Air Fryer Salmon Patties are a quick, protein-packed dish you can make on a busy weeknight or serve as a simple appetizer. They use canned salmon, red bell pepper, fresh parsley, and pantry seasonings to form tender patties with a crisp, golden exterior.
Serve them with a dipping sauce, in a sandwich, or as a light meal — these salmon cakes are beginner-friendly and always popular. If you enjoy easy seafood recipes, try air fryer honey mustard salmon next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader View
This recipe is 5 STARS!!! So moist and delicious!
Cooking time was PERFECT!
-Kari
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Savory, lightly crisp, with fresh herb and salmon notes. Golden outside, tender inside.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 20 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer, mixing bowl, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, fork for flaking salmon.
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Shape uncooked patties and freeze up to 3 months; air fry from frozen with a few extra minutes.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: For the crispiest results, shape patties evenly, spritz with oil, and avoid overcrowding the basket so hot air can circulate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with protein: These patties make a satisfying appetizer, snack, or main course.
- Quick and beginner-friendly: Canned salmon simplifies prep; cooked fresh salmon can be used instead.
- Crispy and satisfying: The air fryer creates a golden, crunchy exterior while keeping the interior moist.
- Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, sandwich filling, grain-bowl topping, or light main with roasted potatoes.
Table of Contents
- Quick Look At This Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Salmon Cake Variations
- How to Make Salmon Patties in the Air Fryer
- Recipe Tip
- Storing and Reheating
- Air Fryer Salmon Cakes Recipe FAQs
- More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- Canned salmon: Tender, flaky, and ready to use. Leftover cooked salmon works too — flake finely and add a teaspoon or two of mayo if it seems dry.
- Eggs: Bind the mixture and add richness.
- Mayonnaise: Keeps patties moist and helps with browning.
- Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness, color, and moisture.
- Breadcrumbs: Provide structure and help the patties crisp.
- Seasonings: Fresh parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt keep the flavor bright and balanced.
Salmon Cake Variations
- Tuna or Crab Patties: Swap canned salmon for well-drained tuna or lump crab meat for a similar texture.
- Veggie Boost: Add chopped green onions, chives, or finely diced crunchy vegetables instead of bell pepper.
- Spicy Kick: Stir in a tablespoon of hot sauce such as sriracha or chipotle for heat.
- Lighter Option: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter result.
- Egg-Free: Replace an egg with a tablespoon of mayo or Dijon mustard to bind the mixture.
- Extra Crunch: Use panko breadcrumbs or coat patties in extra panko before air frying.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Cajun Style: Add 1–2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning for a smoky, spicy flavor.
How to Make Salmon Patties in the Air Fryer
Gather ingredients and preheat your air fryer to 390°F while you mix. If your model has no preheat setting, run it for 3–5 minutes before cooking. Preheating helps patties set and crisp quickly.
- In a bowl, combine flaked salmon, eggs, mayo, bell pepper, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix until evenly combined.
- Use a 1/2-cup measuring cup to portion the mixture for even patties; shape each into a round about ½–1 inch thick.
- Lightly spray the basket with oil. Place patties in a single layer and very lightly spritz the tops with oil so they brown.
- Air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until lightly golden. Let rest a minute before lifting from the basket. Garnish with lemon wedges or parsley.
Serving tip: For a quick meal, serve patties on buns or slices of bread with tartar sauce, lemon-dill yogurt, or chipotle mayo.
Recipe Tip
- Remove bones and shred evenly: Pick out any bones from canned salmon and flake well. Shred fresh cooked salmon with two forks for a smooth texture.
- Shape evenly: Aim for consistent thickness (about ½–1 inch) so they cook evenly.
- Light oil spritz: A quick spray of olive or avocado oil helps develop a golden crust.
- Don’t overcrowd: Space patties so air circulates; overlapping causes steaming instead of crisping.
- Flip once: Turning halfway gives the best color and texture in basket-style air fryers.
- Adjust for your model: This recipe was tested in a 5.8-quart Cosori. Your air fryer may need slightly different timing.
Storing and Reheating
- Leftovers: Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat refrigerated patties in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until hot.
Air Fryer Salmon Cakes Recipe FAQs
Drain canned salmon well, flake it finely, and mix thoroughly with egg and breadcrumbs. If mixture is loose, add 1–2 teaspoons extra breadcrumbs or chill the shaped patties for 10–15 minutes before cooking.
Yes. For egg-free, use a tablespoon of mayonnaise or Dijon mustard per egg to help bind. For breadcrumb-free or gluten-free, use almond flour, crushed gluten-free crackers, or oat flour, and adjust moisture as needed.
Yes. Shape uncooked patties and refrigerate up to 24 hours. For freezing, firm them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag; cook from frozen with a few extra minutes.
You can, but cooked salmon is preferred because it flakes easily and mixes well with binders. If using raw salmon, chop finely and ensure patties reach 145°F internally when cooked.
More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes
Dinner
Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Dinner
Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
Dinner
Air Fryer Crab Legs
Dinner
Air Fryer Scallops
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Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 14.75 oz canned salmon, deboned
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
- In a medium bowl, combine flaked salmon, eggs, mayo, bell pepper, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix until combined.
- Use a ½‑cup measuring cup to portion the mixture.
- Shape into patties about ½–1 inch thick.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place patties in a single layer and very lightly spray the tops with oil.
- Air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until lightly golden and heated through.
Notes
- Pick out any bones from canned salmon and flake well. Shred fresh cooked salmon with two forks for best texture.
- Form patties about ½-inch thick for even cooking and a crisp exterior.
- Spritz tops with oil to help browning, and don’t overcrowd the basket.
- Flip once halfway for best color and texture. Adjust timing for your air fryer model.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.