5 Air Fryer Seafood Recipes for a Taste of the Ocean

Are you in the mood for a delicious seafood feast but are looking for something different from your usual fish filet meal? If seafood is one of your favorite sources of proteins, then let us transport you to the ocean with these 5 air-fryer seafood recipes.

Whether you're looking for crunchy fried fish tacos or salmon and veggie skewers that are simple to prepare, you can enjoy all the flavor and nutrition from tasty seafaring dishes without setting up a deep fryer in your kitchen.

Let’s grab our aprons and dive into some seafood deliciousness!

1. Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe

Looking for a quick and delicious dish? These air fryer lemon pepper shrimp are a must-try!

In just a few minutes, you can whip up a mouth-watering seafood dish that pairs perfectly with a salad or can be served over rice or pasta. The secret lies in a simple yet flavorful lemon pepper seasoning made with oil, lemon juice, lemon pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. 

Here’s what you’ll need

• Uncooked, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
• Garlic powder
• Lemon juice
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Lemon slices for serving
• Olive oil
• Paprika

Here’s how you make Air Fryer Shrimp

1. First, preheat your air fryer by following an air fryer cheatsheet.
2. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder in a bowl.
3. Now, add the shrimp and toss to coat them in the flavorful mixture.
4. Place the coated shrimp in the preheated air fryer.
5. Cook them until they turn pink outside and the meat becomes opaque, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
6. Serve the shrimp with fresh lemon slices for an extra citrus flavor.

2. Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe

Get ready for a delicious and hassle-free meal with this amazing Air Fryer Crab Cakes recipe!

These crab cakes are packed with flavor, perfectly crispy, and won't leave you feeling weighed down thanks to the magic of air frying. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze!

Here’s what you’ll need

• Drained and picked over lump crabmeat
• Worcestershire sauce
• Seafood seasoning
• Salt
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Milk
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon wedges
• Hot pepper sauce
• Ground black pepper
• Finely chopped green onion
• Dijon mustard
• Crushed saltine crackers
• Beaten egg
• Baking powder

Here’s how you make Air Fryer Crab Cakes

1. Mix the beaten egg, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, seafood seasoning, and hot pepper sauce in a bowl.
2. Put in the green onion and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, break up the crabmeat with a fork.
4. Add milk, salt, and black pepper, and toss to coat.
5. Add the crushed saltine crackers and baking powder, lightly tossing to combine.
6. Then, add this to the egg mixture, stirring gently to incorporate without breaking apart the lovely lumps of crab.
7. Scoop the crab mixture using a one-third cup measure and make 8 patties.
8. Place the patties on a plate.
9. Cover and refrigerate the patties until firm, for about 1 to 8 hours.
10. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
11. Lightly brush both sides of the crab cakes with cooking spray or olive oil.
12. Then place them in the air fryer basket.
13. Cook the crab cakes in the preheated air fryer for 5 minutes. Flip the crab cakes gently and continue cooking until they're beautifully crispy and golden brown, about 5 minutes more.
14. Now, it's time to dig in and enjoy these incredible air fryer crab cakes!

3. Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

Get ready for a flavor-packed, moist and delicious air fryer salmon recipe that's ready in under 10 minutes!

This salmon has a hint of sweetness that will leave you wanting more. If you're using unsalted Cajun seasoning, don't forget to season the filets with salt before serving.

A Misto sprayer with oil is recommended, but regular cooking spray works just as well. For the best results, go for 1-inch-thick, center-cut filets.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Skin-on salmon filets
• Cajun seasoning
• Brown sugar
• Cooking spray

Here’s how you make Air Fryer Salmon

1. Start by preheating your air fryer.
2. Rinse and dry your salmon filets with a paper towel, then use cooking spray to mist them.
3. Get the Cajun seasoning from your spice rack, mix it with brown sugar until well combined, and then spread the mixture onto a plate.
4. Press your filets, flesh-side down, into the seasoning mixture.
5. Lightly coat your air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray.
6. Place the salmon filets skin-side down.
7. Lightly mist the salmon with cooking spray once more.
8. Close the lid and let the salmon cook in the air fryer for 8 minutes.
9. If you prefer your salmon slightly more done, increase the cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes.
10. Be careful not to overcook, as it can dry out the salmon.
11. Once done, remove the salmon from the air fryer.
12. Let it rest for 2 minutes before serving.

4. Air Fryer Breaded Sea Scallops Recipe

Get the crispy results of deep frying without the mess or smell with this easy and tasty air fryer recipe!

Here’s what you’ll need

• Dried sea scallops
• Cooking spray or olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Crushed buttery crackers
• Melted butter
• Seafood seasoning

Here’s how you make Air Fryer Breaded Sea Scallops

1. Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees.
2. Mix the crushed crackers, garlic powder, and seafood seasoning in a shallow bowl.
3. Pour the melted butter into a separate shallow bowl.
4. Then, dip each scallop into the melted butter, then coat it in the cracker mixture.
5. Place the coated scallops on a plate and repeat with the rest.
6. Lightly cover the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
7. Arrange the scallops in the basket, ensuring they don't touch each other.
8. Cook in batches if needed.
9. Fry in the preheated air fryer for 2 minutes.
10. Gently flip the scallops with a spatula and cook for 2 minutes or until they turn opaque.
11. Serve and enjoy crispy, flavorful sea scallops without the hassle of deep frying.

5. Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets Recipe

Prepare for a delicious and crispy treat with another installment of the salmon air fryer recipes saga!

These nuggets are perfectly cooked on the outside while staying moist and tender on the inside. They're topped off with a mouth-watering chipotle-maple drizzle that adds a sweet and spicy kick. Not only are these nuggets great as an appetizer, but they're also a tasty addition to any salad.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Skinless, center-cut salmon filets, cut into half-inch chunks
• Butter and garlic-flavored croutons
• Cooking spray
• Egg
• Ground-dried chipotle pepper
• Maple syrup
• Sea salt

Here’s how you make Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets

1. First, let's make the chipotle-maple drizzle. Combine the maple syrup, chipotle powder, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Heat it until it simmers, then reduce the heat to low to keep it warm.
3. Next, we'll prepare the coating for the salmon nuggets.
4. Place the croutons in a mini food processor.
5. Press pulse on the food processor until they turn into fine crumbs.
6. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg.
7. Now it's time to preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees.
8. Lightly sprinkle the salmon with sea salt.
9. Dip each piece into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.
10. Then, coat the salmon in the crouton breadcrumbs, making sure to shake off any extra.
11. Place the coated salmon pieces on a plate and give them a light mist of cooking spray.
12. Coat the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil or cooking spray.
13. Place the salmon nuggets inside, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
14. Cook the nuggets in the preheated air fryer for 3 minutes.
15. Gently flip the salmon pieces, give them another light oil spray, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the salmon is cooked.
16. Once ready, transfer the nuggets to a serving platter and drizzle them with the warm chipotle maple syrup.
17. You can serve these salmon nuggets immediately or keep them warm in the oven on the lowest setting while you finish air-frying the remaining nuggets.
18. And if you want even more flavor, serve the chipotle maple syrup on the side as a dipping sauce.

Conclusion

From shrimp to sea scallops and everything in between, these five air fryer seafood recipes will tantalize your taste buds!

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy midweek dinner option or something more exciting to add to your dinner table, these recipes are healthy and flavorful. Not only can they be cooked quickly and easily in the air fryer, but all of these crab cake, salmon, salmon nuggets, shrimp, and sea scallop recipes enable you to enjoy the proverbial fruits of the ocean with minimal effort.

So step outside your culinary comfort zone and try out one or all of these healthy air fryer recipes today!