Air-Fryer Salmon Burgers: Quick, Crispy, Delicious

how to cook salmon burgers in an air fryer

Salmon burgers are a healthy alternative to beef burgers, adding omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats to your diet. They are also a great way to switch up your meals if you're doing meat-free Mondays. Cooking salmon burgers in an air fryer is a quick and easy process, and they can be made with either fresh or canned salmon. You can also cook them straight from frozen, which is a convenient option for a weeknight meal.

How to cook salmon burgers in an air fryer

Characteristics Values
Ingredients Fresh or canned salmon, egg, onion, dill, mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, breadcrumbs or panko, salt, pepper, avocado or olive oil
Preparation Combine ingredients and form into patties, freeze for 10 minutes, place in air fryer basket
Air Fryer Temperature 400°F (200°C)
Cooking Time 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway
Doneness Flesh should flake when pressed with a fork, opaque appearance, internal temperature of 145˚F
Serving Suggestions Pair with Parmesan asparagus fries, quinoa salad with kale and cranberries, or garlic butter mushrooms; can be served in a bun, wrapped in lettuce, or on a salad
Storage Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, freeze for up to 3 months

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Salmon burger ingredients and preparation

Salmon burgers are a healthy alternative to beef burgers, adding omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats to your diet. They are also a great way to use leftover or canned salmon.

Ingredients

You can use either fresh or canned salmon for your salmon burgers. If using fresh salmon, you will need one pound of skinless salmon. For canned salmon, two six-ounce cans should be enough.

You will also need:

  • Eggs
  • Onion
  • Fresh dill
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Lemon juice
  • Parsley
  • Panko or breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray

Preparation

Start by dicing the salmon into large chunks and placing them in a food processor. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon zest. Pulse until the salmon is chopped, then fold in the parsley and breadcrumbs. Season with salt, dill, and pepper.

Divide the mixture into four to six equal portions and shape each portion into a patty. You can do this by hand or use a round biscuit cutter. The patties should be about two inches thick and four inches in width.

Place the patties on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10 to 60 minutes to help the patties hold their shape.

Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C). Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray. Place the patties in the prepared basket and spray the tops with more cooking spray.

Cook the salmon burgers for 8 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145˚F for fish, which can be measured with a food thermometer.

Salmon burgers can be frozen before or after cooking and will keep in the freezer for up to three months. They can be reheated in the microwave, air fryer, or stovetop.

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Air fryer settings and cooking time

To cook salmon burgers in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Some recipes suggest preheating for around 3 minutes, while others suggest 7 minutes. However, the majority of recipes agree that the total cooking time for salmon burgers in an air fryer is around 10 minutes.

If you are cooking frozen salmon burgers, you may want to preheat your air fryer for slightly longer, and cook the burgers for 12 to 13 minutes, checking for doneness around the 10-minute mark. If you are cooking with fresh salmon, the total cooking time will be shorter at around 8 to 10 minutes.

It is important to flip your salmon burgers halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. You can check for doneness by pressing the flesh of the burger with a fork; it should flake and appear opaque when cooked through. The official FDA recommendation for doneness is an internal temperature of 145˚F as measured by a food thermometer.

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How to cook frozen salmon burgers

Cooking frozen salmon burgers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a healthy meal. It is also a great way to get your kids to eat more fish. The process is almost identical to cooking the burgers in an oven, but it takes less time.

First, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. If your air fryer does not have a preheat feature, just run it for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or olive oil spray to prevent the burgers from sticking. Place the frozen salmon burgers in the basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd or overlap them, as this will prevent the air from circulating properly.

Air fry the salmon burgers for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your patties and the type of air fryer you are using, so keep an eye on them. You can check for doneness around 10 minutes by using a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 145°F. If not, add an additional 2-4 minutes until the desired temperature is reached.

Once the burgers are done, remove them from the basket and assemble them with your favorite toppings and condiments. Some popular topping ideas for salmon burgers include tartar sauce, remoulade, aioli, salsa, avocado, pickled vegetables, and bacon. You can serve the burgers on a bun or use them to top a salad.

Cooked salmon burgers will keep in the fridge for about 2 days when covered or stored in a container. You can also freeze leftovers for about 2 months when wrapped well in plastic or placed in a sealed freezer bag. To reheat, place the frozen burgers on a sheet pan and bake in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until warm.

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Reheating and storing leftovers

To store leftover salmon burgers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. They can be eaten cold on a salad or reheated in the microwave until warm.

Salmon burgers can also be frozen and stored in the freezer for up to three months. To freeze, place the burgers between wax or parchment paper in a freezer-safe container to prevent them from sticking together. Alternatively, freeze them on a baking sheet and then transfer them to a ziplock bag. When you're ready to enjoy your frozen salmon burgers, thaw them in the fridge overnight, and reheat them in the microwave, air fryer, or on the stovetop. You can also cook them as you would a fresh burger.

If you're cooking frozen salmon burgers in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen burgers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Air fry for 12 to 13 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Check for doneness around the 10-minute mark, as the cooking time will depend on the size of your patties.

If you're reheating cooked salmon burgers in the air fryer, you can follow the same instructions as above, adjusting the cooking time as needed.

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Serving suggestions and sides

Salmon burgers are a great healthy alternative to beef burgers and are delicious when cooked in an air fryer. They go well with a variety of sides and serving options.

You can serve your salmon burgers on toasted buns with toppings of your choice, such as mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onions, or cheese. You can also add a thick slice of tomato, white onion, and corn remoulade. For a spicy kick, you can add spicy mayo, sesame seeds, and soy sauce.

If you're looking for a lighter option, you can serve the salmon burgers on a bed of mixed greens or Romaine lettuce with extra veggies like cherry tomatoes and avocado, or roasted vegetables. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.

For a heartier meal, serve the salmon burgers with sides like air fryer roasted potatoes, sweet potato fries, or Parmesan asparagus fries.

You can also get creative and serve the salmon burgers in rice bowls or sliders. For a dipping option, you can make a remoulade sauce by combining mayo, lemon juice, and capers.

Salmon burgers are versatile and can be tailored to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Enjoy experimenting with different serving options and sides!

Frequently asked questions

Set your air fryer to 400°F.

It depends on the size of your patties. Smaller patties will take around 10-12 minutes, while larger ones can take up to 15 minutes.

The cooked salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F for safety, but some sources suggest cooking to a lower temperature to avoid toughness.

Yes, you can cook frozen salmon burgers in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the burgers for 12 to 13 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Salmon burgers are versatile and pair well with various toppings. You can serve them with traditional burger fixings, avocado slices, salsa, or a remoulade sauce made with mayo, lemon juice, and capers.

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