Ingredients

For the Catfish
– 2 catfish fillets
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1/4 cup cornmeal
– 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Lemon wedges (for serving)

For the Po’ Boy
– 2 French bread rolls or hoagie rolls
– 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
– 1 small tomato, sliced
– 1/4 cup pickles, sliced
– 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
– 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Catfish
– Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels.
– In a shallow bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Coat the Catfish
– Brush both sides of the catfish fillets with olive oil.
– Dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.

3. Air Fry the Catfish
– Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
– Place the coated catfish fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd; you may need to cook in batches.
– Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the catfish is golden brown and crispy on the outside and flakes easily with a fork.

4. Prepare the Po’ Boy
– While the catfish is cooking, mix the mayonnaise and hot sauce (if using) in a small bowl.
– Slice the French rolls lengthwise and lightly toast them in the air fryer or oven.

5. Assemble the Po’ Boy
– Spread the spicy mayo on both sides of the toasted rolls.
– Layer the shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and pickles on the bottom half of the rolls.
– Place the air-fried catfish fillets on top of the veggies, then close the sandwich with the top half of the roll.

6. Serve
– Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish.