Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Mix Flour and Seasoning: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning, mixing well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
