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Incredibly Easy Homemade Salmon Burgers in the Air Fryer

Name: Air Fryer Salmon Burgers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 93 min
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh salmon; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons scallions (chopped (or yellow onion or shallot)); 1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes; salt and pepper (to taste); avocado oil cooking spray

4.63 / 5 ( 8 Reviews )

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

May 10, 2024 The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

Can you air fry salmon patties?

Have you ever tried an air fryer salmon burger? We aren’t huge fish lovers in our home, but oh boy! There are a couple of us who love a good and juicy salmon burger!

Plus, salmon burgers are so simple to make in the air fryer!

Keep reading to learn how to make air fryer salmon burgers, air fryer salmon cakes, or air fryer salmon patties!

I’ve also included oven, stovetop, and grill instructions near the bottom of this post.

Are salmon burgers healthier than beef?

Salmon burgers are so flavorful and a great way to mix up your BBQ’s meat choices this summer! Don’t get me wrong, I love a juicy burger. But, here are a few reasons why salmon burgers rock!

Salmon is the preferred choice between the salmon and beef on low-fat and low-calorie diets. (source).
Salmon burgers are healthy! Salmon is high in protein, low in saturated fat, and is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. (source).
Salmon can help you lose weight! Salmon is packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which your body can’t produce. (source).

In short, this is a great keto or low-carb recipe! Check out a few more keto recipes for the air fryer!

Ingredients and Supplies needed to make this Air Fryer Salmon Patties Recipe

salmon patties ingredients

Ingredients needed:

Fresh salmon
Dijon mustard
Mayonnaise
Lemon juice
Panko breadcrumbs (or panko)
Chopped scallions (or yellow onions or shallots)
Crushed red chili flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Avocado oil cooking spray

Supplies needed:

food processor or hand blender
Air fryer
Baking sheet or cookie sheet

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 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 below how it went for you!

How to make homemade salmon burgers

how to make salmon patties

Step 1: Prepare the salmon

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.

homemade salmon cakes

Step 2: Add seasoning

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.

how to make salmon patties

Step 3: Combine patty mixture

Form salmon mixture into 4 patties. Place on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.

make salmon cakes

Step 4: Air fry salmon patties

When you are ready to cook your salmon patties in the air fryer.

salmon patties in air fryer

First, preheat an air fryer to 400F or 200C.

Then, spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil.

To cook homemade salmon burgers in the air fryer, place the patties in the prepared basket and spray tops with avocado oil. Air fry for 8 minutes at 400F or 200C. Flip the patties, spray the tops again, and cook for 5 minutes more.

How do you know when air fryer salmon is done?

Salmon burgers will look done when the salmon chunks are no longer raw and the outsides are lightly browned to your liking.

What temperature should salmon burgers be cooked to?

More precisely, salmon burgers are done once they reach an internal temperature of 145F or 63C on your instant-read thermometer.

Download my FREE internal temperature guide so you never have to wonder if your meat, seafood, and baked goods are undercooked in the air fryer!

How do I cook a frozen salmon burger from Costco?

You can also make frozen salmon burgers from Costco in your air fryer! Check out these different baking instructions for the air fryer, oven, stovetop, and grill.

PS- these cooking instructions are very similar or the same if you are using the homemade salmon patties.

How long do you cook frozen salmon burgers in the air fryer?

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

How long do you cook frozen salmon burgers in the oven?

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

How long do you cook frozen salmon burgers on the stovetop?

Heat a skillet with your favorite cooking oil or fat over medium-high heat.
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.

How long do you cook frozen salmon burgers on the grill?

Preheat the grill to 350F or 175C.
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.

Serving Suggestions

air fryer salmon burgers

Enjoy these fresh salmon burgers at your next BBQ topped with burger classics of avocado, lettuce, toasted buns, fresh garden tomatoes, sautéed onions, and dill/pickles. Share with us in the comments what you like to top on your burgers!

Then, try these burgers with one of these side dishes!

air fryer salmon patties

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you defrost salmon burgers before cooking?

No, you do not need to defrost salmon burgers before cooking unless your packaging instructions indicate otherwise.

Is it okay to eat slightly undercooked salmon?

If you eat undercooked salmon, you risk exposing yourself to being infected by a tapeworm. (source).

Is it okay for salmon to be pink in the middle?

Cooked salmon color inside will be an opaque pinkish white color on the outside and translucent pink on the inside.

If your fillet is still dark pink on the outside, it needs to cook more. If it has turned light, opaque pink on the inside it is overcooked. (source).

air fryer salmon burgers

Final Thoughts

Salmon burgers, salmon patties, or salmon cakes – however you’d like to call them – are a tasty summer burger variation that you need to try! Salmon burgers are not only healthy for you (especially if you want to loose weight), but are also so tasty and full of great flavor! I love the hint of lemon and the small kick from the red pepper flakes in this recipe!

Share with us in the comments below what you love about these salmon burgers!

how to make salmon burgers in the air fryer

More air fryer recipes

Air fryer tips and tricks

air fryer salmon patties

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

Cook Time: 13

Resting Time: 1

Total Time: 1 33

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

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

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/200°C.
Place the patties in the air fryer basket. Spray the tops with oil.
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

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

Stovetop instructions

Heat a skillet with your favorite cooking oil or fat over medium-high heat.
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

Preheat the grill to 350°F/175°C.
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.