Air 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
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)
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
