Air-Fried Salmon Cakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy food with less oil. You can make salmon cakes in an air fryer using canned or fresh salmon, eggs, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and seasonings. The cakes are then shaped into patties and cooked in the air fryer for around 8-10 minutes. This method produces salmon cakes with a crispy exterior and tender interior.

Choosing the right salmon

Freshness

The freshness of the salmon is crucial. Look for salmon that appears moist and has a vibrant colour, from deep shades of red to bright pink. Avoid salmon with any dried-out spots, browning, or bruising. Fresh salmon should also have a subtle ocean-like scent, not a strong fishy odour.

Wild-Caught vs. Farmed Salmon

Both wild-caught and farmed salmon can be excellent choices, depending on your preferences and availability. Wild-caught salmon is known for its rich flavour and optimal nutritional profile, often labelled as "wild-caught" or "line-caught." Farmed salmon, labelled as "farm-raised" or "sustainably-farmed," can be a more affordable and sustainable option but may have varying quality depending on the farming practices.

Variety

Different varieties of salmon offer distinct characteristics. King (Chinook) salmon is the largest, pinkest, and most expensive, with the highest oil content. Sockeye (red) salmon and Coho (silver) salmon are slightly more affordable and offer a deep red or light grey colour, respectively. Chum (dog) salmon and pink salmon are the smallest, palest, and least expensive, often sold in cans or pouches.

Frozen Salmon

If you don't have access to fresh salmon, frozen salmon can be a great alternative. Look for "once-frozen" or "flash-frozen" options, which preserve the flavour, texture, and nutrients. Avoid frozen salmon with signs of freezer burn or thawing, as it may have lost moisture and nutrients.

Trusted Sources

When buying salmon, consider choosing a trusted brand or source. Opt for salmon that is ocean-raised, sustainably sourced, and delivered directly to your door to ensure maximum freshness and quality.

By following these guidelines, you can select the right salmon for your air fryer salmon cakes. Remember to trust your instincts and choose salmon that looks, smells, and feels fresh to ensure a delicious and healthy final product.

Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, you'll want to decide whether to line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or give it a generous spray with cooking spray or oil. This is an important step to prevent sticking and ensure your salmon cakes come out easily. If you choose to use cooking spray, be sure to use an avocado or olive oil spray, as vegetable oil spray can cause gunk to build up in your air fryer basket over time.

Next, you'll want to preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating to around 390-400°F.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your salmon cakes in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. Overcrowding will block the hot air from circulating properly, resulting in less crispy cakes. If you do need to cook in batches, simply keep the first batch warm in the oven while the second batch cooks.

Now your air fryer is ready to go, it's time to start cooking! Place your salmon cakes in the basket, giving them a light spray with cooking spray or oil to help them crisp up. Depending on your air fryer and the size of your cakes, cook for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

And that's it! You're now ready to enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthy salmon cakes.

Combining ingredients

The ingredients you'll need for your salmon cakes are:

• Salmon (canned or fresh)
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
• Mayonnaise
• Seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, black pepper, dill, parsley, Old Bay seasoning)
• Vegetables (e.g. red bell pepper, red onion, fresh chopped parsley)

You can also add a squeeze of lemon or serve with a sauce like tartar sauce, remoulade, or hot sauce.

To combine the ingredients, start by draining and flaking your canned salmon or shredding your fresh salmon. Then, in a medium bowl, mix together the salmon, eggs, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and seasonings until well combined. If using vegetables, chop them finely and add them to the mixture as well.

For the breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or panko, which will give your salmon cakes a crunchier texture. If you're gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free panko.

Feel free to get creative with your seasonings. You can use a blend of garlic powder, black pepper, and dried or fresh dill, or try something like Old Bay seasoning, which is a blend of paprika, salt, and garlic powder. Fresh chopped parsley will also add a nice flavour and colour to your salmon cakes.

If you're using vegetables, finely chop them and add them to the mixture. Red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh parsley are all great options.

Once all your ingredients are in the bowl, stir everything together until it's well combined. You want to make sure the salmon mixture is thick enough to form into patties, so if it's too wet, you can add a little extra breadcrumbs.

At this point, you can also add a squeeze of lemon juice to the mixture for some extra flavour and brightness.

Finally, give the mixture a good stir to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed, and you're ready to start forming your patties!

Shaping the cakes

Start by using a measuring cup to scoop out the salmon mixture. A 1/2 cup measuring cup is a good size to use, as it helps to portion out the mixture evenly and create consistently sized patties. Pack the mixture firmly into the cup, then tap it out into your palm.

Next, gently pat and shape the mixture into a patty that is about 1 inch thick. It is important that the patty has an even thickness across to ensure even cooking. Use your hands to gently tap and shape the mixture until you achieve the desired shape.

Make sure to form the patties into a consistent size and thickness. This will ensure that they cook through at the same time. Using a measuring cup can help with consistency.

Place the shaped patties into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave some space between each patty to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the patties in batches.

Once the patties are in the air fryer basket, give them a light spray with cooking spray or oil. This will help to give them a crispy exterior and prevent them from sticking to the basket.

If you are cooking a large batch, you can place the first batch on a baking sheet and keep them warm in an oven while the second batch cooks. Alternatively, you can also cook them in an air fryer oven, rotating the trays halfway through cooking.

Cooking the cakes

Now that you've prepared your salmon mixture, it's time to cook your cakes! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F to 400°F. The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and preferences for crispiness.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket or oven with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. This step ensures that your salmon cakes don't stick to the surface and helps achieve that desirable crispy exterior.
• Use a measuring cup to scoop out approximately 1/2 cup of the salmon mixture. This helps you shape evenly sized patties, which is crucial for even cooking.
• Shape the mixture into patties, aiming for a thickness of around 1 inch. It's important that the patties are of uniform thickness and size to ensure they cook through at the same time.
• Place the salmon patties into the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap or crowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches to allow for proper air circulation.
• Lightly spray the tops of the patties with cooking spray or a spritz of olive oil to promote even browning and crispness.
• Air fry the salmon cakes at the preheated temperature for 8 to 12 minutes. For the best results, flip the patties halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• Your salmon cakes are ready when they are golden brown and cooked through. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check if they have reached an internal temperature of 160°F.
• Serve your salmon cakes with your choice of sides and sauces. They go well with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, salad, pita bread, or hamburger buns.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy air fryer salmon cakes!

Frequently asked questions