Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe
Introduction
Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a quick and delicious way to enjoy tender, flavorful salmon with a crispy coating. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these nuggets come with a spicy mayo dip that adds a creamy kick.
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 bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Step 5: Coat each salmon piece first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally coat with the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Step 6: Lightly oil the air fryer basket and arrange salmon nuggets in a single layer. Spritz the nuggets with oil.
- Step 7: Air fry at 400°F for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through and spritzing again with oil.
- Step 8: While cooking, whisk together mayonnaise and sriracha to make the dipping sauce.
- Step 9: Garnish the cooked salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve with the spicy mayo dip.
Tips & Variations
- Use gluten-free bread crumbs and flour to make this recipe gluten-free without sacrificing crunch.
- Adjust the sriracha in the dipping sauce to make it milder or spicier according to your preference.
- For extra crispiness, let the coated nuggets rest for 10 minutes before air frying to help the breading set.
Storage
Store leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to maintain crispness. Prepare the dipping sauce fresh or keep it refrigerated separately for up to 3 days.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed salmon for even cooking and better texture. If using frozen, make sure it is completely thawed and patted dry before coating.
What can I substitute for Old Bay seasoning?
You can use a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne to mimic Old Bay’s flavor if you don’t have it on hand.
PrintAir Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe
These Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a crispy, flavorful snack or appetizer made by coating tender salmon chunks in seasoned breading and air frying them to perfection. Served with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce and garnished with fresh dill, they offer a delicious and healthier way to enjoy seafood with minimal oil and maximum crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: Serves 3-4 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)
Garnish
- Fresh dill (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Chop the salmon into 1 inch chunks. Pat each piece dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Mix the Flour Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning and stir well.
- Whisk the Eggs: In a second shallow dish, whisk together the 2 large eggs and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In a third dish, mix the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt thoroughly.
- Coat the Salmon: Dredge each salmon chunk first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere well.
- Preheat and Oil Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Salmon Nuggets: Place the coated salmon chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spritz the top of the salmon nuggets liberally with oil to help achieve crispiness.
- Air Fry: Cook at 400°F (205°C) for 8 to 9 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through cooking and spritzing again with oil to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: While the salmon cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust sriracha quantity to taste for desired spice level.
- Serve: Once cooked, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill for garnish and serve immediately with the sriracha mayo dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the salmon dry before coating to help the breading stick properly.
- Using a combination of panko and regular bread crumbs adds extra crunch and texture.
- Spritzing the nuggets and basket with oil encourages a golden and crispy finish without deep frying.
- You can adjust the spice level of the dipping sauce by adding more or less sriracha according to your taste.
- Cook in a single layer to ensure even cooking; work in batches if necessary depending on your air fryer size.
Keywords: Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets, crispy salmon bites, seafood appetizer, healthy fish nuggets, sriracha mayo dipping sauce, easy air fryer recipe
