Introduction

These Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a quick, tasty way to enjoy salmon in a crispy, bite-sized form. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish, they pair wonderfully with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 pound salmon filet (skin removed)
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
2 large eggs
½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup regular bread crumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sriracha (more to taste)
Fresh dill (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Chop the salmon into 1-inch chunks and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning.
Step 3: In a second dish, whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water.
Step 4: In a third dish, mix the panko, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Step 5: Coat each salmon piece first in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the bread crumbs, ensuring the crumbs stick well.
Step 6: Lightly oil the air fryer basket and arrange the salmon nuggets in a single layer. Spritz the nuggets with oil liberally.
Step 7: Air fry at 400°F for 8–9 minutes, flipping halfway through and spritzing again with oil.
Step 8: While the salmon cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha to prepare the dipping sauce.
Step 9: Garnish the cooked nuggets with fresh dill and serve with the spicy mayo sauce.

Tips & Variations

Use skin-on salmon and remove the skin after cooking for easier handling and a more moist result.
Adjust the sriracha to your preferred spice level for the dipping sauce.
For extra crispiness, double coat the nuggets by repeating the egg and bread crumb steps.
Serve with lemon wedges for a fresh, zesty touch.

Storage

Store leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3–4 minutes until warmed and crispy. Avoid microwaving to keep the coating crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before chopping and breading to ensure the coating sticks properly.

What can I use instead of Old Bay seasoning?

You can substitute Old Bay with a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne for a similar flavor profile.

Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets Recipe

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4.8 from 558 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets coated with a blend of panko and regular bread crumbs, seasoned with Old Bay, garlic, and onion powders. These bite-sized salmon pieces are air fried to perfection for a healthy and delicious snack or appetizer, served with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce and fresh dill garnish.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon Nuggets

1 pound salmon filet (skin removed), chopped into 1 inch chunks
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup regular bread crumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
Oil spray or brushing oil for air fryer basket and salmon

Sriracha Mayo Dipping Sauce

⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
Fresh dill for garnish

Instructions

Prepare Salmon: Chop the salmon into 1 inch chunks and pat dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, ensuring better coating adherence.
Mix Flour Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasoning.
Prepare Egg Wash: In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the two eggs and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth and uniform.
Mix Bread Crumb Coating: In a third dish, combine the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Stir to blend all ingredients evenly.
Coat Salmon Chunks: Dip each salmon piece first into the flour mixture, coating all sides, then into the egg wash, and finally roll thoroughly in the bread crumb mixture to ensure full coverage.
Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated salmon nuggets in a single layer, leaving space between pieces for even cooking. Spray the top of the nuggets liberally with oil.
Air Fry Salmon: Cook at 400°F (204°C) for 8-9 minutes. At the halfway mark, flip the nuggets carefully and spritz them again with oil for extra crispiness.
Make Dipping Sauce: While air frying, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha until smooth. Adjust sriracha quantity to your desired level of spiciness.
Serve: Once cooked to golden crispiness, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve immediately with the prepared sriracha mayo dipping sauce.

Notes

Patting the salmon dry before coating helps the breading stick better and crisps up nicely in the air fryer.
Use fresh salmon for the best texture and flavor, and remove skin before chopping.
Adjust sriracha in the dipping sauce according to your preferred spice level.
You can substitute Old Bay seasoning with other seafood or Cajun seasonings depending on taste preferences.
If your air fryer basket is small, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, ensuring even crisping.
For gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and bread crumbs instead.

Keywords: air fryer salmon nuggets, crispy salmon bites, healthy salmon appetizer, sriracha mayo dipping sauce, quick air fryer recipes