Air Fryer Salmon Burgers (with frozen salmon)

I'm always trying to come up with healthier, quicker, and lighter alternatives for dinner. Frozen salmon is one of my favorite things to cook because it's economical, quick to make, and tastes delicious! Baking frozen salmon fillets for healthy Air Fryer Salmon Burgers is a simple way to enjoy them.

Made with frozen salmon fillets, a spicy mayo, and skinny coleslaw, these salmon burgers are also Weight Watchers friendly, kid-friendly and make a great lunch or dinner!

Kids, including my own, don't always love fish. However, this is a great burger with fish for kids. My kids love this flavorful sandwich and actually get excited when they find out these healthy salmon burgers are on deck for dinner!

🥘 Ingredients

Although these homemade salmon burgers are made with a fillet and not a salmon patty, I still consider it a burger because it's a savory thing between a bun. The best part is that it's really simple: you just bake the salmon in the oven (or in the air fryer) with some soy sauce, ginger and sesame seeds, then add sriracha mayonnaise as a condiment.

But the crowning glory is my Skinny Coleslaw! You can use any coleslaw, but trust me, you'll want to use this one. I created this coleslaw specifically for this salmon burger, so they are a perfect pairing! And it's ZERO (0 points) on the WW blue plan!

For this salmon fillet burger recipe, you'll need a few simple ingredients:

• frozen salmon fillets (preferably skinless salmon fillets)
• soy sauce
• fresh ginger
• sesame seeds
• thin buns
• sriracha mayonnaise (see Top Tip)
• Skinny Coleslaw recipe

See recipe card for quantities.

🔪Instructions

Air fryer method: Place in air fryer basket or drawers.

Divide soya sauce, ginger and sesame seeds between all 4 salmon fillets *Do not thaw salmon

Cooking time:

Cook from frozen in air fryer on 400 degrees F (or 205 degrees C) for 15-17 minutes (the smaller pieces will be ready at 15 minutes).

*This may vary with different air fryers. I have a Ninja Foodi 2 drawer 8 qt.

Alternatively, if you don't have an air fryer, you can make these in the oven.

Oven method: Preheat oven as per frozen salmon package directions (usually 400 degrees - 450 degrees F/205 degrees C) and spray 9x13 baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. *Do not thaw salmon

Divide soya sauce, ginger and sesame seeds between all 4 salmon fillets and bake as per directions on package (usually about 15 minutes)

For the best flavor, spread ¾ tablespoon of sriracha mayonnaise on each bun.

Remove skin (if present) and add cooked salmon fillet to one side of the bun, then top with ¼ cup coleslaw.

 📖 Variations & Substitutions

• Salmon: You can bake, fry on the stove top or use the air fryer for this salmon burger. You can also grill the frozen salmon (just follow the package directions for grilling).  Or you can use fresh salmon fillets instead of frozen salmon, if you prefer. You will just need to cook it for a shorter period of time.
• Buns: I also like to use the President's Choice thin multigrain buns, but they are a few more WW points, so you can use any bun you prefer. 
• Sauce: If you don't like or want spicy mayo, you could use a Healthy homemade tartar sauce with fresh dill, if you prefer, or a store-bought tartar sauce. Or you could use a dijon mustard burger sauce.
• Add-ons: add on red onion (there is green onion in the coleslaw) jalapenos, tomatoes, pepperoncini, a lettuce leaf or any of your favorite toppings!
• Limes: you could substitute lemon juice for the lime and lemon wedges for the lime wedges

💭Top Tip

• According to the FDA: salmon is considered cooked when the thickest part reaches 145 degrees F/62 degrees C. This will give you very, very firm and verging on dry, salmon.
• According to Cook’s Illustrated: 125 degrees F/151 degrees F is the preferred temperature for farmed salmon if you like your salmon to be mostly firm with a fair amount of silkiness. Wild salmon should be cooked to just 120 degrees F/48 degrees c, as it is leaner and more prone to drying out.
• I tested this out with a store-bought (farmed) salmon and it was THE BEST salmon I have eaten - I cooked it to 125 degrees F/151 degrees C. For best results, I recommend this.

🥗 Pairing

What goes with salmon burgers in the air fryer?

🍽Equipment

You'll need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and an air fryer to make this frozen salmon burgers recipe. You will also need an instant-read thermometer. *See recipe card for recommended equipment photos and links.

🌡️Storage

Store the salmon, sriracha mayonnaise, and coleslaw separately, each in their own airtight container, for up to 2 days.

👪 Serving Size

This salmon fillet burger makes 4 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

🔢WW Points

These Weight Watchers Salmon Burgers are @ 4 WW points. You can further reduce the points by using a lighter bun and making your own sriracha mayonnaise.

Sriracha Mayonnaise: You can buy sriracha mayonnaise, but if you want it lighter/WW friendly, you need to combine mayonnaise (3 tablespoon light/low-fat mayonnaise) with 2 teaspoon sriracha. Add more sriracha to your liking. 

🦺Food Safety

• Cook salmon to internal temperature of 125 degrees F (See Top Tip)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

❔ Frequently Asked Questions

So if you are looking for a quick, easy recipe, or healthy salmon recipes, these delicious Salmon Burgers are a great choice! 

And if you love salmon, check out my Salmon Patties with Creamy Ginger Lime Sauce, made with canned salmon!

Hungry for more recipes? CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL RECIPE MENU!

📋 Air Fryer Salmon Burger Recipe

These easy and healthy Air Fryer Salmon Burgers, made with frozen salmon fillets, ginger, soya sauce, sriracha mayonnaise are also Weight Watchers friendly!

5 from 7 votes

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Course: dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Keyword: burger, frozen salmon, salmon, salmon fillet

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 316kcal

Author: Terri Gilson

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

instant read thermometer

air fryer

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 salmon fillets frozen or fresh
• ▢ 2 tablespoon soya sauce
• ▢ 2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• ▢ 2 teaspoon sesame seeds
• ▢ 4 thin buns
• ▢ 3 tablespoon sriracha mayonnaise
• ▢ ¼ cup skinny coleslaw https://foodmeanderings.com/skinny-coleslaw/

Garnish

• ▢ lime wedge

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Air fryer:

  Place salmon in basket or drawers in single layer. Divide soya sauce, ginger and sesame seeds between all 4 salmon fillets *Do not thaw salmon

  Cook from frozen in air fryer on 400 degrees F (or 205 degrees C) for 15-17 minutes (the smaller pieces will be ready at 15 minutes). *This may vary with different air fryers. I have a Ninja Foodi 2 drawer 8 qt.
  
• Oven: Preheat oven as per frozen salmon package directions (usually 400 degrees - 450 degrees F) and spray 9x13 baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. *Do not thaw salmon
• Divide soya sauce, ginger and sesame seeds between all 4 salmon fillets and bake as per directions on package (usually about 15 minutes)
  
• Spread ¾ tablespoon of sriracha mayonnaise on each bun
• Remove skin and add cooked salmon fillet to one side of the bun, then top with ¼ cup coleslaw.
  
• Serve with a wedge of lime, if desired (I like to squirt a little lime juice over the fillet)

Notes

 

 

Nutrition Facts

📋 Air Fryer Salmon Burger Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 burger)

Calories 316 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 95mg32%

Sodium 714mg31%

Potassium 864mg25%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 36g72%

Vitamin A 75IU2%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 316kcal (16%) | Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) | Protein: 36g (72%) | Fat: 14g (22%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg (32%) | Sodium: 714mg (31%) | Potassium: 864mg (25%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 75IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 33mg (3%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)

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