Keto Air Fried Catfish Sticks w Fried Cheese Curds

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.