Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe

Introduction

These Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a crispy, flavorful twist on classic salmon that’s perfect for a quick snack or light meal. Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and cooked to golden perfection, they pair wonderfully with a spicy sriracha mayo dip.

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 together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth.
4. Step 4: In a third dish, mix the panko, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
5. Step 5: Coat each piece of salmon first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture to ensure they’re well coated.
6. Step 6: Lightly oil or spritz the air fryer basket, then arrange the salmon nuggets in a single layer. Spritz the tops of the nuggets with oil for crispiness.
7. Step 7: Air fry at 400°F for 8–9 minutes. Flip the nuggets halfway through cooking and spritz them with oil again for even browning.
8. Step 8: While cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha to create a spicy dipping sauce.
9. Step 9: Once cooked, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve immediately with the sriracha mayo.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, use all panko breadcrumbs instead of mixing regular breadcrumbs.
• Adjust the sriracha amount in the dipping sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
• You can swap Old Bay seasoning for your favorite seafood seasoning blend.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the nuggets in a preheated oven at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Storage

Store any leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or a conventional oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to maintain their crispiness. The dipping sauce can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before chopping and breading to ensure proper coating and cooking.

Is it necessary to use both panko and regular bread crumbs?

Using a mix adds texture contrast, but you can use all panko for a lighter, crunchier coating if you prefer.

Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 60 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets coated in seasoned breading and served with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce. These bite-sized salmon pieces are easy to prepare, air-fried to perfection, and make a perfect snack or appetizer.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings (about 12–16 nuggets) 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
• Oil spray for air frying

Dipping Sauce

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (more to taste)

Garnish

• Fresh dill

Instructions

1. Prepare Salmon: Chop the salmon filet into 1-inch chunks, then pat them dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture for better breading adhesion.
2. Make Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning evenly to create the initial coating for the salmon pieces.
3. Prepare Egg Wash: In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water until well blended to help the breading stick.
4. Make Breadcrumb Mixture: In a third shallow dish, stir together the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to season the crust.
5. Coat Salmon Chunks: Dredge each salmon piece first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
6. Prepare Air Fryer: Lightly spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the breaded salmon nuggets in a single layer without overcrowding for even crisping.
7. Air Fry Salmon: Spray the nuggets liberally with oil, then air fry at 400°F for 8 to 9 minutes. Flip the nuggets halfway through cooking and spritz again with oil to achieve a golden, crispy crust.
8. Make Dipping Sauce: While the nuggets are cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl until smooth and creamy, adjusting the heat to taste.
9. Serve: Once cooked, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill for a burst of herbal flavor and serve immediately with the sriracha mayo dipping sauce.

Notes

• Make sure the salmon chunks are dry before breading to ensure a crispy coating.
• You can adjust the level of spiciness in the dipping sauce by adding more or less sriracha.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for crispier results.
• Use either panko or regular bread crumbs or a mix for texture variety.
• Fresh dill adds a fresh herbal note, but you can substitute with parsley or chives if desired.
• The nuggets are best served immediately but can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.

Keywords: salmon nuggets, air fryer salmon, crispy salmon bites, seafood appetizers, sriracha mayo dipping sauce