prep time: Less than 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Courses: Lunch / Dinner

Cuisine: American

Equipment:

This is a no-bowl recipe that requires no special ingredients or equipment.

All you need is a gallon Ziploc bag to make these delicious baked catfish nuggets.

Ingredients:

Easy cat-fish nugget:

• 2 lbs of catfish, cut into sized nugget pieces
• 1 cup of cornmeal
• 2 tbsp of Cajun Seasoning
• 2 tsp of garlic powder
• 1 tsp of salt

Low-calorie Garlic dip:

• ½ cup + 2 tbsp of low-fat greek yoghurt
• 3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp of fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions to make this recipe in steps:

Easy catfish nuggets:

• In the Ziploc bag, add cornmeal, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and shake until everything is well combined.
• Now take the sized nugget pieces of catfish and place them in the ziplock bag a few at a time.
• Shake the bag and lay it on a flat surface.
• With the palm of your hands, gently press the catfish pieces through the Ziploc bag to ensure the crumb sticks to the surface of the fish.
• Take out from the bag and lay on a lined baking tray.
• You will have to do a few batches, as overcrowding will spoil the crust from forming.
• Now bake the fish at 400 F for 15 to 20 minutes or until a nice golden brown crust appears.
• Serve fish with low-calorie garlic dip, sliced avocado, a wedge of lime, and some baked quinoa on the side.

Low-calorie Garlic dip:

• In a bowl, add all ingredients and mix well.
• For enhanced taste, make a few hours before serving.

Now that you know 4 amazing ways to make catfish nuggets recipes try them out using special precut catfish available from your grocer.

And let us know in the comments below how it turned out!

See related post: Is Catfish A Good Fish To Eat?