Instead of making salmon burgers, I decided to change things up a bit with these air fryer salmon sliders. Soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls and a little heat from chipotle mayonnaise make the perfect handheld that you’ll want every week!
When you want a change from the classic burger but don’t want to sacrifice flavor, then these air fryer salmon sliders are the perfect choice.
Seasoned salmon filets cook perfectly in your air fryer, staying moist yet flaky, so they’re the perfect texture.
Pile them up on sweet Hawaiian slider rolls and top them with lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayonnaise for the perfect bite.
Make them an appetizer, as handhelds for your game day party or tailgate, or make them into an easy lunch or dinner when you pair with some sides. They’re delicious any way!
12-count King’s Hawaiian slider rolls (or similar brand)
24 ounces salmon, skin removed
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp lime-based seasoning (such as Blackstone tequila lime or a chili lime blend)
1 roma tomato, sliced
4 leaves iceberg lettuce
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tsp water
2 tsp Adobo sauce from canned chipotles
Pinch of salt
4 Tbsp butter, softened
½ tsp garlic salt
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Any brand of sweet Hawaiian slider rolls is perfectly fine
It doesn’t matter what type of salmon you use – Alaskan, Sockeye, and Atlantic are common options
If you don’t like the tequila lime seasoning, any lime-forward seasoning or seafood seasoning can be swapped in instead. If your blend does not contain salt, make sure to add about 1 tsp along with it
I like the roma tomato because its size fits on slider buns better, but you can cut up larger tomatoes as well
Iceberg lettuce gives a great crunch, but feel free to swap in romaine or green leaf lettuce here
For the chipotle mayonnaise, you can use premade chipotle mayonnaise if preferred. For more heat, add a chopped up chipotle as well in addition to the Adobo. You may also swap in sriracha instead of Adobo, or lime juice instead of the water
Variation: add some cooked slices of bacon for a salmon BLT slider!
How to Cook Salmon Sliders in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F
Cut your salmon into 12 relatively equal sized portions that will fit on the slider buns (approximately 2” square)
Toss the cut salmon pieces in the olive oil and tequila lime seasoning, mixing to coat thoroughly
Place the salmon in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 350°F, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F
While salmon is cooking, combine mayonnaise, chipotle Adobo sauce, 1 tsp water, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly, then set aside
Cut your lettuce and tomato into 12 even portions that will fit on the slider rolls, then set aside as well
Now, cut the slider rolls horizontally, so that you have a top and a bottom section
Spread half the butter on each cut side of the rolls, then sprinkle the garlic salt evenly over the butter
To toast the buns, you may: cook in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat until browned, place on baking sheet under the broiler of your oven until brown, or toast in the air fryer cut side up at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until browned (but you’ll have to wait for the salmon to come out)
Assemble the sliders: Spread the chipotle mayonnaise over the bottom buns. Top each slider with a piece of salmon, tomato, and lettuce. Add the top buns, and then pull apart or cut to form the slider rolls
Serve with fries or other sides as desired for a complete meal!
You don’t have to thaw salmon prior to air fryer. Simply add 3-5 more minutes to cooking time to account for the frozen state.
However, if you want to remove the skin prior to cooking, it will be much more difficult to do while frozen. In that case, you’re better off with fresh, defrosted, or pre-skinned fish.
How Many Minutes Do You Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer?
You cook salmon in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes generally, depending upon the size and thickness of your filets.
Smaller portions, such as chunks, may take less time.
How Do You Keep Salmon From Drying Out in the Air Fryer?
The best way to keep salmon from drying out in the air fryer is simply not to overcook it. Start with the lowest end of the cooking time, and add small increments until it is cooked.
You may also apply oil or sauces to the fish to help seal in moisture.
At What Temperature is Salmon Done in an Air Fryer?
Salmon is done in an air fryer when the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches 145°F.
If you don’t have a thermometer, push down on the center of the filet with a fork. If it flakes apart easily under gentle pressure, then it is done.
Will Salmon Stink Up My Air Fryer?
No, salmon will not stink up your air fryer. In fact, it generally produces less “fishy” smell than the stove, microwave, or oven.
That said, you should clean your air fryer after use, as drippings left in the basket can cause residual odors.
Recipe Expert Tips
Toasting your Hawaiian slider rolls is optional; the sliders are good on plain soft buns as well if you want to skip that process
You do not need to flip the salmon during cooking. It falls apart pretty easily so this helps it to maintain integrity while it cooks
My salmon was perfectly cooked after 12 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Your time may vary based on your specific air fryer and the thickness of your fish pieces
The more even that you cut your salmon the better, as varying thicknesses will result in thin pieces being dried out by the time thick sections are fully cooked
These air fryer salmon sliders are a delicious way to change things up and enjoy some tasty fish. Whether you’re serving them up for the game or having a fun dinner, these handhelds are sure to be a big splash!
Feel free to try out other flavor combinations with the seasonings and sauces to find your favorites. There are so many great ways to enjoy salmon, but these sliders are definitely one of my favorites.
If you love small sandwiches like this and want to try more, take a peek at some of my other best Air Fryer Sliders Recipesfor a whole assortment of delicious options!
Air Fryer Salmon Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls With Chipotle Mayonnaise
Air fryer salmon sliders are perfect as an appetizer, game day offering, or light meal. Sweet Hawaiian rolls and slightly spicy chipotle mayonnaise make the perfect complements!
12CountKing's Hawaiian slider rolls(or similar brand)
24Ouncessalmon(any variety)
1Tbspolive oil
1Tbsplime based seasoning(such as Blackstone tequila lime or a chili lime blend)
1Roma tomatosliced
4Leavesiceberg lettuce
¼Cupmayonnaise
2TspAdobo sauce from canned chipotles
1Tspwater
Pinchof salt
4Tbspbuttersoftened
½Tspgarlic salt
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F
Cut your salmon into 12 relatively equal sized portions that will fit on the slider buns (approximately 2” square)
24 Ounces salmon
Toss the cut salmon pieces in the olive oil and lime seasoning, mixing to coat thoroughly
1 Tbsp lime based seasoning, 1 Tbsp olive oil
Place the salmon in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook salmon on the air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 350°F, or until the internal temperature at the thickest point reaches at least 145°F
While salmon is cooking, combine mayonnaise, chipotle Adobo sauce, 1 tsp water, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly, then set aside
¼ Cup mayonnaise, 2 Tsp Adobo sauce from canned chipotles, 1 Tsp water, Pinch of salt
Cut your lettuce and tomato into 12 even portions that will fit on the slider rolls, then set aside as well
1 Roma tomato, 4 Leaves iceberg lettuce
Now, cut the slider rolls horizontally, so that you have a top and a bottom section
12 Count King's Hawaiian slider rolls
Spread half the butter on each cut side of the rolls, then sprinkle the garlic salt evenly over the butter
4 Tbsp butter, ½ Tsp garlic salt
To toast the buns, you may: cook in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat until browned, place on baking sheet under the broiler of your oven until brown, or toast in the air fryer cut side up at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until browned (but you’ll have to wait for the salmon to come out)
Assemble the sliders: Spread the chipotle mayonnaise over the bottom buns. Top each slider with a piece of salmon, tomato, and lettuce. Add the top buns, and then pull apart or cut to form the slider rolls (I pull apart as I find it to be easier)
Serve with fries or other sides as desired for a complete meal!
Notes
Any lime-forward seasoning or seafood seasoning can be swapped in instead. If your blend does not contain salt, make sure to add about 1 tsp along with it
I like the roma tomato because its size fits on slider buns better, but you can cut up larger tomatoes as well
Iceberg lettuce gives a great crunch, but feel free to swap in romaine or green leaf lettuce here
For the chipotle mayonnaise, you can use premade chipotle mayonnaise if preferred. For more heat, add a chopped up chipotle as well in addition to the Adobo. You may also swap in sriracha instead of Adobo, or lime juice instead of the water
Variation: add some cooked slices of bacon for a salmon BLT slider!
Toasting your Hawaiian slider rolls is optional; the sliders are good on plain soft buns as well if you want to skip that process
You do not need to flip the salmon during cooking. It falls apart pretty easily so this helps it to maintain integrity while it cooks
My salmon was perfectly cooked after 12 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Your time may vary based on your specific air fryer and the thickness of your fish pieces
The more even that you cut your salmon the better, as varying thicknesses will result in thin pieces being dried out by the time thick sections are fully cooked
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, additional sides, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
