These gluten-free Air Fryer Salmon Cakes are made in the air fryer so they’re juicy and crispy without all the oil! A healthy, gluten/grain/dairy/sugar-free meal!
I literally have been so pumped to share these little crispy coconut cakes of salmon BLISS with you for EVER.
Partially because they are so fancy and ON TREND, just like the crispy air fried fish, with the “being cooked in the air fryer situation” at hand. But also ‘cause they are packin’ some MAJOR delicious spicy-sweet flavor and seriously juicy yumminess.
With a MEGA DOSE of heart-and-brain-healthy fats to nourish you from the INSIDE OUT. These little low-carb whole30 paleo salmon patties of LOVE are doing it ALL.
Why you will LOVE This Recipe
If you are in the mood for a fun, tasty recipe that says GOODBYE to boring mealtimes, then I think I have the perfect one for you today! If you approve of our baked salmon with asian cilantro pesto, then you will love this spin we put on air fryer salmon: please give a warm welcome to salmon patties in the air fryer! This recipe combines healthy, simple ingredients with salmon to make the most tender, flavor-packed patties that the whole family will love! They are a fantastic way to get your omega 3s, iron and protein, too, so there’s nothing not to love!
Is Salmon Good for You?
Yes, salmon is a very healthy food. As I mentioned earlier, it is an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. It brings to the table a number of health benefits: supporting heart health, reducing inflammation, and improving brain function. It is also low in calories, which makes it a good option for those on a diet.
Ingredients
Salmon on its own is flaky, tender, and doesn’t need a whole lot to make it amazing. To make these salmon patties in the air fryer, I combined some ingredients I already had kicking around my kitchen with salmon and the results were incredible. Here is everything you will need to make this recipe:
- fresh Atlantic salmon side
- avocado
- cilantro
- yellow curry powder
- stonemill sea salt grinder
- tapioca starch
- organic cage-free brown eggs
- organic coconut flakes
- organic coconut oil
- organic spinach and arugula mix
How to make Air Fryer Salmon Cakes
Mix
Remove the skin from the salmon and dice the flesh, removing the skin. Place it in a large bowl along with the avocado, cilantro, curry powder, and sea salt and stir to combine. Add in the starch and stir it in as well.
Form
Using your hands, form the salmon mixture into patties and place them on a cookie sheet. Place the pan in the freezer for a bit so that they firm up.
Prepare
Preheat your air fryer and rub the basket with oil. In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs. In a separate dish, add the remaining tapioca starch. In a third dish, add the coconut flakes and set aside. Once the cakes have frozen, remove them and coat each one first in the starch, then in the egg, then press it into the coconut flakes. Repeat with all patties.
Cook
Place the cakes in the air fryer and brush the tops with coconut oil. Cook until the outsides are golden brown and the insides are tender and juicy. While they are cooking, add the coconut oil and a pinch of salt to a pan and cook the greens until they just begin to wilt.
Serve
Divide the greens between plates and top them with the finished patties. Garnish with extra cilantro and DEVOUR!
Top Tips for making Air Fryer Salmon Patties
- Don’t skip the oil: It is important to rub the air fryer basket with oil, as the salmon patties do stick to it!
- Use a high heat: I recommend using high heat to cook your cakes because cooking them at a low heat could cause them to dry out.
- Preheat your Air Fryer: While the patties freeze, preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 10 minutes.
- Watch the time: Cooking times for salmon cakes in an air fryer can vary due to their thickness. In general, they should take about 15 minutes at 400 F.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each patty space to cook so that the fish can all do so evenly in the air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
This salmon patty recipe is delicious all on its own, but if you want to make it go further by adding some side dishes, go for it! Oven balsamic roasted brussels sprouts would be delicious alongside the salmon patties, and crispy baked sweet potato fries would also be a fun addition to your plate!
How to Store and Meal Prep
You can cook these salmon cakes a number of different ways if you’re making them for meal prep throughout the week. First, you can keep the raw patties in an airtight container in the fridge, then cook them whenever you want them. If you wanted to keep them longer, you can do so by first freezing them solid on a pan, then transferring them to a Ziploc freezer bag. They will last for up to 3 months in the freezer, and then you can thaw and cook them according to instructions when you are ready to enjoy them!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Fresh Atlantic Salmon Side (half a side)
- 1/4 Cup Avocado, mashed
- 1/4 Cup Cilantro, diced + additional for garnish
- 1 1/2 tsp Yellow curry powder
- 1/2 tsp Stonemill Sea Salt Grinder
- 1/4 Cup + 4 tsp Tapioca Starch, divided (40g) *Read notes for lower carb version
- 2 Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Organic Coconut Flakes (30g)
- Organic Coconut Oil, melted (for brushing)
For the greens:
- 2 tsp Organic Coconut Oil, melted
- 6 Cups Organic Arugula & Spinach Mix, tightly packed
- Pinch of Stonemill Sea Salt Grinder
Instructions
- Remove the skin from the salmon, dice the flesh, and add it into a large bowl.
- Add in the avocado, cilantro, curry powder, sea salt and stir until well mixed. Then, stir in 4 tsp of the tapioca starch until well incorporated.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form the salmon into 8, 1/4 cup-sized patties, just over 1/2 inch thick, and place them onto the pan. Freeze for 20 minutes so they are easier to work with.
- While the patties freeze, pre-heat your Air Fryer to 400 degrees for 10 minutes, rubbing the basket with coconut oil. Additionally, whisk the eggs and place them into a shallow plate. Place the remaining 1/4 cup of Tapioca starch and the coconut flakes in separate shallow plates as well.
- Once the patties have chilled, dip one into the tapioca starch, making sure it’s fully covered. Then, dip it into the egg, covering it entirely, and gently brushing off any excess. Finally, press just the top and sides of the cake into the coconut flakes and place it, coconut flake-side up, into the air fryer. Repeat with all cakes. **
- Gently brush the tops with a little bit of melted coconut oil (optional, but recommended) and cook until the outside is golden brown and crispy, and the inside is juicy and tender, about 15 minutes. Note: the patties will stick to the Air Fryer basked a little, so use a sharp-edged spatula to remove them.
- When the cakes have about 5 minutes left to cook, heat the coconut oil up in a large pan on medium heat. Add in the Arugula and Spinach Mix, and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring constantly, until the greens JUST begin to wilt, only 30 seconds – 1 minute.
- Divide the greens between 4 plates, followed by the salmon cakes. Garnish with extra cilantro and DEVOUR!
If you want to bake in the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, placing a cooling rack on top of the pan. Rub the cooling rack with coconut oil.
- Place the patties, coconut-side up, onto the cooling rack and bake for 15-17 minutes until crispy. NOTE: we liked these better in the air fryer, as they do get a little crispier, but they are still good in the oven!
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: FREESTYLE POINTS: 5 POINTS+:13 . OLD POINTS: 12
(per 2 patties 1/4 of the arugula/spinach)
Morgan @Just What We Eat says
My husband has been begging me to try a salmon cake recipe lately and these look AMAZING! I’ve been on the fence about getting an air fryer as well, but these might just push me over the fence. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Taylor Kiser says
Oh my gosh you need one. Mine LIVES on the counter because I use it every single day!!
Marcela says
Absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Taylor Kiser says
Yay! I’m so glad you liked them!
Deepika says
This crispy low carb whole30 paleo salmon cakes recipe is something different and easy to make. Your presentation in pictures making it more mouthwatering. I am surely going to try this crispy low carb whole30 paleo salmon cakes.
Sasha @ Just Coffee Maker says
Can these also be made with canned salmon if fresh is unavailable?
Taylor Kiser says
I really wouldn’t recommend it! Sorry!
Sabonete Artesanal says
its impossible not to like all of these recipes! This article is amazing!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you!
Brenda says
If I but skinless salmon, how much should I buy? what is the weight of skin on 1 lb. side?
Taylor Kiser says
I can’t tell you as I haven’t weighed just salmon skin – hope you understand. I would assume it would be close!
Hillary says
I’m confused. So did you use 1/2 pound of salmon or 1 pound?
Taylor Kiser says
1 Lb which equals half a side of salmon.
Leo s. says
Help. Is this raw salmon or cooked?
Foodfaithfitness says
Hi Leo, you need to put raw salmon. It will cook in the air fryer.
Liza Roy says
Hi,
Thanks for sharing complete method!
it looks yummy!
Taylor Kiser says
Hope you love!