These air fryer salmon patties are perfect as an appetizer, entree, or burger for easy weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings!
Air fryer salmon patties are delicious, crispy, and fun for the whole family to make! This recipe works using fresh or canned salmon and can be served in a variety of ways!
Is canned salmon as good as fresh salmon?
This is a personal preference! Canned salmon is a more convenient and inexpensive option compared to fresh salmon. Both fresh and canned salmon provide an excellent source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals.
What are air fryer salmon cakes?
Air fryer salmon cakes and air fryer salmon patties are the same thing! Whether you call it a patty or cake, it is typically made with salmon, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), garlic, onions, and a variety of herbs and spices.
How do I keep my salmon patties from falling apart?
Eggs, Greek yogurt, and breadcrumbs work as binding agents in this recipe. I also found that making the patties smaller in size and uniform works best (I use 1/4 cup measuring tool). After forming the patties, place them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help mold the patties before air frying.
How to make salmon patties in air fryer
If using raw/fresh salmon, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Gather all of your ingredients and prepare your onions, bell peppers, lemon, and parsley.
Rinse your salmon with cold water and pat it dry. Place the salmon on a cooking pan lined with aluminum foil. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with ¼ tsp of salt and ½ tsp pepper. Add 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice (or ¼ of a lemon) if you’d like.
Cook the salmon in the oven for about 12 minutes. While the salmon is in the oven, whisk 1 egg in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, combine ½ cup breadcrumbs, egg, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, garlic, onions, bell peppers, cheddar cheese, parsley, and 1 tsp of lemon juice (Optional: red pepper flakes).
After 12 minutes, remove salmon from the oven. Using a fork, scrape the salmon away from the skin in the same pan. Exclude the skin. The exterior should look pink and white with a pink interior. The salmon should scrape off easily into small, shredded pieces. Combine the salmon with the Greek yogurt mixture and mix well. If you’re using canned salmon, you can mice that up and add it in here.
Place the remaining 1 ½ cup of breadcrumbs in a separate small bowl. Using ¼ cup measure, scoop the salmon mixture and place it into the breadcrumb pan. Be sure to wet your fingers to prevent the breadcrumbs from sticking them!
Push the patty down on each side to make sure the whole patty is covered in breadcrumbs. This will make the sure air fryer salmon patties come out nice and crispy! Reshape the salmon patties if needed.
Place the patties in a parchment lined container or plate. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the patties from the fridge. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the patties in the air fryer. Do not overcrowd! Make sure there is a little space between each patty. Spray with cooking oil halfway through cooking. The recipe makes 12, 2” salmon patties. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to make a few batches.
Remove the patties with a spatula, squeeze lemon on top of patties and garnish with fresh parsley or green onions.
How long to air fry salmon patties?
How long to air fry salmon patties will depend on the size of your patties and how many you cook at one time. Cook salmon patties at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. They will look crispy and golden brown when ready!
How to make air fryer salmon patties with canned salmon
Canned salmon is pre-cooked; therefore, we can omit the process of cooking the salmon in the oven in the original recipe. Just drain and rinse the canned salmon. Remove any skin and bones.
The cook time may be a little less compared to fresh salmon considering the canned salmon is already cooked! Cook salmon patties at 400 degrees until they reach 145 degrees F.
How to make air fryer salmon patties with leftover salmon?
Just omit the first step of the original recipe like we did when using canned salmon. Shred your leftover salmon into small pieces and combine with the other ingredients and cook according to the recipe.
How long will salmon patties last in the fridge?
Salmon patties should last about 2 days in the fridge. Store in an airtight container.
What do you eat with salmon patties?
There are endless ways you can eat these salmon patties! To serve as an appetizer, you can serve on a bed of lettuce with a dipping sauce.
Asparagus, brussel sprouts, potato fries, or your favorite salad are all great choices to pair with salmon patties for a complete meal.
What dipping sauces do you eat with salmon patties?
These air fryer salmon patties pair perfectly with aioli or tzatziki sauce! You may have tried my homemade tzatziki sauce in the Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice Bowls with Norwegian Salmon .
Aioli dipping sauce recipe for air fryer salmon patties
You can make aioli sauce in a variety of ways. Feel free to add your favorite seasoning! Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp Parsley
- 1 tbsp green onions
Can I use this recipe to make air fryer salmon burgers?
Yes, this recipe can quickly turn into salmon burgers! Grab your bun of choice, add lettuce, tomato, and your favorite toppings! Don’t forget to use one of my dipping sauce ideas!
What goes with air fryer salmon burgers?
Potato (or sweet potato) fries would be an excellent choice with salmon burgers! Use the dipping sauce as condiments.
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What can you cook in an air fryer?
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fresh salmon or 3 (5oz) cans of salmon packed in water
- 1 large egg beaten
- 2 cups finely ground panko breadcrumbs -divided use gluten free if needed
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 2 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp. Fresh parsley
- ¼ cup red and green bell peppers chopped
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes Optional
Instructions
If using fresh salmon start here…
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Rinse salmon with cold water and pat dry.
- Place salmon on a foil lined pan. Brush salmon with oil of choice and top with salt and pepper.
- Bake for ~ 12 minutes until the exterior is lightly cooked.
- Remove salmon from oven.
- Scrape away from the skin into small pieces. Combine with mixture. Mix well.
Start here if using canned salmon
- Combine ½ cup breadcrumbs, beaten egg, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, garlic, onions, bell peppers, cheddar cheese, parsley, and lemon juice in a large bowl, and mix until well combined.
- Using a fork, mince the cooked salmon or canned salmon and add it to your bowl.
- In a separate bowl, place remaining 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs in a bowl. Scoop ¼ cup of the salmon mixture and place into breadcrumb pan.
- Coat both sides of the patty with breadcrumbs and place on a plate. Repeat that process until you've used all of your mixture and have 10-12 patties.
- Place the patties in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking oil, then arrange the salmon patties in the basket. Spray patties with cooking oil.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes until golden brown.
- Using a spatula, remove the patties from air fryer.
- Garnish with parsley or green onions, and serve with the aioli sauce listed in the blog post above. Enjoy!
4 Responses
I grew up on salmon patties and when I saw this recipe I had to try it. It was full of flavor and it had an amazing crunchy crust. I will definitely be making this recipe again.
So glad you liked them!
I don’t have an air fryer. Can these be done in an oven or regular oven? What temperature and for how long?
Yes, bake them at the same temp and add an additional 5-7 minutes until they start to turn golden brown.