Air-Fried Salmon Nuggets: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Salmon nuggets are a convenient and tasty way to enjoy salmon. They are also a healthier alternative to deep-fried salmon, as air frying retains more of the food's nutritional benefits. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in just 10 minutes using an air fryer. The end result is a delicious, savoury treat with a crispy breading and a tender, moist centre.

Choosing the right salmon fillets

When choosing salmon fillets, there are several things to consider to ensure you get the best quality. Firstly, if possible, opt for fresh wild salmon. This is typically only available for a few months of the year, so outside of this period, you can choose vacuum-packed, frozen wild salmon. When selecting a whole fish, look for clear, bright, and shiny eyes, deep red gills, and shiny, slippery skin. The fish should feel firm, not floppy. For fillets, the flesh should be plump, firm, and moist with a bright orange-red hue and nice marbling. It should spring back when poked and shouldn't have any fishy odour.

When it comes to salmon species, there are several options, each with unique characteristics. King salmon, also known as Chinook, is the largest and has the highest oil content. Sockeye, or Red Salmon, has high oil content and bright red flesh. Silver salmon, or Coho, falls in the middle for oil content and has bright red flesh. Pink salmon has the lowest oil content and a more delicate flavour. Chum salmon, or Keta salmon, has lower oil content and paler flesh. Atlantic salmon, often identified by its country of origin, is relatively high in oil content and adaptable to various cooking methods.

When preparing salmon nuggets in an air fryer, it is recommended to use skinless, centre-cut salmon fillets that are at least 1-inch thick. You can trim off the thinner outer edges for a more uniform size. Removing the skin ensures the nuggets have the right texture.

Preparing the salmon

Firstly, you will need to cut the salmon fillet into chunks. Most recipes suggest chunks of around 1 inch in size, although some suggest slightly larger, 1.5-inch chunks. If your salmon has skin on it, you will need to remove this first. This can be done by peeling it off with your hands, perhaps using a paper towel to get a good grip.

Once you have your salmon chunks, you will need to pat them dry with a paper towel. This will help the breading stick to the salmon. Next, prepare a breading station. This will typically consist of three shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine flour with a seasoning of your choice—Old Bay, Greek seasoning, or a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika all work well. In the second dish, whisk together some eggs with a little water. In the third dish, combine breadcrumbs with more seasoning. Traditional breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs both work well, and you can add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, dried parsley, and dried dill to taste.

Now you are ready to start breading the salmon. Take each chunk of salmon and coat it first in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the breadcrumbs stick well to the salmon, pushing the salmon into the crumbs if necessary.

Your salmon nuggets are now ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Preparing the breading

In the second dish, add a couple of eggs and a small amount of water, and whisk them together. The eggs will act as a binding agent for the breading. You can also add some garlic powder to this mixture for extra flavour.

The third dish will contain the dry ingredients for the final coating. Combine Panko breadcrumbs, traditional breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. You can also add other dried herbs and spices to this mixture, such as dried parsley and dill.

Now that your breading station is set up, you can begin the process of coating the salmon nuggets. First, pat the salmon dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Then, coat each nugget in the flour mixture, followed by the egg mixture, and finally, the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the salmon to ensure they stick during the cooking and flipping process.

Coating the salmon

To coat the salmon, you will need to prepare a breading station. This will involve setting up a dredging assembly line with three shallow bowls.

In the first bowl, combine flour and your chosen seasoning. For a simple seasoning, you can use Old Bay, or make your own blend with garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. For a Greek-style blend, use Greek seasoning, or make your own with garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Alternatively, you can use a blend of sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

In the second bowl, whisk together some eggs and a little water. You can use whole eggs or just egg whites, depending on your preference.

In the third bowl, combine your chosen breadcrumbs with the same seasoning used in the first bowl. You can use traditional breadcrumbs, panko, or crushed pork rinds for extra crunch.

Now, you are ready to start coating the salmon. Begin by patting the salmon dry with a paper towel. Next, coat each piece of salmon in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the salmon into the egg mixture, again allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the salmon in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring the breadcrumbs adhere well to the salmon. You can use your hands to gently press the breadcrumbs onto the salmon to ensure an even coating.

Once all the salmon pieces are coated, they are ready to be placed into the air fryer and cooked to crispy, golden perfection!

Cooking the salmon

Now that you have your salmon fillets cut into 1-inch chunks, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Prepare the Salmon:

Before you begin breading the salmon, it's important to pat the chunks dry with a paper towel. This will help the breading stick better and create a crispier texture. If your salmon has skin, you can easily remove it by peeling it off with your hands or using a paper towel for a better grip.

Bread the Salmon:

For a crispy and flavourful coating, you'll need to set up a breading station. Grab three shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine flour with seasonings like Old Bay, garlic powder, onion powder, or salt. You can also use Greek seasoning, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, or a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. In the second dish, whisk together some eggs and a small amount of water. In the third dish, mix breadcrumbs, traditional breadcrumbs, or crushed pork rinds with additional seasonings. Coat each salmon nugget first in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally, coat it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the breadcrumbs adhere well to the salmon.

Air Fry the Salmon Nuggets:

Spritz or brush your air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the salmon nuggets inside, making sure they don't touch each other or the sides of the basket. Spritz or brush the salmon generously with oil. Set your air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C) and cook the salmon for 8-10 minutes. For even cooking and browning, flip the salmon nuggets halfway through the cooking process and spritz or brush them with oil again.

Check for Doneness:

To ensure your salmon nuggets are cooked perfectly, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Salmon is considered fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 125-135°F for medium doneness. You can also check by inserting a fork into the centre of a nugget and twisting gently. If the salmon flakes easily and is opaque, it's done.

Serve Immediately:

Salmon nuggets are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer. Serve them immediately with your choice of dipping sauce, such as spicy mayo, tartar sauce, honey mustard, garlic aioli, or a Greek tzatziki sauce.

Frequently asked questions