Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe

Introduction

These Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a quick and delicious way to enjoy salmon with a crispy coating. Perfect as a snack or meal, they come with a spicy sriracha mayo dip that adds a flavorful 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

1. Step 1: Chop the salmon into 1-inch chunks and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning.
3. Step 3: In a second dish, whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water until blended.
4. Step 4: In a third dish, mix together the panko, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
5. Step 5: Coat each salmon piece first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg wash, and finally cover evenly with the bread crumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
6. Step 6: Lightly spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the coated salmon nuggets in a single layer and spritz them generously with oil.
7. Step 7: Air fry at 400°F for 8-9 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through and spritzing again with oil to ensure crispiness.
8. Step 8: While the salmon cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha to prepare the dipping sauce.
9. Step 9: Once cooked, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve immediately with the sriracha mayo dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the salmon chunks in a little lemon juice and garlic before coating.
• Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
• If you prefer milder heat, reduce the sriracha in the dipping sauce or replace it with a mild chili sauce.
• Spritzing the nuggets with oil helps get a crispy crust; don’t skip this step for the best texture.

Storage

Store leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to maintain crispiness. The dipping sauce is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to thaw the salmon completely and pat dry before chopping and coating to prevent sogginess.

Can I bake the salmon nuggets instead of air frying?

Absolutely. Bake the coated salmon nuggets on a greased baking sheet at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.

Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 93 reviews

These Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a crispy and flavorful seafood snack or appetizer, coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and air fried to perfection. Served with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce and garnished with fresh dill, they are an easy, healthier alternative to traditional fried fish nuggets.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings (about 8–10 nuggets per serving) 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Instructions

1. Prepare the Salmon: Chop the salmon filet into 1-inch chunks and pat them dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which helps the coatings adhere better.
2. Mix Flour and Seasoning: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning, mixing well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
3. Beat Eggs: In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the two eggs and 2 tablespoons of water until fully blended to create an egg wash.
4. Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In a third dish, combine panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, stirring to evenly blend all ingredients.
5. Coat the Salmon: Dip each salmon piece first into the flour mixture, coating all sides, then into the egg wash, and finally roll it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the coating sticks well.
6. Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated salmon nuggets in a single layer without overcrowding for even cooking.
7. Air Fry the Nuggets: Spritz the tops of the salmon nuggets liberally with oil. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 8-9 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through the cooking time and spritzing them again with oil to ensure crispiness.
8. Make the Dipping Sauce: While the salmon is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl to make a creamy, spicy dipping sauce.
9. Serve: After air frying, sprinkle fresh dill over the salmon nuggets for garnish. Serve immediately alongside the sriracha mayo dipping sauce.

Notes

• Patting the salmon dry before coating helps the breading stick better and prevents sogginess.
• Use a mix of panko and regular breadcrumbs for the perfect balance of crunch and texture.
• Sriracha quantity can be adjusted according to your desired spice level.
• Make sure to flip the nuggets halfway through cooking to get an even crisp all around.
• This recipe works best with fresh salmon but can be adapted for frozen salmon if fully thawed and patted dry.

Keywords: salmon nuggets, air fryer salmon, crispy salmon bites, seafood appetizer, sriracha mayo dipping sauce, easy air fryer recipe