Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe
Introduction
These Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a delicious and healthier twist on a classic favorite. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they make for a perfect snack or light meal. Pair them with a spicy sriracha mayo for an extra flavor boost.
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon filet (skin removed)
- 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
- 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 to remove excess moisture.
- Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning.
- Step 3: In a separate dish, whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth.
- Step 4: In a third dish, mix the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Step 5: Coat each piece of salmon by first dipping it into the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and finally the bread crumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the crumbs stick.
- Step 6: Lightly oil the air fryer basket with a spritz or brush of oil, then arrange the coated salmon nuggets in a single layer. Spritz the tops of the nuggets with oil to help them crisp up.
- Step 7: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-9 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through cooking and spritzing again with oil.
- Step 8: While the nuggets cook, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha to create a flavorful dipping sauce.
- Step 9: Once cooked, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve immediately with the sriracha mayo.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, use all panko bread crumbs instead of a mix of panko and regular crumbs.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the mayo to control the spice level to your preference.
- Try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the nuggets just before serving for a bright, fresh flavor.
- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, substitute with a mix of paprika, celery salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Storage
Store any leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to fully thaw and pat the salmon dry before chopping and coating to ensure the breading sticks properly.
What can I serve with Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets?
These nuggets are great on their own with the dipping sauce, or served alongside a fresh salad, steamed veggies, or rice for a complete meal.
PrintAir Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets that are lightly breaded and perfectly cooked to golden perfection. These bite-sized salmon pieces are seasoned with Old Bay and a blend of spices, then air fried for a healthy and delicious snack or appetizer. Served with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce and garnished with fresh dill, these nuggets are easy to prepare and packed with protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Salmon Nuggets
- 1 pound salmon filet (skin removed)
- 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
Dipping Sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (more to taste)
- Fresh dill (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Chop the salmon into 1-inch chunks and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better breading adherence.
- Make the flour mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning, mixing well.
- Whisk the egg wash: In a second shallow dish, add the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water, then whisk together until smooth.
- Prepare the breadcrumb mixture: In a third dish, combine the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, stirring until evenly mixed.
- Bread the salmon: Coat each salmon piece first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
- Preheat and prepare the air fryer: Lightly spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking, and arrange the breaded salmon nuggets in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Air fry the salmon nuggets: Spritz the nuggets liberally with oil. Cook at 400°F (204°C) for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time and spritzing again with oil to achieve an even, crispy coating.
- Make the dipping sauce: While the salmon cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha until smooth and well combined, adjusting the heat level to your preference.
- Serve: Once cooked, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve immediately with the spicy mayo dipping sauce.
Notes
- To keep the nuggets crispy, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour and bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Adjust the sriracha quantity in the dipping sauce to control the spiciness level.
- Leftover nuggets can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer for best texture.
- Fresh dill garnish adds a bright, herbal note but can be omitted or substituted with parsley if preferred.
Keywords: salmon nuggets, air fryer salmon, healthy salmon recipe, crispy salmon bites, seafood appetizer, easy air fryer recipes, sriracha mayo dip
