Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe
Introduction
These Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are a tasty and easy way to enjoy salmon in bite-sized pieces with a crispy coating. Perfect as a snack or a main dish, they come with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce 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
- Step 1: Chop the salmon into 1-inch chunks and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning.
- Step 3: In a second dish, whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water until combined.
- Step 4: In a third dish, mix the panko, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Step 5: Coat each salmon piece first in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs stick well.
- Step 6: Lightly oil the air fryer basket and arrange the salmon nuggets in a single layer. Spritz the nuggets with oil.
- Step 7: Air fry at 400°F for 8 to 9 minutes, flipping halfway through and spritzing again with oil to ensure crispiness.
- Step 8: While the salmon cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha to make a dipping sauce.
- Step 9: Sprinkle the cooked salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve with the sriracha mayo dipping sauce.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, freeze the breaded salmon nuggets for 15 minutes before air frying.
- Substitute Old Bay seasoning with smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Adjust the sriracha quantity in the dipping sauce to control the heat level.
- Serve with lemon wedges for a fresh, citrusy touch.
Storage
Store leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. The dipping sauce can be stored separately in the refrigerator 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, you can use frozen salmon, but be sure to thaw and pat it dry thoroughly before breading to ensure the coating sticks well.
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Absolutely. Bake the salmon nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
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Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 12-16 nuggets) 1x
Description
Delicious and crispy Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets are an easy-to-make, protein-packed snack or meal option. These bite-sized salmon pieces are coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, air fried to perfection, and served with a spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce. Perfectly golden, crunchy on the outside, and tender on the inside, they offer a healthier alternative to traditional fried seafood nuggets.
Ingredients
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 or brush oil for greasing
Dipping Sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (more to taste)
Garnish
- Fresh dill
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Chop the salmon into 1-inch chunks. Pat each piece dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture for better coating adherence.
- Mix the flour and seasoning: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning evenly.
- Prepare the egg wash: In a second shallow dish, whisk the two eggs together with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth and combined.
- Prepare the breadcrumb mixture: In a third shallow dish, mix together the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt ensuring even distribution.
- Coat the salmon chunks: Dredge each salmon piece first in the flour mixture, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs well.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the breaded salmon nuggets in a single layer without crowding.
- Air fry the nuggets: Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook the nuggets for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking and spritzing again with oil to enhance crispness and even browning.
- Make the dipping sauce: While the nuggets cook, whisk together mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the spice level by adding more sriracha if desired.
- Serve: Once cooked to golden crisp perfection, transfer the salmon nuggets to a serving plate, sprinkle with fresh dill for garnish, and serve alongside the spicy mayo dipping sauce.
Notes
- Make sure to pat dry the salmon well before breading to ensure the coating sticks properly.
- You can customize the spice level of the dipping sauce by varying the amount of sriracha used.
- For extra crispiness, you can double coat the salmon pieces by repeating the egg and breadcrumb step.
- Use skinless salmon filet to avoid uneven cooking or unwanted texture from the skin.
- These nuggets are best enjoyed immediately but can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer salmon nuggets, crispy salmon bites, healthy seafood snack, sriracha mayo dipping sauce, easy salmon recipe
