Catfish Bites with Pimiento Cheese
When I entertain, as a Georgia native, I always love to include my Southern staples. One appetizer that has earned a permanent place on my menu is catfish bites with pimiento cheese and fried green tomatoes. In particular, they join my catfish nugget crostini with remoulade and my catfish and grits shooters as party favorites.
The star of this recipe is the catfish, and not all catfish is equal. I make sure to use U.S. farm-raised catfish, which is always fresh, with a consistently mild, slightly sweet flavor. With this in mind, it is a natural fit for a festive spread next to surf and turf bites and cheesy shrimp and crab dip.
I use the air fryer for both the catfish and the fried green tomatoes. As a result, this recipe takes a few Southern favorites and turns them into something simple and tasty. What’s more, it is ideal for New Year’s Eve at home, alongside my other elevated New Year’s Eve appetizers and a holiday mimosa bar.
What Are Catfish Bites With Pimiento Cheese?
In essence, they are a Southern stack on a skewer. Air-fried catfish is layered with fried green tomatoes, pimiento cheese and baby arugula for a one-bite appetizer.
Ingredients (With Purpose & Flavor Notes)
- U.S. farm-raised catfish (3 fillets). Mild, slightly sweet and the star of the bite.
- Cornmeal (3/4 cup) and Cajun seasoning (3 teaspoons). The coating for the catfish.
- Green tomatoes (2 medium-large). Sliced, cut into pieces and breaded.
- All-purpose flour (1/4 cup), egg (1) and water (2 teaspoons). The first two dredging stations.
- Panko (1/4 cup), cornmeal (1/4 cup) and Cajun seasoning (1 tablespoon). The crunchy coating for the tomatoes.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon). For the air fryer basket.
- Pimiento cheese (1 cup). The creamy layer.
- Baby arugula (2 cups). A fresh, peppery layer.
- Skewers or cocktail picks. For stacking.
Everything I Love for This Recipe
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Air Fryer
Cooks both the catfish and the tomatoes.
Instant-Read Thermometer
Confirms the fish has reached 145°F.
Shallow Dredging Bowls
Three, for the flour, egg and cornmeal stations.
Cocktail Picks
Hold the stacks together.
Olive Oil Sprayer
For the air fryer basket.
Fish Spatula
Flips fillets without breaking them.
Chef’s Knife
For slicing tomatoes and cutting the fish.
Cutting Board
One for fish, one for produce.
Serving Platter
For the finished skewers.
Champagne Flutes
For the toast, as in my photos.
Cocktail Napkins
A must for finger food.
Small Tongs
For breading without a mess.
How To Make Catfish Bites With Pimiento Cheese
Step 1: Prep the Catfish
Rinse the catfish fillets and pat them dry.
Step 2: Coat the Catfish
Mix the 3/4 cup cornmeal and 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning in a large bowl or bag. Add the fillets, two at a time, and shake to cover them. Repeat until all of the fillets are coated.
Step 3: Air Fry the Catfish
Place the fillets in the air fryer basket. Cook at 390°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish reaches 145°F. Set aside, then cut into bite-size pieces.
Step 4: Cut the Tomatoes
Slice the tomatoes about 1/3 inch thick, then cut each slice into four pieces.
Step 5: Set Up the Breading
Set up three bowls: flour in the first; the beaten egg and water in the second; the 1/4 cup cornmeal, panko and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning in the third.
Step 6: Bread the Tomatoes
Working in batches of two, dredge the tomatoes in the flour and shake off the excess. Coat them in the egg mixture, then toss in the cornmeal mixture. Place on a plate and repeat.
Step 7: Air Fry the Tomatoes
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil and gently place the breaded tomatoes in the basket. Cook for 6 minutes at 390°F.
Step 8: Stack
Layer fried green tomato, pimiento cheese, arugula and catfish on skewers, and repeat until all of the ingredients are used.
Catfish Bites with Pimiento Cheese and Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients
For the Catfish
- 3 fillets U.S. farm-raised catfish
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
For the Fried Green Tomatoes
- 2 medium-large green tomatoes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1/4 cup panko
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for the air fryer basket
To Assemble
- 1 cup pimiento cheese
- 2 cups baby arugula
- skewers or cocktail picks
Instructions
- Rinse the catfish fillets and pat them dry.
- Mix the 3/4 cup cornmeal and 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning in a large bowl or bag. Add the fillets, two at a time, and shake to cover them in the mixture. Repeat until all of the fillets are coated.
- Place the fillets in the air fryer basket. Cook at 390°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish reaches 145°F. Set aside, then cut into bite-size pieces.
- Slice the tomatoes about 1/3 inch thick, then cut each slice into four pieces.
- Set up three bowls: flour in the first; the beaten egg and water in the second; the 1/4 cup cornmeal, panko and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning in the third.
- Working in batches of two, dredge the tomatoes in the flour and shake off the excess. Drop them into the egg mixture and stir to coat, then toss in the cornmeal mixture. Place the breaded tomatoes on a plate. Repeat.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil and gently place the breaded tomatoes in the basket. Cook for 6 minutes at 390°F.
- Layer fried green tomato, pimiento cheese, arugula and catfish on skewers, and repeat until all of the ingredients are used.
KEEP HOSTING
More to make and share — seafood bites and southern flavors.
U.S. Catfish Nugget Crostini with Remoulade Sauce
Crostini topped with catfish nuggets and zesty remoulade.
Get the Recipe →
Catfish & Grits Shooters
Mini shooters layering crispy catfish over creamy grits.
Get the Recipe →
Variations
Skip the Frying
If you want fewer fried foods, use a fresh, non-fried slice of green tomato.
Make Them Sliders
Serve the stack on small buns.
Change the Greens
Use your favorite tender greens in place of arugula.
Try Another Southern Bite
When I Love Serving Catfish Bites
New Year’s Eve
Set the scene with my New Year’s Eve tablescape.
Holiday Parties
See how I host a holiday dinner party.
Game Day
Furthermore, they disappear fast.
Cocktail Hour
Pair them with the peartini.
Southern Brunch
Equally important, they bring the fish fry to the table in one bite.
Family Gatherings
A crowd-pleaser for all ages.
What To Serve With Them
A Board
A caviar board or a fried chicken board.
Another Appetizer
Mini fig and brie bites or pear and bleu cheese skewers.
A Dip
A Seafood Bite
Easy crab toast with lemon mayo.
Something Bubbly
Shelf Life & Storage Tips
- Serve soon after frying. The coating is crispest right away.
- Prep ahead. Bread the tomatoes and coat the fish before guests arrive, then air fry in batches.
- Leftovers. Refrigerate the catfish and tomatoes separately from the pimiento cheese and arugula.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature do I air fry at?
390°F for both the catfish and the tomatoes.
How long does the catfish cook?
15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it reaches 145°F.
How long do the tomatoes cook?
6 minutes.
When do I cut the fish?
After cooking, cut the fillets into bite-size pieces before stacking.
Can I skip frying the tomatoes?
Yes. Use a fresh slice of green tomato.
Final Thoughts
All things considered, this bite takes fried green tomatoes, pimiento cheese and catfish and turns them into something worthy of a celebration. Without a doubt, it has a permanent place on my menu.
