Air Fryer Salmon Patties

These air fryer salmon patties are a healthy alternative to regular beef burgers!

Some call them salmon patties, to others, they’re croquettes. I, however, like to call them burgers from the sea.

These patties get a 10/10 both in texture and flavor. Oh, and they get extra points for being super nutritious, too. 

Want a wonderful and wholesome lunch or dinner? Take out the air fryer and make these scrumptious salmon patties!

Air Fryer Salmon Patties 

Salmon patties are golden and crispy on the outside, soft and flaky on the inside, and delicious in every bite. 

They’re nutritious, to boot! Salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Frying it in oil adds so many calories, though.

The solution? Use the air fryer. You’ll still get that crunchy outer crust, but without all that oil. It’s a win-win!

How Do You Cook Salmon Patties in an Air Fryer?

Salmon patties are terrific, but they’re not as great without the sauce.

You’ll want to prepare the aioli dipping sauce first to give it time to chill in the fridge.

Cold dip tastes better with hot patties because it creates a nice temperature contrast.

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and Cajun seasoning.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the patties are ready to serve. 

Now that your dip is chilling, time to make the patties.

In a large bowl, stir together the minced salmon, chives, parsley, garlic, and salt. 

This recipe calls for fresh minced salmon, but you can also use canned or previously cooked salmon instead.

Use two forks to break the salmon into flakes. 

Mix in a tablespoon of flour to bind the ingredients. Add more if needed.

Divide the mixture into four and shape them into patties.

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the lemon into four wedges, and place them at the bottom of the air fryer basket.

Place the patties on top of the lemon wedges. Aside from the flavor, this will prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the basket.

Spray the tops with oil – this gives the patties extra crunch. Stick to olive, avocado, or canola oil spray because they have a high smoke point. 

Pro-tip: do not use an aerosol oil spray, as it contains harmful chemicals that will damage your air fryer over time.

Attach the basket into the air fryer and reduce the heat to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook the patties for 10 to 15 minutes. Flip them over halfway through to ensure even cooking. 

Spray the tops with oil. This will ensure that both sides are nice and crispy.

To test for doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the center of a patty.

It should read at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be golden brown and crisp at this point.

Transfer the patties onto a serving plate and serve with the aioli dipping sauce.

How Do I Keep My Salmon Patties From Falling Apart?

It all starts with the patty mixture. If you don’t add enough binder to the fish, the patties will fall apart as they cook in the air fryer.

That said, you’ll want to stir in at least a tablespoon of all-purpose flour into the mixture.

If it’s not enough to bind the ingredients, add more.

You can use bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers in place of the flour for a crunchier outer crust.

You can also throw in an egg to the mixture for good measure. Eggs are a great agent for binding ingredients together. 

Tip: use a room temperature egg. It’s easier to bind ingredients of the same temperature.

If you have time, chill the patties in the fridge for 20 minutes or in the freezer for 10.

This will firm up the patties and significantly reduce their chances of falling apart.

Be careful when flipping the patties halfway through cooking.

Wait until you’ve cooked them for at least 7 minutes before you flip.

At 7 minutes, they’ll have formed a nice crust at the bottom, making it easy to flip. Any sooner, and the patties will break. 

If you have time, chill the patties in the fridge for 20 minutes or in the freezer for 10.

This will firm up the patties and significantly reduce their chances of falling apart.

Tips for the Best Patties 

• The recipe card below instructs you to make four patties from the mixture, but you can form smaller ones, too, if you’d like. No matter how big or small they are, the important thing is that they’re uniform in size and thickness so they cook evenly. 
• Using a weighing scale to make an accurate measurement. If you don’t have one, your next best option is a measuring cup.
• Do not overcrowd the basket. Air fryers work by creating and circulating hot air in the basket, cooking the food evenly. If there’s not enough space inside, it won’t be able to do its job.
• Arrange the patties in a single layer for maximum crispiness.
• Placing a slice of lemon underneath the patties will prevent them from sticking to the basket. If you don’t like this technique, brush both the bottom of the basket and the patties with oil.
• You can use fresh, frozen, and canned salmon to make salmon patties. If using frozen, be sure to thaw it first. If using canned, note that there’s no need to remove the skins and bones.
• If you’re sticking to fresh salmon, it’s safest to use a thermometer to test for doneness. Cooked salmon has an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Aside from all-purpose flour, you can also use almond flour, breadcrumbs, or crushed cornflakes, potato chips, pretzels, and crackers. You can even use different flavors!
• Preheating the air fryer yields crispy salmon patties. If your air fryer doesn’t have this feature, let it run for 5 minutes before adding the patties.
• Avoid scratching the basket by using a rubber spatula or a silicone lifter to flip over the patties.
• Add-in suggestions:
  • Corn kernels
  • Finely chopped red pepper
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Dijon mustard
  • Mayonnaise
• Make the salmon patties ahead of time. Stack the uncooked patties with a piece of parchment paper in between and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Add an extra minute to the cooking time.
• You can also freeze the patties for a longer shelf-life. Arrange them in a single layer in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flash freeze them for 2 hours or until frozen solid. Transfer them into a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them completely before cooking.

What Do You Eat With Salmon Patties?

When choosing food pairings, it’s important to consider flavor, texture, and substance.

You’ll want dishes that complement well with one another, not ones that clash or overwhelm you with too much of the same taste. 

For an enjoyable meal, serve salmon patties with any of the following:

• Coleslaw. This is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear of salmon patties. Its vibrant colors, refreshing flavor, and creamy consistency work really well with the crispy and flaky patties. Also, the coolness of the salad against the hot patties leaves a lovely sensation on the palate.
• Rice. As tasty as salmon patties are, they’re barely filling. When I’m feeling extra hungry, I like to eat it with a bowl of hot, steaming rice. Combined, they make a hearty, satisfying meal.
• Sweet Potato Fries. I love all things sweet and salty, which is why I like to pair my salmon patties with sweet potato fries. The contrasting flavors make my taste buds happy, and the starchy sweet potatoes fill my belly. It’s a match made in heaven.
• Bread. Think of it this pairing as a seafood burger. Using salmon patties as a sandwich filling gives me joy. It doesn’t matter the type of bread, either. Buns, rolls, brioche – they all work.
• Roasted Carrots. Roasting carrots releases the vegetable’s natural sugars and creates a delicious caramel coating. The sweetness and crunchiness of the dish go really well with the soft, flaky, and savory patties. This food pairing is satisfying, but not too filling – perfect if you want a light meal.
• Air Fryer Asparagus. Salmon and asparagus is another classic, not to mention nutritious, pairing. From the color to the texture, these two truly complement one another. The best part is that you can cook them both at the same time, in the same air fryer.