Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds

Name: Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: keto
Ingredients: Cheese curds; Swai White Fish Fillets; Olive Or Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Seasoning; White pepper, ground; Paprika; Curry powder; Onion powder; Oregano, dried; Raw egg, white; Avocado oil

483 ratings

Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds dish

Prepare Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

If you liked eating fish sticks as a kid, you’ll really like this way healthier adult version of fish sticks! The frozen, breaded fish sticks you ate when you were younger were probably made with tilapia or cod from questionable origins, but this Keto version is made with Swai catfish fillets. Swai is a very mild fish and extremely similar to cod in taste. Instead of coating your fish sticks in breadcrumbs and deep-frying them in corn or vegetable oil, your fish sticks are made in an air fryer. All they need are some seasonings and a little olive oil! Served alongside your fish sticks are hot, gooey, fried cheese curds. These cheese curds are made with a Keto egg white batter and fried in avocado oil. That’s right, you can eat fried foods and hot cheese on the Keto diet! ### What Are Cheese Curds? When milk is being made, thick pieces of coagulated dairy have to be separated from the liquid. These thick pieces are called curds, and this is where cheese curds come from. Cheese curds are usually a snack eaten across North America. In the United States, cheese curds are normally fried, like in this recipe. In other areas of North America, cheese curds are melted over chips and french fries or simply used as a crumbled cheesy topping. ### Are Swai And Catfish The Same? Swai is the name of a type of Asian catfish. It’s a common farm-raised fish that is affordable and easy to get your hands on at a store. If you can’t happen to find Swai fillets, you can absolutely substitute them with another variety of catfish. This won’t change your macros for the recipe. For comparison, Swai typically has a much less gamey flavor than other species of catfish. Jessica L.

How to make Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds

Before you make this recipe, separate your cheese curds and place them in your freezer arranges on a small plate or tray. Let them freeze for at least 30 minutes before frying the curds. After about 10 minutes, you can prepare the catfish. Rub olive oil into both sides of any swai fillets you have. In a small dish, make a spice mix of the Old Bay seasoning, white pepper, paprika, curry powder, onion powder, and dried oregano. Rub the spice seasoning into both sides of your fillets until all the flesh is covered in spices.
Cut the swai fillets into fish sticks with approximately 4x1-inch dimensions. Arrange the fish sticks on your air fryer tray. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees for 5 minutes, then place the tray of catfish sticks into your air fryer. Fry the fish sticks for 15 minutes or more, flipping them over halfway through if you notice the spices aren’t frying on one side. Fry until the seasoning on the fish sticks is dry like a fried breading and golden brown.
While the fish is in your air fryer, return your focus to the cheese curds. Whip an egg white in a stand mixer at high speed until you have stiff peaks. Make sure your mixing bowl is clean and you don’t have any yolk in the egg white, or else the whites won’t whip. Pour avocado oil into a pan for deep frying until it’s 1 ½ - 2 inches deep. Don’t worry, you will only be consuming a fraction of this oil! Heat the avocado oil over high heat until the oil reaches 375 degrees. You can test if the oil is ready by placing a small dollop of egg whites in the pan to see if it fries.
Grab a handful of frozen cheese curds from your freezer and place them in a small mixing bowl. Scoop some of the whipped egg white into the bowl and fold the cheese curds over until they’re coated in egg white. Scoop the coated cheese curds in the frying oil. Let the cheese curds fry for only about 60-90 seconds until the outside is fried to a dark golden. You may need to flip the cheese curds over as they fry. Scoop the fried cheese curds with a heat-safe slotted spoon onto a new plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil. Continue this process until all your cheese curds are fried.

Ingredients of Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds

Ingredient	Quantity
1. Cheese curds	undefined
2. Swai White Fish Fillets	undefined
3. Olive Or Extra Virgin Olive Oil	undefined
4. Seasoning	undefined
5. White pepper, ground	undefined
6. Paprika	undefined
7. Curry powder	undefined
8. Onion powder	undefined
9. Oregano, dried	undefined
10. Raw egg, white	undefined
11. Avocado oil	undefined

Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds nutrients

caloriesKCal: 421.945 caloriesKJ: 1765.417 totalCarbs: 6.55 diabetesCarbsADA: 6.55 netCarbs: 4.893 diabetesCarbs: 4.897 fiber: 1.65 starch: 0.878 sugar: 1.439 addedSugar: 0 sugarAlcohols: 0.007 protein: 47.497 fat: 23.672 transFat: 0.408 monousatFat: 9.48 polyunsatFat: 1.773 omega3Fat: 0.118 omega6Fat: 1.418 saturatedFat: 8.315 cholesterol: 73.92 vitaminA: 157.194 vitaminC: 0.548 vitaminD: 0.212 vitaminE: 2.162 vitaminK: 13.432 vitaminB1: 0.027 vitaminB2: 0.294 vitaminB3: 0.258 vitaminB5: 0.328 vitaminB6: 0.099 vitaminB12: 0.967 potassium: 190.453 magnesium: 25.557 calcium: 420.029 iron: 0.988 zinc: 2.231 copper: 0.062 phosphorus: 327.153 sodium: 1092.883 selenium: 19.706 folate: 19.16 choline: 10.251 alcohol: 0 caffeine: 0 gluten: 0 manganese: 0.218 conjugatedLinoleicAcid: 0.054 phyticAcid: 30.32 xylitol: 0 isomalt: 0 sorbitol: 0 maltitol: 0 lactitol: 0 erythritol: 0 pinitol: 0 inositol: 0.007 mannitol: 0

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still enjoy desserts on a keto diet?

Yes, you can make keto-friendly desserts using almond flour, coconut flour, and natural sweeteners. These treats can satisfy your cravings without derailing your progress.

Is fruit allowed on a keto diet?

While many fruits are high in carbs, some berries like strawberries and blackberries can be consumed in moderation on a keto diet.

Can I have mayonnaise on a keto diet?

Yes, full-fat mayonnaise is keto-friendly. Look for options without added sugars or unhealthy oils.

How does the keto diet affect cholesterol levels?

For many people, the keto diet can improve cholesterol profiles by increasing HDL ('good') cholesterol and decreasing triglycerides. However, individual responses may vary.

Are energy drinks suitable for a keto diet?

Most energy drinks contain added sugars or high-carb ingredients. Look for options that are sugar-free and have minimal carbs.

Author David Brown

Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still enjoy desserts on a keto diet?

Is fruit allowed on a keto diet?

Can I have mayonnaise on a keto diet?

How does the keto diet affect cholesterol levels?

Are energy drinks suitable for a keto diet?

Related Recipes

Keto Bacon Wrapped Ribs w Vegetable Kebabs

Keto Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp w Spicy Honey Sauce

Keto Leek, Zucchini and Cheese Soup

Keto Jalapeno Poppers