Golden and crispy, these Air Fryer Salmon Cake deliver great flavor! Made with canned salmon, they’re excellent thanks to cooking from your pantry.
Air Fryer Salmon Cake is made with fresh salmon, almond flour, and a few basic spices. They are gluten and dairy-free and do not require bread crumbs or crackers. Serve them with a side salad or on a burger for a full lunch or dinner!
I don’t have salmon these days, I usually do it again. They come together quickly, require less than 10 ingredients, and take only 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer. The results are a soft and tender salmon cake that’s golden brown and crispy. Look for canned or canned salmon with but 40 milligrams of sodium per serving, and do not be scared of those with bones. They are very easy to remove.
These air fryer salmon patties are golden, crispy, and delicious! I like that they’re made with canned salmon but made with fresh lemon zest and dill. I think you will love them!
Reasons you should build a salmon air fryer
- They are made with canned salmon but they taste so good
- They are golden and crispy but made with a little oil like pan-fried salmon
- You can prepare 24 hours in advance, making dinner easy
Table of Contents
Details of some ingredients
Fresh Salmon: Many salmon pie recipes use canned salmon. Although I’ve made those before and they’re pretty good, I prefer the taste and texture of the fresh salmon patties. Fresh salmon is more expensive than canned, but you don’t need much for this recipe. Only a small piece of meat fillet, combined with other ingredients, will form four large pieces of patties.
Almond flour: Salmon cakes often consist of bread crumbs or crackers combined with eggs to help bind them together. I wanted to keep these patties gluten-free and nut-free, so I opted for finely ground almond flour. It also adds some extra protein and helps keep these patties full.
Onions: This recipe includes half a chopped onion. It may seem like a lot for four patties, but it adds a lot of flavor and even some moisture to the patties.
Chives: I like the flavor and color that fresh chives increase these air fryer salmon cakes. If you can’t find fresh chives, I would be cautious not to use dried chives instead as they don’t have much flavor. Instead, choose another fresh herb like dill or add some scallions.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Step 1: Remove the skin on your salmon fillet, if it is not already removed, and cut the salmon into several pieces. Place all ingredients according to the instructions in a kitchen appliance.
Step 2: Cook on high until everything is well combined but there are still small pieces of salmon, onion, and chives left.
Step 3: Cleverly shape the mixture into 4 pieces about 2-3 inches in diameter and refrigerate for half an hour to an hour.
Step 4: Spray the non-stick solution into the air fryer basket. Arrange the patties in layers on the bottom of the basket and use cooking spray. Air fry at 400F for 9-11 minutes.
How to keep salmon patties from breaking? The texture of the fresh salmon alongside the egg and almond meal helps hold these patties together. Also, chilling the patties before frying in the air helps them firm up.
How does one store and reheat leftover salmon patties? While I think these patties are best enjoyed straight from the air fryer while they’re hot and crispy, if you have leftovers, they should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoyed within 3 hours-4 days. To reheat them, simply microwave them for 45-60 seconds or until just preheated. Be careful to not overheat as they’re going to dry out.
Can you freeze raw salmon patties before cooking? Exactly. Just wrap each raw patty in cling film, place it on a baking tray, and put it in the freezer. And, store them in a freezer-safe bag for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before frying.
What happens to salmon patties?
These patties are perfect to go with side salads like asparagus and peas salad or this orzo salad.
Not in the mood for pasta or a green salad? No problem. Eat these cakes with some coleslaw or healthy fries.
And, if you like a delicious spice coating, do this creamy jalapeño dip.
What goes with salmon patties?
These patties are perfect to serve with asparagus and pea salad or this vegetable orzo salad.
Not in the mood for pasta or green salad? No problem. You can serve these cakes up with some coleslaw or baby potatoes.
And, if you wish an honest condiment topping, try this creamy jalapeño dip.
Additional tips and accessories
I used garlic powder in this recipe, but you can use fresh garlic if you like. Just replace half a teaspoon of garlic powder with 3-4 cloves of garlic.
Make sure you grease the bottom of the air fryer’s basket with a cooking spray so the salmon patties don’t stick. I also like to spray cooking spray on the tops of the patties to help them get that golden brown color.
Don’t miss the cooling salmon cake. This helps solidify them and allows the flavors to blend.
Make sure not to fry the salmon pieces in the air for more than the recommended time as they will dry out.
NOTE
If you can’t find fresh chives, I don’t recommend using dried chives as they don’t have much flavor. Instead, try using green onions or even fresh dill.
Don’t skip the salmon marinade step. This helps solidify them and allows the flavors to blend.
This dish is best when it’s hot. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator within 2-3 days. They will not break when reheated.
Be sure to check out the FAQ and tips and substitutions section above the recipe for more detailed tips and recommendations for making this recipe.