If you haven’t tried these Air fryer Salmon cakes you are missing out. These salmon patties made in the air fryer are so delicious with the crispy fried edges. The lemon and mayo tangy flavor is a perfect combination with the shredded Salmon. You can serve these croquettes as an appetizer or side dish with a fresh summer salad.
Salmon Cake vs Salmon Patties vs Salmon Croquettes
Whether you call them salmon patties , salmon croquettes, or salmon cakes -the facts are simple , they are simply delicious. I went with the Salmon cakes name because my recipe has similar ingredients that you would find in a crab cake. This salmon cake can be served with grits and eggs for a southern breakfast or with a meal prep next to a veggie and starch.
Salmon Cakes, Salmon Patties, or croquettes? whatever you call them, are a staple in the south. Traditional southern salmon cakes often include bread crumbs or flour as a binding agent. Finely chopped peppers, onions, and other vegetables are a great addition that intensifies the flavor, and texture and makes them look extremely appetizing. Seasoning is according to your taste and what goes well with salmon. I have been making these Salmon cakes for years now, I am just trying them with different cooking methods now. This recipe was inspired by my Skillet Salmon cakes and thinking of Instant pot next.
This recipe for air fryer salmon cakes – takes this old school recipe to another level . The air fryer allows you to enjoy it without the mess of frying them in vegetable oil. Also, the air fryer cooks them in about 8 minutes.
What goes into these Air Fried Salmon Cakes
- 14-16 ounces salmon If using canned salmon make sure you drain it and remove the bones
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp red bell pepper finely diced
- 2 tbsp green onion finely chopped
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise I always use Hellman’s brand
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Louisiana hot sauce Crystal hot sauce is my fave to use
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning I used Old Bay
- 1 tsp fresh parsley
How to make Southern Salmon patties in the Air fryer
- Pour salmon into a small bowl and make sure bones are removed
- Add the breadcrumbs, red pepper, green onion, mustard, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, hot sauce, lemon juice, egg, old bay, and parsley
- Stir to Combine ingredients and form them into small patties
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees for 5 minutes
- Spray inside of air fryer with non-stick spray
- Add salmon patties to the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes or until golden brown at 390 degrees ( I used a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, please remember all cook times may vary a bit when using different air fryer brands )
- Remove from the air fryer, serve and enjoy!
Make Gluten free and keto friendly Air fryer Salmon Cakes
- For the bidding agent, we will swap the breadcrumbs with Almond flour and egg. These will keep your salmon patties intact.
- Use sauces that are gluten-free and keto friendly.
- Lovely thing is that the veggies stay the same for flavor and texture. And there you have it, Gluten free salmon patties.
- Another delicious variation on salmon cakes is to mix in some diced jalapenos for a spicy kick. Serve with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess. Yum!
Glam kitchen Tips
- If you want to use real salmon versus can salmon, feel free to-make sure it’s cooked and not seasoned
- I shape my patties into smaller sizes to mimic an actual small crab cake
- Please finely chop your vegetables as you don’t want big chunks of peppers and onions which might make your salmon cakes fall apart.
- For easy shredding of the fresh wild Salmon, bake it in the air fryer for 5 to 7 minutes, it will then be easy to shred it using your hands.
- When using the air fryer, make sure not to put the fan opening against the wall or anything as this limits the amount of air circulation.
- You can use canned salmon, be sure to drain out the water before adding it to other ingredients.
FAQ
Absolutely! Simply brush both sides of the cakes with a little olive oil and cook in a preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn. Alternatively, you can also try cooking them on the grill for a smoky flavor.
Yes, they can! Salmon cakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. You simply put them in a ziplock bag or airtight container and then into the freezer. Reheating, Air fryer has the added advantage of bringing frozen food into lively crispy, and non soggy food when reheated using it. No need to thaw.
Flipping the salmon cakes is to ensure that they cook evenly on both sides. You can do that halfway through the cooking time but if you are certain that the bottom part gets enough hot air circulation then there is no need to flip.
More Air fryer recipes to try
Air Fryer Salmon Steaks Recipe
Air Fryer Southern Salmon Cakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 14-16 ounces salmon If using canned salmon make sure you drain it and remove the bones
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp red bell pepper finely diced
- 2 tbsp green onion finely chopped
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise I always use the Hellman's brand
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Louisiana hot sauce Crystal hot sauce is my fave to use
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning I used Old Bay
- 1 tsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Pour salmon into small bowl and make sure bones are removed
- Add the breadcrumbs, red pepper, green onion, mustard, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, hot sauce, lemon juice, egg, old bay, and parsley
- Stir to Combine ingredients and form them into small patties
- Preheat air fryer at 390 degrees for 5 minutes
- Spray inside of air fryer with non stick spray
- Add salmon patties to air fryer and cook for 8 minutes or until golden brown on 390 degrees ( I used a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer , please remember all cook times may vary a bit when using different air fryer brands )
- Remove from air fryer , serve and enjoy !