Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Make Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning evenly to create the initial coating for the salmon pieces.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
