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A stack of four golden-brown air fryer salmon croquettes speckled with diced red peppers and green onions, topped with a dollop of creamy sauce and fresh parsley, served on a white plate with a side ramekin of dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Salmon Croquettes

Air Fryer Salmon Croquettes are my go-to when I want a wholesome, flavorful dinner that comes together fast. Each patty is golden and crispy on the outside, tender and flaky inside, and packed with colorful bell peppers, fresh cilantro, and well-seasoned salmon all the way through. The air fryer gets them perfectly crisp without the mess of pan frying. I make them for weeknight dinners and meal prep because they reheat beautifully and pair well with almost anything. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Course: Main Course
Keyword: Air Fryer Salmon Croquettes
Servings: 6
Calories: 269kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces fresh salmon cooked and flaked
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • ½ green bell pepper finely chopped
  • ½ red bell pepper finely chopped
  • 2–3 tablespoons avocado oil or vegetable oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • In a separate bowl, combine flaked salmon, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, cilantro, chopped bell peppers, and egg. Mix until well combined.
    16 ounces fresh salmon, 1 large egg, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, ½ green bell pepper, ½ red bell pepper
  • Gently fold the salmon mixture into the dry ingredients. If the mixture feels too soft, add a little more breadcrumbs. Cover and chill for 15–20 minutes to help it firm up.
  • Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  • Shape chilled mixture into patties or balls and lightly spray with oil.
    2–3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • Arrange in a single layer in the basket (do not overcrowd).
  • Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and heated through.
  • Enjoy warm with tartar sauce, lemon aioli, or spicy sriracha mayo.

Notes

Here are a few tips I've picked up from making these Air Fryer Salmon Croquettes more times than I can count.
  • Use freshly cooked salmon: Flaked salmon gives the best texture and flavor. Canned salmon can work in a pinch, but fresh really makes a difference in the final result.
  • Chop the peppers finely: The finer you chop the bell peppers, the better the mixture holds together. Large chunks can cause the croquettes to fall apart when shaping or flipping.
  • Don't skip the chill time: Refrigerating the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes before shaping is key to getting croquettes that hold their form in the air fryer. If the mixture still feels too soft after chilling, add breadcrumbs one tablespoon at a time.
  • Spray evenly with oil: A light, even coat of avocado oil or vegetable oil on each croquette is what gives you that golden, crispy exterior. Make sure you spray all sides before placing them in the basket.
  • Don't overcrowd the basket: Cook the croquettes in a single layer, leaving space between each so the hot air can circulate properly. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping, and you'll lose that crunch.
  • Flash-freeze for easy storage: If you're freezing a batch, place the cooled croquettes on a flat baking sheet and freeze for about an hour before transferring to a freezer bag or container. This keeps them from sticking together and makes it easy to grab just a few at a time.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 371mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 471IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
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