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Can you cook salmon patties in air fryer? Absolutely! This old fashioned salmon patties air fryer recipe is easy and inexpensive to make. You’ll love dipping these air fryer Old Bay salmon cakes in homemade tartar sauce or serving them as sliders. At under 1 gram net carb per fish cake, these patties are perfect for low carb and keto diets, and they’re gluten-free and high protein as well.
This salmon croquettes recipe is fast, delicious, and perfect for meal prep! Air fried salmon patties are one of my favorite ways to use canned fish. I hope they’ll become a regular thing for you too!
⭐ Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Air Fryer Ingredients
What are the ingredients in salmon cakes? Here is what you need to make this recipe:
- 14.75 ounce can salmon tinned with the bones (drain it; 418 grams)
- ¼ cup fresh dill (chopped)
- ¼ cup almond flour (finely ground)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 sliced scallions
- Cooking oil spray
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Note: The flower props used in the photos are NOT edible.
If you’d prefer air fryer salmon patties with flour, you can experiment with substituting the almond flour for regular all-purpose flour. Breadcrumbs are an even better alternative.
Canned salmon has already been cooked, so you don’t have to worry about reaching a safe minimum internal temperature.
You can air fry salmon patties in the Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, Philips, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Cosori, Nuwave, Power Air Fryer, etc. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on the air fryer you use. Always keep a close eye on the food the first time you try a new air fryer recipe.
If you have a small air fryer basket, you may need to cook the salmon cakes in multiple batches.
🐟 How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Here are the step-by-step instructions to make air fryer salmon cakes (no mayo). The prep only takes a few minutes.
- Drain the canned salmon and mash it in a medium-sized bowl with a fork. Make sure to mash it well so you don’t see the bones. Stir in the dill, almond flour, eggs, almond flour, Old Bay, lemon zest, and scallions.
- Mist the air fryer basket or tray with cooking oil spray. With clean hands, shape the salmon mixture into 8 small patties.
Chef’s Tips: Try and make the patties the same shape and size for more even cooking. My patties were about 2½-inches in diameter (6.35cm) and ½-inch thick (1.27cm).
I was able to fit all of the patties in a single layer on one air fryer tray. Don’t overcrowd them. They’ll cook better and more evenly when air flow can reach the patties on all sides.
- Brush half of the olive oil on the tops of the croquettes. They’re ready to air fry!
⏲ Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Air Fryer Time and Temperature
How long does it take to cook salmon patties in an air fryer? Air fry salmon patties for a total of 10-13 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C).
Put the salmon patties in the top rack position of the air fryer oven. Air fry for 5 minutes at 400F. Remove them from the air fryer, flip them over, and brush them with the remaining olive oil.
Return the tray with the salmon cakes back to the top rack position of the air fryer. Air fry for 5-8 minutes at 400F. When they are finished cooking, they should hold together well, but be juicy inside.
If you air fry them longer, they’ll be crispier and firmer. Be careful not to let them dry out!
I let the patties rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve the cooked salmon patties with your favorite salmon cake sauce, and enjoy!
💡 How do you keep salmon patties from falling apart?
Not using enough binders causes salmon patties to fall apart. Eggs, crushed pork rinds, bread crumbs, panko, almond flour, mashed potatoes, and cornmeal are some binding ingredients. Also, smaller salmon patties tend to stick together better than larger patties.
🌡️ Air Fryer Salmon Patties Using Canned Salmon (Storage)
Keep leftover salmon patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can also be wrapped individually in plastic wrap, put in freezer bag, and frozen.
You can enjoy leftover salmon cakes cold. If you want to warm the leftovers up, they can be reheated in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave. You can also reheat them for 3-5 minutes in an air fryer set to 375F (190C).
➕ How to Serve Salmon Patties
There are a number of condiments that work well as a salmon patty sauce. Here are some ideas:
- Tzatziki
- Remoulade sauce
- Dill sauce
- Tartar sauce
- Fresh lemon juice
- Cocktail sauce
- Dijon mustard
What sides go with salmon croquettes? I usually serve them with large garden side salads. Here are some other ideas for what to serve with salmon cakes:
- Kale Apple Slaw
- Brown Rice (or Cauliflower Rice for keto)
- Quinoa
- Roasted or Steamed Vegetables (try Microwaved Vegetables)
- Air Fryer Jicama Fries
- Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
👩🏻🍳 More Canned Fish Recipes
Are you looking for more recipes using canned fish? You may enjoy these:
- Canned Salmon Salad No Mayo
- Sardine Salad Sandwich Wraps
- Sardine Cakes (Air Fryer)
- Baked Canned Sardines
Also, don’t miss the low carb recipes and air fryer recipes while you’re here!
Watch How to Make It!
Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Air Fryer (Old Bay Salmon Cakes)
Ingredients
- 14.75 ounces canned salmon, drained 418 grams (choose the kind with bones for extra calcium)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 scallions, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup almond flour (or breadcrumbs)
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- cooking oil spray of choice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mash the salmon with a fork. Stir in the lemon zest, scallions, dill, eggs, almond flour, and Old Bay. Mist the air fryer basket with the cooking oil spray.
- Shape your salmon mixture into 8 small patties and place in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket. My patties were about 2½-inches (6.35 cm) in diameter and ½-inch (1.27 cm) thick.
- Using your pastry brush, brush the tops of your salmon cakes with ½ tablespoon of the olive oil.
- Place the tray on the top rack of your air fryer. Air fry the salmon patties for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Then gently flip the croquettes, brush with the final ½ tablespoon of the olive oil, and air fry for an additional 5-8 minutes at 400°F (200°C). (Exact air frying time depends on how firm you want them.) Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment
Notes
Salmon Patties Sauce
I make lemon-dill tartar sauce to go with my air fryer salmon patties. Here are the ingredients to make it:- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles
- ½ tablespoon fresh chopped dill weed
- 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Have you ever considered cooking salmon burger in an air fryer? If not, I hope this recipe inspires you to give it a go! There are actually lots of types of seafood that you can use to make air fried fish cakes. These old fashioned air fryer salmon cakes can fit with weight watchers and offer benefits you don’t get from white fish. White fishes (e.g., cod and tilapia) are milder than salmon and count towards your seafood intake. They are lower in calories than oily fishes (e.g., salmon) and are some of the leanest proteins around. However, white fish contains very little of the beneficial fatty acids DHA and EPA, fats that fish like salmon are rich in. To boost your intake of the omega-3 fats that are great for brain health, higher fat fish is king. Unfortunately, fatty fish tends to have stronger flavors than white fish. That’s where these air fryer salmon croquettes come in. With this salmon cakes air fryer recipe, the flavors of fresh dill and lemon dominate. I think this might be a good recipe for kids who generally dislike fish but eat things like chicken patties. Serving salmon as a salmon burger just makes it seem a tad more appealing, no? So, try popping some mini salmon burgers in the air fryer tonight. It’s a great way to get the whole family eating healthy! Plus, canned salmon with the bones provides a rich source of whole food dairy-free calcium for those on diets with no dairy. Nutrition information is for one serving (one salmon patty). Carbohydrates listed are net carbs (total carbs minus the fiber).
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
FAQs
Do you have to flip salmon in air fryer?
Yes, you may need to flip air fried salmon (when cooked from raw) if it doesn’t reach the minimum safe temp of 145F (63C) using a meat thermometer. Most air fryers only have a top heating element, and flipping the salmon helps to ensure more uniform cooking.
How do you cook salmon in an air fryer without it sticking?
To keep salmon from sticking in the air fryer, mist the air fryer tray or basket with cooking spray before cooking.
How to make salmon patties without egg?
Eggs help your salmon cakes stick together. Use other binding ingredients if you want salmon patties with no eggs. Flour (including gluten free flour), pork panko, and corn meal are some examples of binders. Add more of these if your salmon patties aren’t sticking together.
Can you deep fry salmon patties?
Yes, you can deep fry salmon cakes to get crispy outer edges. However, this adds a lot of added oil to your entrée, increasing the fat and calories. Air frying is a way to enjoy your favorite deep-fried foods with less oil.
Are salmon patties bad for you?
Salmon patties are often made of heart-healthy fish and veggies, and can be a healthful addition to the diet. Air fried salmon patties are (in general) a better choice than salmon cakes that are heavily breaded and deep fried.
How to cook frozen salmon burgers in air fryer?
Air fry frozen salmon burgers from the store at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. Add additional cooking time if they have not reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you make fresh salmon patties in air fryer?
You can make salmon cakes with fresh salmon, but you’ll have to make extra effort to chop the salmon. Also, it will be far more expensive than this recipe for air fryer canned salmon patties. Why not fully enjoy your fresh salmon in this air fryer frozen salmon recipe instead?
How to season salmon patties?
Personally, I like air fryer Old Bay salmon cakes. Here are some other spices and seasonings that you can use with salmon for a change of flavor:
- Italian seasoning
- Fennel
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
- Basil
- Lemon pepper
- Cajun seasoning
- Jerk seasoning
- Garlic
- Chives
Don’t let this list limit you. You can season up your salmon and seafood dishes with whatever herbs and spices sound good to you.
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Wonderful, Summer! I love crab cakes, of course, but now I seek variations on the original theme.
Not only do you provide one, and a great one at that, but you do it up in a manner that avoids most of the oily add-ons fish cakes tend to bring with them. Nice job!
Thank you! These will definitely be making a semi-regular reappearance in our household. I was thinking the recipe would probably work well with other canned fish as well!