Quick and easy to make, these air fryer salmon patties are wonderfully flavorful and so simple to make. Serve as an appetizer or as part of a main for one delicious bite!
This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.
Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
I just know that you are going to adore this salmon cake recipe! It’s so full of flavor and my take on this classic recipe. I use canned salmon and my air fryer for this recipe, but you could totally use fresh and make it on the stove if you like.
These patties take minutes to make and are great to serve as an appetizer or as part of a quick and easy weeknight meal. Every bite is so flavorful, trust me, you are sure to impress with this dish!
Be sure to check out my Air Fryer Crab Cakes and Air Fryer Crispy Shrimp.
How to make air fryer salmon patties
- Gather your ingredients.
- In a bowl, combine drained canned salmon, ½ cup bread crumbs, egg, sweet onion, red bell pepper, garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and celery salt.
- Form mixture into 6 patties and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This will firm them up so they don’t break apart.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 Fahrenheit.
- Spread the remaining ½ cup of breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Remove the patties from the freezer and coat patties in the breadcrumbs.
- Place in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 11-13 minutes, flipping and spraying with oil halfway.
Serve and enjoy.
Can you make these without an air fryer?
These salmon patties are so effortless to cook in the air fryer, but you can pan fry them too. Simply fry the patties in an oiled pan over medium-high heat until browned, about 3-4 minutes each side.
You can also oven bake them, although they won’t be as crispy. Place them in a preheated oven at 400F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What’s the best salmon to use?
I like to use canned salmon for this recipe, it makes the dish super convenient and quick. If you have fresh salmon, you can of course use that, but be sure to cook it first, either on the stovetop or in the oven, before flaking and combining with the other ingredients.
What do you serve them with?
I love to serve these as an appetizer with some remoulade or tartar sauce and some lemon wedges. They work great as a light lunch or brunch too, served with a nice fresh salad.
Serve them as a main with some French fries, creamy mashed potatoes and steamed veggies.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Make them gluten-free by using GF breadcrumbs.
- Be sure to freeze the patties before breading them or they can fall apart.
- You can serve these without removing the bones if you prefer. You could also use three 5 oz cans of skinless, boneless, Wild Caught pink salmon.
- Leftovers will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge and can be reheated in the air fryer at 360F for 4 minutes.
More Salmon Recipes
- Easy Teriyaki Salmon
- Salmon Wellington
- Marinated Air Fryer Salmon
- Pressure Cooker Salmon with Creamy Sauce
Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Ingredients
- 14.5 oz can of Wild Caught Alaskan salmon , drained, bones and skin removed
- 1 cup of Italian bread crumbs separated
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ¼ cup diced sweet onion
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- Oil for spraying
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine salmon, ½ cup bread crumbs, egg, sweet onion, red bell pepper, garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and celery salt.
- Form mixture into 6 patties and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 Fahrenheit.
- Spread the remaining ½ cup of breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Remove the patties from the freezer and coat patties in the breadcrumbs.
- Place in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 11-13 minutes, flipping and spraying with oil halfway. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Make them gluten-free by using GF breadcrumbs.
- Be sure to freeze the patties before breading them or they can fall apart.
- You can serve these without removing the bones if you prefer. You could also use three 5 oz cans of skinless, boneless, Wild Caught pink salmon.
- Leftovers will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge and can be reheated in the air fryer at 360F for 4 minutes.
- To pan-fry, follow the directions but pan fry the patties in an oiled pan over medium-high heat until browned, about 3-4 minutes each side.
Shelley n
Thursday 24th of August 2023
I'll try these tonight, they sound great. I have one question unrelated to the recipe- why, whyyy do they pack the salmon with the backbone?? who out there wants to eat the bones?
Tanya
Monday 28th of August 2023
lol, I feel you on that. I hear the bones are very nutritious though.
Dr Rock
Monday 27th of March 2023
Could these be frozen after breading in crumbs and air fried straight from the freezer?
Maddy
Wednesday 21st of September 2022
Could this be made with canned tuna?
Tanya
Friday 23rd of September 2022
I haven't tried it with canned tuna but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Please let me know if you give it a try.
Julie
Monday 11th of October 2021
These were delicious but 20 minutes in the freezer was insufficent time. They still fell apart. Next time, I'll try freezing the patties for 45 minutes. I have an intolerance to garlic and onions (FODMAPS) so I substituted green onion tops for the sweet onion & 1/2 teaspoon Gourmend Foods FODMAP safe garlic chive powder for the garlic.
Constance Breslin
Thursday 16th of September 2021
Thanks u have changed my life! Need more filet fish recipes ( I love the chicken ones ) rarely eat meat just flank steak if u have some too!!