This Air Fryer Fish Cakes recipe is easy and delicious. Classic potato and fish patties made with crab and cooked to a golden brown.
If you love fried food, but not the mess and ALL the calories, air fryer recipes are fantastic.
Are you a fish lover? We prepare it a lot of different ways in our house. Fish and chips have always been a favourite. I even remember when it was wrapped in newspaper! That was to absorb all the grease.
Things have changed. Finding healthier ways to enjoy our favourite foods is the new norm. These healthy fish cakes are a prime example.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for these healthy fish cakes are at the bottom of this post.
There are so many great ways to create a spin on the fish and potato combination. Smoked Salmon Potato Appetizers are the perfect party dish. Guests go crazy for these.
Instead of the old standby, switch up your Friday with a Warm Potato Salad with Smoked Salmon. This is a GREAT dinner salad.
If soup is your thing, Slow Cooker Creamy Fish Soup will be a hit. The ultimate comfort food.
Or how about a delicious roasted tomato crab soup. The ultimate comfort food. Thick, hearty, and super easy recipe.
For Air Fried Fish And Potato Cakes You Will Need:
- fish (I used imitation crab because that is what I had in the house)
- potatoes
- egg
- Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
- green onions
- Panko breadcrumbs
- cooking spray
This healthy recipe was inspired by a blogger friend of mine. Mardi from Eat Live Travel Write has a great *(affiliate) cookbook to get kids involved in the kitchen.
I actually gave this cookbook (autographed of course) as a Christmas gift to a young lady. This aspiring cook was thrilled when she opened it. I combined it with some great things like a Madeleine pan, quiche pan, and cookie cutters. I have been told that next time we visit, I can expect to be eating some delicious Madeleines.
I did INDEED eat some beautiful Madeleines baked by Sophie. Her dad (and our very good friend) Tom has created a wonderful blog post entitled Little Cakes. It is a wonderful read that revolves around ART. I am so happy to be part of Sophie’s culinary creativity. I look forward to many more tasty creations.
As I flipped through my copy of the cookbook one afternoon, trying to decide what to make for dinner, I came across the recipe for Crunchy Fish Cakes. After looking to see which ingredients I had (and which ingredients I did not have), I was able to switch up a couple of things to make it work.
I decided to give these tasty fish patties a try in the air fryer instead of the frying pan. They turned out fantastic!
If you don’t already have an air fryer, I suggest you get one. There are lots of different brands on the market. I have a *(affiliate) Breville Smart Oven. Mine is like a mini oven. I use it all the time.
Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings are a must-try.
How To Make Fish Cakes In The Air Fryer
This recipe is super easy to make. These crab patties turned out golden brown and have a nice crunchy coating. Since they are cooked in the air fryer, no oil is needed.
- Cook the potatoes, mash and set aside.
- Pulse the fish in a food processor, along with the seasonings.
- Mix the potatoes and fish together.
- Form into fish patties and coat in Panko breadcrumbs.
- Place covered in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Spray with cooking spray.
- Cook in the air fryer.
- ENJOY!
What Kind Of Fish Patties Can You Make In The Air Fryer?
There is lots of wiggle room with this recipe. Every country has a variation. Mardi prepared her French fish cakes (croquettes de poisson) with white fish. I didn’t have any at the time. The imitation crab meat worked really well.
This is where you can really have fun. Here are a few great variations to try:
- fish balls
- salmon patties
- haddock cakes
- salmon croquettes
- codfish cakes
- mackerel cakes
- fish croquettes
- fish fritters
For this recipe, I used cooked crab. You certainly can use raw fish. In fact, Thai fish cakes and traditional crab cakes raw fish.
If you only have canned fish in the house, I would certainly give this easy recipe a try with canned tuna, canned salmon, or canned crab.
What the difference is between fish cakes and crab cakes?
It’s all about the potato. Crab cakes do not contain potatoes. Crab meat, eggs, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, and seasonings are the staples for a great crab cake.
How To Keep Fish Patties From Falling Apart
The key is to make sure you CHILL them for at least 30 minutes!
You can prepare these in the morning, and let them sit in the fridge till it is time to cook.
Alternatively, you can FREEZE the fish cakes and cook them from frozen. What a great way to have something ready to cook instead of getting takeout for dinner.
What To Serve With Air Fried Fish
This air fryer fish recipe makes a great appetizer. Just pair it with a dip or tartar sauce and eat! Mango Salsa would be a great choice.
They also make a great main dish for dinner too. Some great sides would be:
- Coleslaw
- Green Salad
- This fun Zoodle Salad would be a great side.
- Crisp and refreshing Cucumber Snap Pea Salad.
- Roasted Vegetables
- Spicy Fries are always a hit. Everyone loves fish and chips!
- If you are looking for another potato option, Cast Iron Potatoes would be fantastic.
- Baked Potatoes
- Thinking of a potato casserole? Give this Sweet Potato Au Gratin a try.
- Potatoes with Green Onion and Dill is a family recipe that has been passed down for generations.
Need more great air fryer recipes to try? Here are a few:
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Fish Cakes Recipe Air Fryer Method
Ingredients
- 10 ounces mashed potatoes
- 10 ounces imitation crab meat (or fish of your choice)
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoons grainy Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoons chopped green onion
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs (for coating)
- cooking spray
Instructions
To Make the Fish Cakes:
- Take about 2 large potatoes. Peel, cut and boil until tender. Once cooked, drain and mash (enough to make 10 ounces). Set aside.
- In a food processor combine the fish, salt, pepper, and egg. Pulse 3-4 times until smooth.
- Place the fish mixture, mashed potatoes, mustard and green onion in a large bowl. Combine with a rubber spatula.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish (with a rim).
- Divide the fish mixture into 6 portions.
- Form each portion into a patty. (Roll into a ball, and lightly press to form a thick patty).
- Coat each patty on all sides with the breadcrumbs.
- Place the patties on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill.
To Cook the Fish Cakes:
- Turn your air fryer on to 425º F.
- Remove the fish cakes from the fridge.
- Place them in the cooking basket of your air fryer. Depending on your model, you may have to cook these in 2 batches if they don’t all fit in the basket.
- Spray them lightly with cooking spray on both sides.
- Place in the air fryer and cook for 10-15 minutes (or until golden brown). I turned the patties over around the ½ way mark.
- Remove from air fryer when done.
- Place on a serving dish.
- ENJOY!
Gillian Didier Serre
I noticed you did not mention the grainy mustard in the preparation it was mentioned in the ingredients..wad this supposed to be an option?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
THANKS so much for bringing this to my attention. It certainly is part of the recipe, and I have fixed the instructions to reflect it. Just add it in with the rest of the ingredients.
Veena Azmanov
Delicious, crispy and yum. Awesome combination. My family to love it.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give them a try. I love my air fryer.
lauren
My mom just got an air fryer, I’m totally going over there to try this out! I can’t wait to see the difference between air frying and pan frying – she is a huge fan. This recipe is perfect for lent too, a great way to switch up fish on fridays!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
OMG I use my little air fryer oven ALL the time. More than my regular oven.
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
We love serving fish cakes at brunch, but I haven’t made them in such a long time. Thanks for reminding me how delicious they are! And I’m loving the air fryer method. Super crispy. I got an air fryer a few months ago and have been loving it. Need to cook fish cakes in it some time soon!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Seriously I LOVE my air fryer. So glad hubby insisted on getting me one.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
I’ve been on the fence about getting another appliance but these look amazing! You have me rethinking that maybe I should get one! These look delish!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I really don’t think you would regret it…especially if you got the Breville!!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
I’m headed to the store to make instant pot mashed potatoes for a cottage pie tomorrow and I’m going to make extra potatoes to have leftover for this on Wednesday. That’s one less meal idea I have to figure out! Plus, this will be perfect with asparagus that I need to use up, too.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…these are totally delicious and so easy to make.
Michelle
I really need to get an air fryer, I’m loving all these amazing recipes I’m seeing using it. These fishcakes look perfectly cooked, I’m loving all the options you have given too, great post!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I didn’t think I needed one either…but sure glad I got one.
Julie
I most definitely do not need another kitchen appliance, but these fish cakes are making me rethink this. They look delicious – maybe it’s time to get an air fryer!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I didn’t think I did either…but I am sure glad that hubby insisted I did. We totally LOVE IT!!
Veena Azmanov
Love the Air Fryer option to making these Fish cakes. Surely delicious and healthy too. Have to make some for my family.They are flavorful and surely perfect.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
We love these. Perfect for any night of the week.
Kate
The crispy coating on these looks fantastic! I also like how you listed all the different varieties you could make – I bet a smoked salmon cake would be really delicious too 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I know, I really have to try some of these options too. They all sound delicious.
Shannon
I took the leap a while back and bought an Instant Pot but I have yet to get an Air Fryer. Overtime I see an Air Fryer recipe though I am so tempted to go add to my kitchen appliance collection! I love any type of seafood cake so these look like they would be absolutely delish!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad we got the air fryer. We use it all the time.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
This is perfect! Can’t wait to try it with my air fryer!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Enjoy, these are easy to make and super delicious too.
Anne Lawton
I have new air fryer and I just love it. These fish cakes are so crispy and delicious, I can’t wait to make them again!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for letting me know.