💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These salmon cakes are made with fresh salmon for a richer flavor and tender texture, with a perfectly crisp exterior from the air fryer. They’re still quick enough for a weeknight but feel a little more elevated—perfect for when you want something simple and special.
Air Fryer Salmon Cakes
These salmon cakes are made with fresh salmon for a richer flavor and tender texture, with a perfectly crisp exterior from the air fryer.
Ingredients
Method
- Finely chop the raw salmon with a knife, or pulse a few times in a food processor until finely minced (not pureed).
- Transfer salmon to a bowl and add breadcrumbs, egg, Greek yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and seasonings.
- Mix gently until just combined.
- Form into 4–6 patties.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Lightly spray the basket and tops of patties with oil.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 145°F).
Notes
Tips & Swaps
- Don’t over-process the salmon—texture is key
- Add finely diced celery or green onion for extra crunch
- Can also bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes if needed
Meal Prep & Storage
- Fridge: Store cooked patties up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze cooked patties up to 2 months
- Reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 3–5 minutes
Heart-Healthy Notes
- Fresh salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart health
- Greek yogurt replaces mayo to reduce saturated fat
- Whole wheat breadcrumbs add fiber for blood sugar support
- Lower sodium than canned salmon versions
Original Inspiration
Inspired by classic salmon cake recipes, adapted for fresh salmon and heart-healthy ingredients.I found that if I placed the formed salmon cakes on a parchment paper covered tray and popped them in the freezer for the 30 minutes, they would hold their shape better when I cooked them.
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Don’t panic if your salmon mixture seems a little loose. My solution to that problem tonight was to first cover the bowl and pop it into the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, I took it out of the freezer and weighed it. Make sure you put some parchment paper on the scale. Once you know how much the entire recipe weighs, you can calculate how much a single serving will weigh. Once I had the recipe separated out, I placed it on a small cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Back into the freezer for another 30 minutes. This helped the patties hold their shape as I then placed them in the air fryer! Let me know if you try this trick.