Golden Corral’s crispy fried catfish nuggets are a beloved buffet staple, famous for their perfectly seasoned crust and tender, flaky texture that makes them truly irresistible. This easy copycat recipe shows you exactly how to achieve those moist, bite-sized results at home by mastering the secret to their expertly spiced cornmeal breading.
If you’ve ever visited the buffet, you know that Golden Corral’s catfish nuggets are a true standout—they’re perfectly bite-sized, incredibly flaky on the inside, and encased in a crispy, savory coating that makes them absolutely addictive.
Skip the trip to the restaurant and recreate that delicious Southern comfort food right in your own kitchen with this easy copycat recipe.
If you love easy dinner recipes, try my recipe for air fryer sous vide turkey breast tenderloins, air fryer muffaletta sandwich, or air fryer bibigo mandu dumplings. All of these recipes are huge dinner win!
Be sure to try more of my easy Air Fryer Fish Recipes like AIR FRYER SWORDFISH, AIR FRYER BLACKENED FISH TACOS, AIR FRYER CEDAR PLANK SALMON, and AIR FRYER FISH AND CHIPS.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Irresistibly Crispy Texture: You achieve that perfectly golden, ultra-crispy crust thanks to the seasoned cornmeal and flour blend, just like the nuggets served at the buffet.
- Flaky, Moist Catfish: Soaking the catfish in milk (a classic Southern trick!) ensures the nuggets remain tender and flaky on the inside, preventing them from drying out during frying.
- Authentic Southern Seasoning: The breading is expertly seasoned with a blend of Cajun spices and aromatics, delivering a deeply savory and flavorful taste in every single bite.
- Bite-Sized Perfection: These are small, easy-to-eat nuggets, not large fillets, making them the ideal appetizer, snack, or fun main dish for kids and parties.
- Quick and Easy Comfort Food: Since these are small pieces, they fry up quickly in just minutes, making this a fast way to get delicious, homemade Southern comfort food on the table.
Golden Corral Catfish Nuggets Ingredients
- Catfish Fillets: Use fresh catfish or thawed catfish. You can also use any freshwater fish, mild-tasting fish, or white fish with this catfish nuggets recipe.
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour. For a keto-friendly recipe, use almond flour or coconut flour.
- Potato Starch
- Eggs: Use large, room temperature eggs
- Panko Breadcrumbs: You can also use pork rinds for a keto-friendly recipe or gluten-free bread crumbs, for a gluten free option.
- Seasonings and Spices: Garlic Paste, Lemon Juice, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper
- Serving: Fresh lemon slices, homemade tartar sauce, hot sauce, or fresh dill
How To Make Golden Corral Catfish Nuggets
Step 1: Cut catfish fillet into 1” pieces, then dry thoroughly with paper towels. Place the catfish nuggets onto a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 2: Add flour and potato starch in one shallow bowl. Combine whisked eggs, garlic paste, and lemon juice in the second bowl. Mix panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and black pepper in the third bowl.
Step 3: If you don’t have a preheat option, simply run the air fryer to 400 degrees F, for 3-5 minutes. Then, spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray or nonstick cooking spray.
Step 4: Working in batches of 5-6 catfish pieces at a time, toss the pieces in the flour bowl until evenly coated. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, and lastly, roll the fish in the bread crumbs. Lightly press the bread crumbs into the fish to help adhere. Repeat until all fish pieces are breaded.
Step 5: Arrange nuggets in a single layer in the basket and spray them with oil. set cook time for 5-10 minutes. flipping halfway during the cooking process. Cook for another 5 minutes. Serve fried catfish nuggets with a side of tartar sauce or horseradish dip and lemon wedges.
Easy Copycat Golden Corral Catfish Nuggets Recipe Tips
- Avoid Crowding: Cook in batches so you don’t overload the basket. If the food is too close together, it will not cook evenly and will come out soggy. Space out the catfish nuggets and flip them halfway so that they crisp evenly on all sides.
- Easy Cleanup: If you’d like, you can place a piece of foil in the basket before adding the nuggets. Just be sure to leave space around the sides so the air can still circulate.
- Timing: No two air fryers are the same, so make sure that you watch your food as it cooks. It may be ready sooner or it may need more time.
- Use a Thermometer: Seafood is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Remove a nugget from the air fryer, then insert the probe into the center for the most accurate reading.
- Seasonings and Spices: Adding seasonings and spices to this catfish nuggets recipe is a great way to add flavor and complexity. From Cajun seasoning to Old Bay seasoning, there are lots of different flavors to choose from. Experiment until you find your favorite!
Serving Suggestions
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Steamed Veggies
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potato Salad
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Easy Copycat Golden Corral Catfish Nuggets Recipe Faqs
❄️ How do I store and reheat leftover catfish nuggets? Store completely cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and maintain crispiness, use a toaster oven or air fryer at a medium-high temperature until warmed through, rather than using a microwave.
More Easy Golden Corral Copycat Recipes
Copycat Golden Corral Pot Roast
Golden Corral Fried Chicken Recipe
Golden Corral Banana Nut Bread Recipe (Copycat Version)
Golden Corral Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Golden Corral Chocolate Chess Pie
Golden Corral Peach Cobbler Recipe
Golden Corral Yeast Rolls Recipe
Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe
Golden Corral Carrot and Raisin Salad
Golden Corral Banana Pudding Recipe
Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat
Golden Corral Sausage and Peppers
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Easy Copycat Golden Corral Catfish Nuggets
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound catfish filet, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon potato starch, or use cornstarch
- 3 large eggs, whisked
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cup panko, or Bread Crumbs
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut fish filets into 1” catfish pieces, and dry the catfish fillets with paper towels. Place the catfish pieces onto a paper towel-lined plate.
- Prepare a dredging station. Add flour and potato starch in one bowl. Combine whisked eggs, garlic paste, and lemon juice in the second bowl. Mix panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and black pepper in the third small bowl.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees f, for 5 minutes, spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray, or nonstick cooking spray.
- Working in batches of 5-6 fish nuggets at a time, place catfish in the flour bowl until evenly coated, then dip them into the egg mixture, and lastly, roll the fish in the bread crumbs. Lightly press the bread crumbs into the fish to help adhere. Repeat until all fish are breaded.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange fish nuggets in a single layer in the basket and spray them with canola oil. Set the cooking time for 5 minutes, then turn them over and lightly spray them with canola oil, set the cook time for 5 more minutes.
- Serve fish nuggets with a side of horseradish dip and lemon wedges.
Equipment
- Cooking oil Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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