Air Fryer Salmon Burgers
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These Air Fryer Salmon Burgers are an easy to make seafood dinner that can be made with fresh salmon or canned salmon. Easy to make ahead or freeze, this is the ultimate salmon recipe to keep in your back pocket.
You’ll love this easy and healthy dish that comes together in just 30 minutes with super simple steps.
Why you will love this salmon burger recipe
Fans of salmon will love this seafood take on traditional beef burgers. With a homemade chipotle lime sauce and your choice of your favorite toppings, this is the perfect way to quickly put together a satisfying and filling meal with very little cooking time.
- Easy to make. These salmon patties are so simple to make and cook up perfectly in the air fryer.
- Nutritious. Instead of ground beef, these burgers use salmon as a base for a protein and omega-3-filled meal!
- Customizable. You can easily serve these salmon burgers on your choice of bun with all of your favorite fix-ins for a dinner you’re sure to love.
Ingredients you will need
For the air fryer salmon cakes:
- Salmon: This super nutrient-dense fish acts as the perfect base for the burger patties with lots of omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins.
- Vegetables: A combination of shallots and red peppers add a pop of color and delicious flavors. If you have a different colored bell pepper on hand already, you can use it but I do prefer the sweetness of red pepper!
- Eggs: Act as a binding agent to keep the salmon patties together while they air fry.
- Bread crumbs: Another way to keep the patties together as they cook.
- Mustard: Provides a nice sharp and slightly bitter flavor.
- Mayo: To keep them from drying out, and also acts as a binding agent.
- Lemon juice: Pairs perfectly with the salmon and the savory veggies and sauces.
- Fresh dill: One of my favorite herbs, and also is commonly used as a companion with fish.
For the chipotle lime sauce:
- Greek yogurt: Creates a nice creamy base with the perfect amount of tang. You can use mayonnaise or sour cream for the base if you prefer.
- Chipotle pepper: Adds a nice amount of bold heat.
- Lime juice: Balances out the spice of the chipotle with some citrus acidity.
- Seasonings: I add garlic powder, tajin, and salt to taste.
- White vinegar: For an added punch of slightly sour and acidic flavor.
What kind of salmon should I buy?
Atlantic Salmon: This is a commonly found and affordable salmon. It tends to be a bit fattier so it gives your salmon burgers more flavor and moisture. This is what I usually use for this recipe!
King Salmon: On the more expensive side, if you’re looking to splurge for something extra tasty this is the option that will result in the best flavor.
Sockeye Salmon: A slightly learner option, sockeye salmon is around the same price point as Atlantic salmon. It’s not my favorite for salmon burgers because they can dry out easily, but if you prefer a leaner, crispier patty, you will like it!
Coho Salmon: Similar to sockeye but with a more delicate texture and milder flavor.
Canned Salmon: Looking to stay in your budget? Canned salmon is the more affordable on this list and will also work perfectly as a base for the patties.
Tip: make this a pantry staple recipe by pairing down the fresh ingredients and just using canned salmon, a jar of roasted red peppers, and a dash of onion powder and garlic powder. It’s a great recipe to keep on hand when you’re in a pinch!
How to buy salmon
If you live close to the coast, the best place to buy salmon will be a local fish market. Your local grocery store is another good option regardless of your location. They’ll know how to keep salmon fresh regardless of how far they are from the sea.
When choosing salmon, look for a piece that has a moist appearance as opposed to dry. Avoid fish that seems at all dried out, or has a particularly fishy smell or any dark blemishes.
For fresh farmed salmon the coloration should be lighter pink, whereas wild-caught salmon will be a darker pink.
How to make salmon burgers
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and grease the basket. Air fry the salmon filets for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees (use a meat thermometer or other kind of instant-read thermometer to check).
- Make the salmon patties. Combine shredded cooked salmon with shallot, peppers, eggs, breadcrumbs, mustard, mayo, lemon juice, dill, salt and black pepper. Separate the salmon mixture into 6 even portions and flatten into patty shapes.
- Cook the salmon burgers. Grease the air fryer again and arrange the salmon patties in the basket, sure to leave space between them. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until each salmon patty is golden brown around the edges.
- Make the chipotle lime sauce. While the salmon cooks, combine Greek yogurt with chipotle, lime juice, garlic powder, tajin, white vinegar, and salt to taste.
- Assemble the burgers. Spread some sauce on both sides of each burger bun, then add the cooked salmon patties and your choice of toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, or red onion.
Why did my salmon burgers fall apart?
Too much moisture can lead to your salmon patties not staying together in the air fryer. Add more breadcrumbs to compensate for too much moisture.
On the other hand, if they’re too dry, they can also end up crumbly. Use some extra mayo and/or mustard if the mixture is too dry.
Storing and reheating
To store leftover salmon patties, keep the patties in an airtight container in the fridge. Store the sauce in a separate container, also in the fridge. They should last 2 to 3 days.
You can also keep the patties in the freezer for months at a time. Wrap them in plastic wrap or use some parchment paper to prevent them form sticking together.
How to cook frozen salmon burgers in an air fryer
Reheat air fryer salmon patties right from frozen by air frying at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or so. They may need a couple of extra minutes, so be sure they’re warmed all the way through.
More air fryer seafood recipes
- Air Fryer Sea Bass
- Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Air Fryer Miso Salmon Bites
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Air Fryer Salmon Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
Salmon burgers
- 1.5 lbs salmon
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1.5 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill minced
Chipotle Lime Sauce
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce finely minced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp tajin
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp water
- salt to taste
For serving
- Brioche buns
- lettuce/microgreens
- thinly sliced avocado
- thinly sliced red onion
Additional optional toppings
- crisp lettuce leaves
- sliced tomatoes
- pickled jalapeños
- sprouts or microgreens
- sliced cucumber
- crumbled feta or cotija cheese
- bacon strips
- sliced mango or pineapple
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F and lightly grease the basket.
- Place the salmon filet in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the internal temperature has reached 145F. Once the salmon is cooked, transfer it to a plate and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before shredding it in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the shallot, red pepper, egg, breadcrumbs, dijon mustard, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper to the mixing bowl with the shredded salmon and mix until all ingredients are combined.To make the salmon burgers, scoop out 1/2 cup of the mixture into patties on to a plate and press down gently with the back of a spatula or the palm of your hand to flatten the salmon patties.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket again if necessary and place the salmon patties in a single layer in the basket with about 1/2 inch of space in between them. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to work in batches. Air fry the salmon burgers for 8-10 minutes or until the edges begin to char and the salmon burgers are warmed all the way through.
- While the salmon patties cook, combine the Greek yogurt, minced chipotle pepper, lime juice, garlic powder, tajin, white vinegar, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
- Assemble the burgers by spreading a generous layer of the chipotle sauce inside the bottom and top half of each brioche bun. Add the lettuce, then a salmon patty, and top with avocado and thinly sliced red onion. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
These air fryer burgers were so tasty! This was my first time trying to make salmon burgers and they were so easy to make, too!
What a marvelous looking and sounding salmon burger. I love that this recipe calls for fresh salmon and not a can. I am looking forward to making these for my family.
Obsessed with these salmon burgers! So easy to make when I need a quick meal on weeknights and don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen 🙂
This is such a great weeknight recipe! And the chipotle lime yogurt sauce that goes on top–I could eat that all by itself!
We made these burgers for dinner last night and they were delicious! My new favorite way to make salmon!