Making salmon patties (or cakes) in the air fryer is an easy way to use fresh salmon or canned salmon for a dinner the whole family will love!
Made with ingredients, such as bread crumbs, green onion, lemon juice, and a few other common items you may have on hand, they’re made and ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This
- This recipe is easy, uses common ingredients, and is ready for dinner in under 30 minutes!
- You can use canned for fresh salmon. (Can also substitute other fish such as tuna or trout.)
- The salmon cakes look fancy (think “crab cakes”) but are easy and kid-friendly!
- There is an optional spicy mayo dipping sauce recipe attached
This recipe uses bread crumbs and eggs to help hold the patties together, so it’s important that those are used.
When using cooked salmon (which this recipe calls for) as long as the ingredients, such as the egg, have cooked through, and the outside is crispy… it should be done. However, if you need to cook your salmon prior to making these salmon patties, it’s always good to remember that the internal temperature of salmon should be 160°.
Substituting the bread crumbs for crushed pork rinds and the flour with almond flour can create an air-fryer salmon cakes recipe that’s lower in carbs.
What goes good with salmon patties
Without a doubt, this side salad recipe is perfect to serve alongside these salmon patties!
However here are some of our other favorite side dishes for salmon cakes too:
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- Carrot Salad
- Amish Potato Salad
- Bean Salad
- Cornbread Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Baked Fiesta Ranch Potato Wedges
Salmon Patty Ingredients
What you’ll need to make salmon cakes:
- cooked fresh salmon or can of salmon
- mayo
- lemon juice
- garlic
- green onions
- fresh parsley
- chili flakes, optional
- black pepper
- salt
- all-purpose flour
- eggs
- panko bread crumbs
How to Make This
First, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Salmon patty ingredients Mix together ingredients Add spices Stir in spices with salmon mixture 
Patty out salmon cakes for breading Salmon patties ready for breading Coat salmon cake in flour 
Dip salmon patty in egg Coat salmon patty in bread crumbs
In a large mixing bowl, combine salmon, mayo, lemon juice, garlic, green onions, parsley, chili flakes. Mix well.
Shaped the salmon mixture into 8 equal patties, about 2.5 inches in diameter and put on the line baking sheet
In a small bowl, combine flour, black pepper and salt.
Add the beaten eggs to a small bowl and panko breadcrumbs to a medium shallow bowl.
Working gently, dredge each salmon patty in flour mixture, shake off the excess flour, dip in beaten egg to coat each side, and finally completely coat in breadcrumbs.
Preheat air fryer to 400°F and spray basket with cooking spray.
Transfer the salmon patties into the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Flip after 7 minutes.
Serve warm with spicy mayo sauce or something like jalapeno ranch dressing or this chipotle sauce, if desired!
How to Make Spicy Mayo Sauce
Ingredients for Sauce:
- mayo
- lemon juice
- chopped chives
- black pepper
- salt
Directions for Spicy Mayo Sauce:
Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Tips for Making This
- Make even sized patties so that they cook evenly at the same time
- Can use canned salmon instead of fresh salmon if preferred
- Swap salmon for other fish like tuna or trout
- Can swap herbs such as used chopped dill instead of parsley
- Leave out the chili flakes if want them less spicy
- Can cook the salmon with the skin on. The skin comes of easily when cooked
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon patties and the brand of air fryer.
- If your air fryer is smaller, you will have to cook salmon patties in batches. Do not overcrowd the air fryer.
- Keeps in the fridge for 3 days in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
- To reheat leftovers, heat them in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for 2 mins.
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb. cooked salmon fresh or canned, minced with fork
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 green onions sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp chili flakes optional
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
Spicy Mayo Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- salt as desired
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine salmon, mayo, lemon juice, garlic, green onions, parsley, chili flakes. Mix well.
- Shaped the salmon mixture into 8 equal patties, about 2.5 inches in diameter and put on the line baking sheet
- In a small bowl, combine flour, black pepper and salt.
- Add the beaten eggs to a small bowl and panko breadcrumbs to a medium shallow bowl.
- Working gently, dredge each salmon patty in flour mixture, shake off the excess flour, dip in beaten egg to coat each side and finally completely coat in breadcrumbs.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F and spray basket with cooking spray
- Transfer the salmon patties into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Flip after 7 minutes
- Serve warm with spicy mayo sauce if desired!
How to Make Spicy Mayo Sauce
- Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Melissa says
Delicious – theses are so good! my family really enjoyed your recipe!
Jessica says
Wonderful! That’s so great to hear, thank you!
Laura Reese says
My family loves salmon! Making it my air fryer was a delicious and new way for them to enjoy it! we loved it!
Jessica says
Woo Hoo!! I love cooking them in the air fryer and glad you do too! Thank you!
Jennifer says
These salmon patties are sooo yummy! My husband LOVED them!
Jessica says
Wonderful!! That’s so great to hear, thank you!
Gina says
Made this for lunch today yumm.
Jessica says
I’m so glad to hear that you liked these salmon patties! Using the air fryer makes it so easy too! Thank you!