Air Fryer Salmon Burgers

Easy Air Fryer Salmon Burgers Recipe (Fresh or Frozen!)

Learn how to make air fryer salmon burgers that are healthy, keto-friendly, and incredibly delicious!

We’ll walk you through the full process for making them from scratch using fresh salmon or from frozen patties if you’re short on time.

Easy Air Fryer Salmon Burgers Recipe Table of Contents

• Why These Salmon Burgers Are Healthy
• Ingredients & Supplies
• How to Make Salmon Burgers
• Frozen Salmon Burger Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• FAQs

Why Air Fryer Salmon Burgers Are the Perfect Healthy Choice

These healthy salmon burgers aren’t just delicious – they’re a smart nutritional upgrade from traditional beef burgers. They’re also a great option for meal preppers and health-conscious families who want to include more nutrient-dense, whole foods in their routine. Salmon is rich in essential fatty acids and B vitamins, and when cooked in the air fryer, you avoid unnecessary oils or deep-frying. It’s an excellent protein to include regularly in your weekly meal plan.

• Lower in Calories: Naturally leaner than beef, perfect for weight management
• Rich in Omega-3s: Essential fatty acids for heart and brain health
• High-Quality Protein: Complete protein that keeps you full longer
• Keto-Friendly: Great for low-carb lifestyles
• Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes using your air fryer

Ingredients and Supplies Needed

Ingredients:

• Fresh salmon (skin and pin bones removed)
• Dijon mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Fresh lemon juice
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Scallions, onions, or shallots
• Crushed red chili flakes
• Salt and pepper
• Avocado oil cooking spray

Supplies:

• Food processor or hand blender
• Air fryer
• Baking sheet
• Instant-read thermometer

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Burgers

Making salmon burgers in the air fryer is easier than you might think. Each step builds flavor and helps you achieve the ideal texture—crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. If you’ve never made patties from fresh fish before, don’t worry! We break it down simply below.

1. Prep the Salmon: Remove skin and bones. Chop into 1/4″ pieces. Process 1/4 of it with mustard, mayo, lemon juice until it forms a paste.
2. Combine: Mix paste with remaining salmon, breadcrumbs, scallions, and chili flakes.
3. Form Patties: Make 4 patties, season, and freeze 1 hour.
4. Cook: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spray basket. Air fry 8 minutes, flip, spray again, cook 5 more minutes.

How to Air Fry Frozen Salmon Burgers

Using frozen salmon burgers is a fantastic shortcut when you’re short on time or don’t have fresh salmon on hand.

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes
• Place the frozen salmon burgers in a single layer in the basket
• Spray tops with avocado oil
• Air fry at 375°F for 13–15 minutes, flipping halfway through

These instructions work great for store-bought options like the ones from Costco.

Alternative cooking methods: You can also bake frozen patties in a 400°F oven for 18–20 minutes, pan-fry them for about 5 minutes per side on medium-high heat, or grill them over medium heat for 5 minutes per side.

Serving Ideas

Enjoy these keto salmon burgers with a variety of topping and side combinations to suit your preferences. Go classic with lettuce, tomato, and pickles, or opt for creative twists like spicy mayo, tzatziki, or mango salsa. For a low-carb meal, use large butter lettuce leaves as a wrap, or place the patty over a salad with cucumbers, avocado, and red onion.

They also pair wonderfully with hearty and healthy air fryer sides like seasoned asparagus, zucchini chips, or even air-fried Brussels sprouts. Looking for more of a comfort-food angle? Try sweet potato fries, crispy tater tots, or a light quinoa salad to round out your plate.

• Lettuce wraps or burger buns
• Avocado, tomato, onion, or dill pickles
• Coleslaw, air fryer carrots, sweet potato fries
• Spicy aioli, dill yogurt sauce, or honey mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some helpful answers to common questions we get about making salmon burgers in the air fryer:

How long do salmon burgers take in the air fryer?

13 minutes total: 8 minutes, flip, then 5 more minutes at 400°F for fresh; 13–15 minutes at 375°F for frozen.

Are salmon burgers healthy?

Yes! They’re packed with omega-3s, lean protein, and are perfect for keto or low-carb diets.

Can I meal prep salmon burgers?

Yes – refrigerate patties up to 24 hours ahead or freeze for 3 months.

What temp should they reach?

145°F internal temp for safely cooked salmon.

Can I freeze uncooked salmon patties?

Yes, you can freeze uncooked homemade salmon patties. Just form the patties, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, freeze until solid, then store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Cook straight from frozen using the instructions above.

How do I keep the patties from falling apart?

The key is making sure the mixture is well chilled before cooking and not too wet. Binding agents like mayo, Dijon mustard, and panko help, and freezing the patties for about an hour before air frying ensures they hold their shape.

Air Fryer Salmon Burgers

Air fryer salmon burger recipe that is healthy, delicious, and keto-friendly complete with frozen air fryer instructions too!

4.63 / 5 ( 8 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 33 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Food processor or hand blender

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh salmon
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons scallions chopped (or yellow onion or shallot)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
• salt and pepper to taste
• avocado oil cooking spray

Instructions

• Remove any skin and pin bones from salmon, then chop into 1/4-inch pieces. Transfer 1/4 of the salmon pieces to a food processor. Place remaining salmon in a large bowl.
• Add mustard, mayonnaise, and lemon juice to the food processor. Pulse until a thick paste forms. Transfer mixture to the bowl with the remaining salmon. Mix in bread crumbs, scallions, and chili flakes until evenly combined.
• Form salmon mixture into 4 patties. Place on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.
• Preheat an air fryer to 400 °F. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil.
• Place burgers in the prepared basket and spray tops with avocado oil. Air fry for 8 minutes. Spray tops again and air fry for 5 minutes more. Salmon burgers are done once they reach an internal temperature of 145 °F on your instant read thermometer.

Recipe Notes

Can I use canned salmon? 

This recipe is so much better with fresh salmon instead of canned salmon. But, if canned salmon is your only choice, you can use it too! If using canned salmon:

• If you are having trouble keeping the patty together, you may want to try adding an egg to help the ingredients stick together. 
• Additionally, canned salmon is already cooked, so the cooking time may be shorter than written. 

I haven't personally tried this recipe with canned salmon, so if you end up using canned salmon share with us in the comments how it went for you!

Salmon Burgers From Frozen Cooking Instructions

Note: the cooking instructions will be similar if you made the homemade patties. Use an instant read thermometer to gauge if your food is done. 

Air fryer instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/200°C.
2. Place the patties in the air fryer basket. Spray the tops with oil.
3. Cook for 13-15 minutes in the air fryer at 375°F/190°C. Flip and spray the burgers again at the halfway point. 

Oven instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
2. Place the patties on a lightly sprayed baking sheet.
3. Cook for 18-20 minutes in the oven at 400°F/200°C, or until they come to temperature. 

Stovetop instructions

1. Heat a skillet with your favorite cooking oil or fat over medium-high heat.
2. Once hot, place the frozen salmon patties on the skillet and cook each side for about 5 minutes, or until the patties come to temperature. 

Grill instructions

1. Preheat the grill to 350°F/175°C. 
2. Once hot, place the frozen salmon patties on the grill and cook each side for about 5 minutes, or until the patties come to temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 240mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

Recipe From: AllRecipes.com

 

Final Thoughts

This easy air fryer salmon burger recipe is a perfect mix of convenience, flavor, and health.

They freeze well too—just cook from frozen and you’ll have a satisfying, protein-rich meal in under 20 minutes.

Don’t forget to pin or print the recipe card above. If you try it, leave a comment and rating—we’d love to hear how it turned out!

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