This Air Fryer Fish Cakes recipe is easy and delicious. Classic potato and fish patties made with imitation crab meat and cooked to a golden brown.
If you love fried food, but not the mess and all the calories, air fried foods are the way to go.
Crispy and delicious air-fried crab and potato cakes. This recipe uses minimal oil, but produces crispy perfection with a golden brown finish. Restaurant quality made at home.
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. This simple crab cake recipe is a prime example.
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. Love sushi, but not all the work? This sushi salad is a must try.
Simple Fish Cakes Ingredients
- 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 cakes turned out golden brown and have a nice crunchy coating. Since they are cooked in the air fryer, no excessive 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 have fun creating lots of different seafood cakes. 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 imitation 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 is the difference 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.
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Air Fryer Fish and Potato Cakes
Ingredients
- 10 ounces mashed potatoes
- 10 ounces imitation crab meat (or fish of your choice)
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon 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!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I really need to get an air fryer because I see all of these amazing recipes! I love the addition of dijon and green onion in your recipe. The are great sharp flavors to compliment the fish!
Homemade & Yummy
I didn’t think I needed an air fryer either. Boy was I wrong…YOU NEED one!!
Marisa Franca Stewart
We love our fishcakes but don’t make them often enough. Perhaps it was the calories we wanted to cut out — regardless it’s been a while since we’ve had them. We eat LOTS of seafood and this is a great way to get a tasty fish dish without all the fat. we are seriously considering buying an air fryer just because we do like fried foods but not the grease. Panko crumbs are the greatest. We buy huge bags just because we like them so much. I’m copying your recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
Honestly, I did not think I needed an air fryer either. Hubby insisted that I did. Now I KNOW I do. The one we have is FANTASTIC. You can do so many things in it. I use it ALL the time.
Daniela
I love fish cakes and these ones look so easy to make! I would love to make them with some canned tuna and herbs. I don’t own an Air Fryer, so I would probably just lightly pan fry them until crispy and serve them with a simple slaw on top. Great recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
You can have a lot of fun with this recipe. Frying certainly is an option and would work just fine.
Julie Menghini
Those fish cakes are picture perfect! I agree that there are so many more ways to eat healthy today and I truly believe tastier ways to eat healthily. I haven’t invested in an air fryer yet but am amazed at the results you got with these fish cakes. They are perfect for fish Fridays or great appetizers for summer entertaining!
Homemade & Yummy
LOVE my air fryer. I keep telling hubby he made a great decision to get one for me.
Lois Christensen
My husband would love these! I have an air fryer and so far I’m loving it. Thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
Me too…air fryers really are great.
Tisha
I love the idea of using the airfryer for these. No grease!
Homemade & Yummy
ZERO grease…yet all the crunch!!
Elaine
I wish I had fish Fridays every day now becase these fish cakes cooked in the air fryer are incredible. And I would definitely try both cooked and raw fish to see which one I like more.
Homemade & Yummy
That would be a fun and tasty experiment for sure.
Noelle
I just got an air fryer so can not wait to try this! Thanks for the great share
Homemade & Yummy
You are going to have lots of delicious recipes to eat.
Bintu
These fish cakes look so delicious! What a tasty dish to make in the air fryer.
Homemade & Yummy
They are delicious…and healthy too. Love the no grease but all the flavour.
Taylor Kiser
These fish cakes look so delicious! So easy to make in the air fryer!
Homemade & Yummy
Super easy, cripsy and totally delicious. ENJOY!
Jolina
We always have fish on the regular too. Though it’s really limited to baked fish or steamed fish. This is a great alternative! Fish cakes would go great with salad or stir fried veggies.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they sure would. We totally enjoy them with a side salad.
Danielle Wolter
how can i still not have an air fryer???? these sound just incredible – love how easy they are and fish cakes=all the yumminess!
Homemade & Yummy
I didn’t think I needed one…but I am sure glad hubby insisted I get one.
Veena Azmanov
These Fish cakes look super delicious and healthy. The Air Fryer option is the best.
Homemade & Yummy
Crispy and delicious food without the guilt and grease.
Kelly Anthony
These fish cakes look like they have the perfect amount of crunch. I have never used an air fryer before but it looks like they cooked these fish cakes perfectly.
Homemade & Yummy
These are super delicious. I LOVE my air fryer.
Stine Mari
These fish cakes look so tasty. I love the flavorings you used, I’m guessing the Dijon mustard adds a wonderful zing to the dish. And panko is the best for crusts!
Homemade & Yummy
These are really good. They have quickly become a family favourite.