Air 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
Scale
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
