Air-Fryer Salmon Cakes

4.5

(4)

4 Reviews

These air-fried salmon patties are reminiscent of classic salmon croquettes; crispy on the outside and pillowy tender on the inside. Look for canned or jarred salmon that has less than 50 milligrams of sodium per serving, and don't be afraid of varieties that have bones. They're easy to remove.

Adam Hickman

Updated on July 23, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Active Time:

10 mins

Additional Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 cakes

Nutrition Profile:

High-Calcium Bone-Health Nut-Free Healthy Pregnancy Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Soy-Free High-Protein

Jump to Nutrition Facts

How to Make Air-Fryer Salmon Cakes

These crispy air fryer salmon cakes use canned salmon, a convenient pantry staple that makes pulling them together quick and easy. The air fryer gives the outside of the salmon patties a crispy exterior using much less oil than stovetop versions. Here's how to make them:

Get Out the Cooking Spray

Cooking spray is a great tool to have on hand when you're using your air fryer. It distributes a thin, even coating of oil to prevent sticking and gives your dinner the texture of fried food without an excess of fat and calories. Start by spraying the cooking basket to prevent the salmon cakes from sticking. You'll use your cooking spray again to spray your salmon cakes once they're in the basket.

Ingredients for the air-fryer salmon cakes recipe shaped into four patties, placed in an air-fryer basked — Christine Ma

Mix the Ingredients

This easy recipe combines canned salmon with egg, panko breadcrumbs, fresh dill, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and pepper. Before you mix everything together, comb through the canned salmon and pick out and discard any large bones. The bones and skin in canned salmon are edible, with the bones providing some additional calcium, so you don't have to remove smaller pieces. Once the salmon is ready, gently mix everything together and form four 3-inch patties.

Cook the Salmon Cakes

Once the salmon cakes are formed, they're ready to hit the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook the patties in batches. Overcrowding the basket will block the hot air from flowing around the patties and will result in less crispy results. If you're cooking in batches, simply transfer your first batch to a baking sheet and keep warm in a 200°F oven while the second batch cooks. Cook the patties in a 400°F air fryer until they're browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 160°F, about 12 minutes.

Four cooked air-fryer salmon cakes in an air-fryer basked, with a thermometer poked into one — Christine Ma

What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon Cakes

These salmon patties are great on their own with just a squeeze of lemon juice over top. Or you can top a salad with one or enjoy them in pita bread or on a hamburger bun. A creamy spread flavored with capers, dill, parsley or cucumber would be a nice addition too.

Additional reporting by Hilary Meyer

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Ingredients

Cooking spray
2 7.5-ounce cans unsalted pink salmon (with skin and bones)
1 large egg
½ cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
2 lemon wedges

Directions

Coat the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray.
Drain salmon; remove and discard any large bones and skin. Place the salmon in a medium bowl. Add egg, panko, dill, mayonnaise, mustard and pepper; stir gently until combined. Shape the mixture into 4 3-inch-diameter cakes.

Christine Ma
Coat the cakes with cooking spray; place them in the prepared basket. Cook at 400°F until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 160°F, about 12 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, January 2019; updated October 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

517	Calories
27g	Fat
15g	Carbs
52g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Serving Size 2 cakes
Calories 517
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 15g	5%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 52g	104%
Total Fat 27g	34%
Saturated Fat 5g	25%
Cholesterol 181mg	60%
Vitamin A 309IU	6%
Vitamin C 1mg	1%
Folate 55mcg	14%
Sodium 384mg	17%
Calcium 546mg	42%
Iron 3mg	15%
Magnesium 68mg	16%
Potassium 680mg	14%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.