Air Fryer Salmon Patties

Making Air Fryer Salmon Patties has become one of my favorite weeknight moves because they’re fast, fresh, and never disappoint. Each patty comes out golden and crispy on the outside with a tender, flavorful center packed with salmon, dill, fresh basil, and a bright hit of lemon. A cool dollop of sour cream on top makes them absolutely restaurant-worthy every single time.

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I love making these for family dinners and weekly meal prep because the air fryer gets them done fast without the mess of pan-frying. They keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days, making them great for packing lunches and eating throughout the week. Reheat in the air fryer to get that crispiness back perfectly.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Patties with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Here’s how I make these from start to finish, and I promise it’s simpler than you’d expect.

Mix the Salmon Mixture

Add the diced salmon, breadcrumbs, green onions, minced garlic, finely chopped basil, dill, egg, paprika, fresh lemon juice and zest, salt, and black pepper to a medium or large bowl. Fresh salmon is the best, but canned salmon, particularly canned pink salmon, works too if that’s what you have on hand.

I use regular bread crumbs here, but panko breadcrumbs are also fine, or if you need to make these salmon patties gluten-free, opt for a gluten-free version. If you’re out of fresh garlic, garlic powder works as a convenient swap, too. Use about ¼ teaspoon garlic powder in place of one minced clove.

Mix everything together until well combined. Don’t overmix or the patties can become dense. If the mixture feels a little dry, just add a small splash of water until it holds together when you press it.

Shape the Salmon Patties

Divide the mixture into 5 equal portions and gently shape each one into a patty. Try to keep them a consistent thickness so they cook evenly in the air fryer. A gentle hand goes a long way since pressing too hard can make them tough.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This step matters because starting with a hot basket helps the outside of the patties crisp up right away instead of steaming.

Prepare the Basket

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a food-grade silicone air fryer basket liner and lightly spray it with cooking oil spray. The liner prevents sticking and makes cleanup so much easier. Place salmon patties in a single layer with space between each one so the hot air can circulate properly.

Air Fry the Patties

Air fry for 6 minutes, then carefully flip each patty with silicone-tipped tongs and cook for another 4 minutes, or until golden brown and perfectly cooked through. The flip is important for getting that even golden color on both sides. Remove them carefully since they’re tender, and you want to keep them intact.

Serve Warm

Serve immediately with sour cream, lemon wedges, and fresh herbs like finely chopped fresh dill or fresh parsley. A squeeze of lemon right over the top, right before eating, makes all the flavors pop.

Serve and enjoy!

If you’re bringing these delicious salmon patties to a gathering, let them cool completely before packing to prevent sogginess. Stack them between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container to keep them from sticking together. A cooler with an ice pack is ideal for keeping them food-safe during transport.

How to Store Leftovers

Let any leftover salmon patties cool completely before storing, ideally on a wire cooling rack if you have one. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer or oven and they’ll crisp right back up beautifully.

For longer storage, flash-freeze them in a single layer on a freezer-safe sheet pan for about an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Salmon Patties

Sour cream is already built into the recipe, and it’s the perfect creamy contrast to the herby, lemony patties. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette works really well alongside, as does a side of roasted vegetables or steamed rice if you want something more filling.

Tartar sauce is a natural match for salmon patties and is worth setting out alongside the sour cream so people can choose their favorite dipping sauce. A drizzle of hot sauce also works really well if you like a little heat with your fish.

For a casual meal, serve the patties in slider buns or on a bed of mixed greens for a lighter take. Coleslaw is another great pairing since the crunch and tang complement the tender patties beautifully. A few extra lemon wedges on the side never hurt either.

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

I think you’ll also love these other easy air fryer recipes.

• Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp
• Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
• Air Fryer Zucchini Boats
• Air Fryer Stuffing Balls