Air Fryer Salmon Patties are made with fresh salmon, almond flour and a few basic seasonings. They’re gluten-free and dairy-free, and require no mayo, breadcrumbs or crackers. Serve them with a side salad or on a burger bun for a filling lunch or dinner!
If you love these salmon cakes, you’ll also want to try these air fryer crab cakes!
Salmon is on the menu quite a bit for us. It’s one of those proteins that we agree on in our house, so I tend to cook it a lot.
This air fryer salmon recipe is a staple (the crispy and spicy crust is the best) and this salmon quinoa bake is a one pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Now, these salmon patties with fresh salmon have been on repeat in our house. They come together quickly, require less than 10 ingredients and take just 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. The result is a soft and tender salmon patty that’s golden brown and crispy.
Ingredients for air fryer salmon patties
*Below is an overview of the ingredients for this recipe. See the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact quantities used.
Fresh salmon – A lot of recipes for salmon patties or salmon cakes use canned salmon. While I’ve made those before, and they’re quite tasty, I prefer the taste and texture of fresh salmon patties. Fresh salmon is more expensive than canned, but you don’t need a lot for this recipe. Just one small fillet, combined with the other ingredients, makes four large patties.
Almond flour – Salmon cakes usually include breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs in combination with eggs to help hold them together. I wanted to keep these patties gluten-free and grain-free, so I opted for finely ground almond flour. It also adds some extra protein and helps make these patties filling.
Onion – This recipe includes half a chopped onion. It might seem like a lot for four patties, but it adds a lot of flavour and even some moisture to the patties.
Chives – I love the flavour and pop of colour that fresh chives add to these air fryer salmon cakes. If you can’t find fresh chives, I would caution against using dried chives as a substitute as they don’t have as much flavour. Instead, opt for another type of fresh herb such as dill or add some green onion.
How to make salmon patties in the air fryer
Step 1: Remove the skin from your salmon fillet, if it isn’t already removed, and cut the salmon into a few pieces. Add all of the ingredients to a food processor.
Step 2: Process on high until everything is combined but some small pieces of salmon, onion and chives remain.
Step 3: Shape the mixture into 4 patties about 3-inches in diameter and refrigerate for half an hour.
Step 4: Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the patties in a single layer in the bottom of the basket and spray the tops of the patties with cooking spray. Air fry on 400F for 10-12 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
The texture of the fresh salmon, along with the egg and almond flour, helps keep these patties together. Also, refrigerating the patties before air frying them helps firm them up.
While I think these patties are best enjoyed right out of the air fryer when they’re hot and crispy, if you have leftovers, they should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoyed within 3-4 days. To reheat them, just microwave for 45-60 seconds or until just heated through. Be careful not to overheat as they will dry out.
Yes. Just wrap the raw patties individually in plastic wrap, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, store them in a freezer safe bag or container for 2-3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before air frying.
What to serve with air fried salmon patties
These salmon cakes are perfect to serve with a side salad like this spring salad or this vegetable orzo salad.
Not in the mood for a pasta or green salad? No problem. Serve these air fried salmon cakes up with some healthier coleslaw, air fryer baby potatoes or air fryer potato slices.
And, if you like a good condiment topping, try this cashew mayo, creamy jalapeƱo dip or chipotle dip. They’re great options if you’re serving these patties as salmon burgers on buns or on lettuce leaves.
Recipe tips and substitutions
- I used garlic powder in this recipe, but you can use fresh garlic if you prefer. Just replace the half a teaspoon of garlic powder with 2 cloves of garlic.
- Make sure you grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray so the salmon patties don’t stick. I also like to spray the tops of the patties with cooking spray to help them get that golden brown colour.
- Don’t skip the step of refrigerating the salmon cakes. This helps firm them up and allows the flavours to blend.
- Be sure not to air fry the salmon patties too far passed the recommended time as they will dry out.
More air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash Home Fries
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
- Air Fryer Chickpeas
- Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- Air Fryer Pork Schnitzel
- Air Fryer Carrots (three ways)
- Air Fryer Chicken Patties
More air fryer seafood recipes
If you make these air fryer salmon patties, please leave a comment and rating below to let me know how it turned out!
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Air Fryer Salmon Patties (with Fresh Salmon)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 patties
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Air Fryer Salmon Patties are made with fresh salmon, almond flour and a few basic seasonings. They’re gluten-free and dairy-free, and require no bread crumbs or crackers. Serve them up with a side salad or on a burger bun for a filling lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 small salmon fillet, skin removed (about 5 ounces)
- 2/3 cup almond flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 medium-sized onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the salmon fillet into a few pieces and add all of the ingredients to a food processor.
- Process on high until everything is combined but a few small pieces of salmon, onion and chives remain throughout.
- Shape into 4 patties about 3-inches in diameter and refrigerate for half an hour.
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the patties in a single layer in the bottom of the basket and spray the tops of the patties with cooking spray.
- Air fry on 400F for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy on the outside.
Notes
- If you can’t find fresh chives, I don’t recommend using dried chives as they don’t have as much flavour. Instead, try using green onion or even fresh dill.
- Don’t skip the step of refrigerating the salmon patties. This helps firm them up and allows the flavours to blend.
- These patties are best served immediately when they’re hot and crispy. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoyed within 3-4 days. They just won’t be crispy when reheated.
- Be sure to check out the FAQ as well as the tips and substitutions section above the recipe for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.
Can you make the patties the night before?
Hi Kathleen! Fresh salmon only lasts 1-2 days in the refrigerator, so I would make and air fry these patties the same day. You could make the patties ahead of time and freeze them. Then, when you are ready to enjoy them, just defrost for a few hours in the refrigerator before air frying. Hope that helps!
Made these salmon patties last night, and they were a huge hit and SO easy. When chopping the veggies is the hardest part of prep, I consider that a fantastic success. I added these to our cookbook for an easy way to change up weeknight dinners while trying to keep it healthy. I added a sriracha dill dipping sauce found on a different page and it was the perfect combo.
Also, I doubled the recipe and made 12 smaller “finger-food” sized patties and they did great for 8-9 min on 400-degrees in the air fryer!
Hi Clara! I’m so glad you enjoyed the salmon patties. Thanks for sharing the adjustments you made. Serving them with a sriracha dill dipping sauce sounds delicious!
The salmon cakes look so crispy and delicious! I definitely need to give them a try!
Thanks Tasia! Hope you like them as much as we do!
We are loving all things salmon right now, so your timing is perfect, Leanne! Just look at those crispy edges! We definitely need to get an air fryer!
Thanks Marissa! I totally think you should get an air fryer! š
Salmon is my favorite fish! I need to try these soon. They sound SO GOOD, Leanne!
Thanks Kelsie! Hope you like them!
I just love any kind of fish pattie or cake – and these look incredible. I love that they use fresh salmon (I have only ever tried with tinned) and I love that they’re cooked in the air fryer so they get crispy and delicious š
Thanks Alex! I really enjoy the taste and texture of using fresh salmon. And the air fryer is my favourite way to prepare them!
What a great healthy dish Leanne. They sound just delicious. Perfect for the summer season when I try to keep things light!
Thanks Mary Ann!
I’ve made salmon patties in the air fryer once and I loved how crispy they turned out, plus there was a lot less mess! I used canned salmon most of the time but will have to try it with fresh next time! These look delicious Leanne. š
I’m with you on the less mess Marcie! And definitely recommend giving salmon patties a try with fresh salmon!
Great recipe! Iām a huge fan of salmon so I will be trying this recipe for sure! Amazing pics as usual.
Thanks Terry! Hope you like them as much as we do!