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Air fryer salmon patties are made with fresh salmon, seasoned bread crumbs and fresh herbs, then air fried until golden and crispy. Top them with cool and creamy tzatziki sauce for a refreshing appetizer or meal. Fresh salmon patties are easy to make and can be prepped up to 48 hours in advance and cooked to order, so they are perfect for entertaining.
Salmon croquettes air fryer will be cooked to a golden crisp on the outside but warm, light and pillowy on the inside. The light and sweet salmon flavor combine with the texture of the crust to create a satisfying meal that will delight your taste buds.
If you love using your air fryer, try these Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp and Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Salmon Patties Recipe
- Easily made ahead. Prep these fresh salmon patties up to 48 hours in advance and cook when you are ready to eat.
- They are so crispy. Air fryer salmon patties are cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer with less oil than traditional pan frying.
- It’s got big flavor. Fresh salmon is perfectly seasoned, and the addition of Tzatziki sauce is cool and refreshing.
Salmon Patties Ingredients
- Fresh Salmon: remove the skin and bones from cooked salmon and shred with a fork or finely chop.
- Egg: lightly beaten.
- Bread Crumbs: seasoned bread crumbs have a nice flavor, but you can use plain bread crumbs or panko.
- Mayonnaise: the mayonnaise adds moisture and flavor to the fresh salmon patties. You can try flavored mayos such as avocado mayo or garlic mayo.
- Lemon Juice: fresh lemon juice is always preferred. If you want to bump up the lemon flavor, add a bit of lemon zest.
- Fresh Herbs: chopped dill and chopped fresh parsley add a bright, fresh flavor that compliments the fresh salmon patties beautifully.
- Seasonings: a standard mixture of ground black pepper and salt seasons the salmon croquettes air fryer recipe.
- Lemon wedges: to garnish.
- Tzatziki: to serve with the salmon patties.
How To Make Salmon Patties in the Air Fryer
- Prepare the salmon patties with bread crumbs. Combine the salmon, egg, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, dill, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl.
- Form the patties. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and firmly pack the mixture between the palms and make thick patties.
- Cook the salmon croquettes. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and arrange the patties into the basket and cook for 8 – 10 minutes by flipping the patties halfway through.
- Garnish and serve. Once done, garnish the salmon patties with fresh dill and lemon wedges and serve with a dip.
Tips To Make these Healthy Salmon Patties
- Use a measuring cup or an ice cream/cookie scoop to form even-sized salmon patties.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Leave room between each salmon cake so the air can circulate.
- Cook air fryer salmon croquettes in batches if necessary.
- For the crispiest salmon cakes, spray the fresh salmon patties with oil at the start of cooking and again about 2 minutes before the end of cooking.
- Leave out the breadcrumbs for a gluten free and low carb option.
- Spice it up a bit by adding a bit of crushed red pepper, chipotle or sriracha.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is perfect for advanced meal prep and great for using up leftover salmon from another meal. Mix and form the salmon patties with breadcrumbs and place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours before air frying. If cooking directly from the fridge, you may need to add a minute or 2 to the cooking time. Otherwise, bring the salmon patties to room temperature for 30 minutes and cook as directed.
Fresh salmon is easy to make at home, and you can easily use leftover salmon. Canned salmon is an excellent alternative if you don’t have fresh salmon. If using canned salmon, you will need about three 4.4 oz. cans. The final result will not be the same though.
Cook the salmon patties for 4-5 minutes on each side for a total of 8-10 minutes. If the salmon patties were made in advance and are cold, you may need to add 1-2 minutes to the total cooking time.
Leftover salmon patties can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Spray lightly with oil and reheat in a 350 degrees F air fryer for about 5 minutes.
Form the patties and place them on a lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag. If stacking the patties, place wax paper between them. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and cook as directed.
To cook from frozen, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the frozen patties in the air fryer and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
On their own salmon patties make a tasty appetizer or snack. To make them more of a meal, serve them with Mozzarella Caprese Salad Recipe, Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad, Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, or roasted vegetables like Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
More Salmon Recipes
- Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon
- Greek Salmon
- Best Air Fryer Salmon
- Baked Teriyaki Salmon
- Spicy Salmon Burrito Bowl
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Air Fryer Salmon Patties recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh salmon, skin & bones removed and finely chopped
- 1 whole egg
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Lemon wedges, to garnish
- Tzatziki, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ingredients together; salmon, egg, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, dill, paprika, black pepper and salt.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and firmly pack the mixture between the palms and make thick patties.
- Meanwhile, preheat the airfryer to 390 degrees F for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and arrange the patties into the basket and cook for 8 – 10 minutes by flipping the patties halfway through.
- Once done, garnish the salmon patties with fresh dill and lemon wedges and serve with a dip.
Notes
- Use a measuring cup or an ice cream/cookie scoop to form even-sized salmon patties.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Leave room between each salmon cake so the air can circulate.
- Cook air fryer salmon croquettes in batches if necessary.
- For the crispiest salmon cakes, spray the fresh salmon patties with oil at the start of cooking and again about 2 minutes before the end of cooking.
- Leave out the breadcrumbs for a gluten free and low carb option.
- Spice it up a bit by adding a bit of crushed red pepper, chipotle or sriracha.
