Air Fryer White Fish Cakes (Spinach, Feta and Dill)

These air fryer fish cakes give you a golden, crisp crust and tender interior - without eggs, without flipping, and without standing over a hot pan of oil. The cakes are held together with a tasty mix of seasoned mashed potatoes and chilling alone, which means you can actually taste and adjust your seasoning before cooking.

What makes these different from the hundreds of fish cake recipes out there? Vegetables are built right in. Instead of requiring you to sauté veggies separately, you use thawed frozen spinach that's been squeezed dry. Add feta, fresh dill, and lemon zest, and you get bright, Greek-inspired flavors that make these really special. (and don't forget to serve with homemade tzatziki!)

I've spent nearly four years developing seafood recipes full-time, living on Portugal's coast where seafood is a way of life. These fish cakes add a whole new angle to our air fryer seafood obsession! For more tasty options, try Air Fryer Cod Tacos or Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp next!

Ingredients for White Fish Cakes

The fish needs to be cooked before you start. You can use leftover fillets, or just season raw fish with salt and pepper and air fry until cooked through, then flake it. Cod is my top pick because those big flakes make every bite satisfying, but haddock and pollock work great too.

Mashed potatoes should be fairly dry without a bunch of butter or cream. If you're using leftovers, make sure they're not too creamy, or your cakes will struggle to firm up. A simple boiled and smashed potato seasoned with salt and pepper and a teaspoon or two of sour cream or mayo works perfectly.

Frozen and thawed spinach needs to be squeezed like you mean it. Excess moisture is our enemy here.

Feta should be finely crumbled so it distributes evenly, and fresh dill makes a big difference over dried...but you can use either. If using dried, reduce to about ½-3/4 teaspoon.

Full recipe with ingredient list and measurements included in the recipe card below.

Step-by-Step Instructions (a visual guide)

Step 1: Crisp panko

Toss panko breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of olive oil. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each one, until the crumbs turn lightly golden and smell toasted. Set aside.

Step 2: Make fish cakes

Mix mashed potatoes, Dijon, lemon zest, salt, pepper, spinach (squeezed dry), scallions, fresh dill, and feta. Gently fold in your flaked, cooked fish.

Step 3: Shape and refrigerate cakes

Divide the mixture into 4-5 patties. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

Step 4: Coat and air fry

Once chilled, lightly press each side of the patties into your toasted panko until they're evenly coated. Arrange fish cakes in a single layer and air fry in preheated air fryer for 10-12 minutes, until deeply golden and heated through.

Rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with Tzatziki or Salmon Patty Sauce.

Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Fish?

You can use either, but the fish must be cooked before adding it to the potato mixture. If you're starting with raw fillets, season them with salt and pepper and air fry them at 375°F until they reach 145°F internally and flake easily. Let them cool, then flake into the mixture. Frozen fish works great - just thaw, cook, and flake.

What If I Don't Have an Air Fryer?

You can bake these on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 400°F for about 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until both sides are golden brown.

Can I Make These Ahead?

Absolutely. You can shape and coat the fish cakes up to 4 hours ahead, then keep them chilled in the fridge until you're ready to cook. They hold beautifully and actually firm up even more in the fridge.

Do I Need to Flip the Fish Cakes?

If your air fryer has solid circulation, you shouldn't need to. I tested these both ways - flipping and not flipping - and got a good golden crust on both sides without turning. But if you're worried, go ahead and flip them gently at the 6-7 minute mark to ensure even browning.

How Should I Store Leftovers?

Keep any leftover fish cakes in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer to crisp them back up, or serve them cold over a salad - they're excellent either way.

What Should I Serve with Fish Cakes?

These are delicious with Tzatziki Sauce, a simple tomato cucumber salad, and Mediterranean Rice or Yellow Rice. They're also great on their own with just a squeeze of lemon.

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