You know those party moments when you need a fancy-looking appetizer in a flash? These air fryer smoked salmon blinis are my secret weapon – crispy little clouds of buckwheat goodness topped with silky salmon and tangy crème fraîche, ready in under 20 minutes. I first made them on a whim for book club when three people texted they were arriving early. The entire tray vanished before I could even grab one! Now they’re my go-to for last-minute hosting, lazy brunches, or when I just want to feel fancy while wearing sweatpants.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Smoked Salmon Blinis
Let me count the ways these little bites will steal your heart (and probably your guests’ appetites):
- Lightning fast: From bowl to table in 17 minutes flat – even my microwave can’t compete with that!
- Crispy magic: The air fryer gives these blinis that perfect golden crunch without a single drop of oil splatter on your stove.
- Flavor fireworks: Nutty buckwheat meets smoky salmon and that cool crème fraîche drizzle – it’s like a party in your mouth.
- Foolproof: If you can make pancakes, you can make these air fryer smoked salmon blinis. I promise!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Smoked Salmon Blinis
Gather these simple ingredients – I promise you probably have most in your pantry already! I always measure my flours by weight (so much more accurate), but I’ve included cup measurements too for when you’re feeling spontaneous.
For the blinis:
- 1 cup buckwheat flour (120g) – that gorgeous nutty flavor can’t be beat!
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60g) – helps keep things light
- 1 tsp baking powder – our little lift magic
- 1/2 tsp salt – don’t skip this flavor booster
- 1 cup milk – whole milk makes them extra tender
- 1 large egg – room temp works best
- 2 tbsp melted butter – cooled slightly (I’ve burned my fingers testing it too many times!)
For the toppings:
- 4 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced – go for the good stuff, it makes all the difference
- 1/4 cup crème fraîche – that tangy creaminess is everything
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped – trust me, fresh makes it pop
Equipment You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll grab from your kitchen – nothing fancy, I promise! My trusty basket-style air fryer does all the heavy lifting. You’ll also need:
- 2 mixing bowls (one big, one small)
- A good whisk (the wire kind works best)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A spatula (for scraping every last bit of batter)
That’s it! No fancy gadgets required – just like Grandma would’ve wanted (if she’d owned an air fryer).
How to Make Air Fryer Smoked Salmon Blinis
Alright, let’s get these golden beauties cooking! I’ll walk you through each step so you end up with perfectly crisp air fryer smoked salmon blinis every single time. The key is not to rush – even though they cook in just minutes!
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
First, whisk together all your dry ingredients in that big bowl – the buckwheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In the smaller bowl, beat the egg like you mean it, then whisk in the milk and cooled melted butter. Now, pour the wet into the dry and stir just until smooth – a few tiny lumps are fine, but we’re not making bread here! The batter should be like thick pancake batter – if it’s too runny, add a sprinkle more flour.
Step 2: Cook in Batches
Preheat that air fryer to 350°F (175°C) while you let the batter rest for 5 minutes (this helps the flours hydrate). When ready, drop tablespoon-sized dollops of batter into the basket – leave at least an inch between them or they’ll stick together in one big blini blob! I do 4-5 at a time depending on my fryer size. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and puffed – peek at 5 minutes since air fryers vary. They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean!
Step 3: Add Toppings
Now the fun part! While those blinis are still warm (this is crucial – cold blinis are sad blinis), drape on slices of that gorgeous smoked salmon, dollop with crème fraîche, and sprinkle with fresh dill. Serve immediately and watch them disappear before your eyes!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Smoked Salmon Blinis
After burning my fair share of batches (oops!), here are my hard-earned secrets for blini perfection every time:
- Toothpick test is truth: Stick it in the center – if it comes out clean, they’re done! A few crumbs are fine, but wet batter means more cook time.
- Crispy control: Love extra crunch? Add 30 seconds to cook time. Prefer them tender? Pull them out at 5 minutes.
- Chill your milk: Cold ingredients help the batter hold its shape better in the air fryer’s heat. No sad, flat blinis here!
Ingredient Substitutions
Life happens, and sometimes we need to swap ingredients – I get it! Here are my tried-and-true substitutions that still give you delicious air fryer smoked salmon blinis:
- Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose. The buckwheat’s already naturally GF!
- Out of crème fraîche? Plain Greek yogurt works in a pinch – just add a squeeze of lemon to mimic that tang.
- No fresh dill? Fresh chives or even a sprinkle of dried dill (use half the amount) can save the day.
See? No need for a last-minute grocery run – we’re making this work!
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer smoked salmon blinis absolutely shine with a glass of crisp sparkling wine – the bubbles cut through that rich salmon perfectly! For a lighter option, pair them with a simple cucumber salad tossed in lemon and dill. I love arranging them on a wooden board with extra crème fraîche on the side for dipping – it makes even Tuesday night feel like a celebration!
Storing and Reheating
Here’s the good news – these air fryer smoked salmon blinis can be saved for later (if you somehow have leftovers, which never happens at my house)! Just keep the un-topped blinis in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. When you’re ready for round two, pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes – they’ll crisp right back up like magic. Pro tip: Always store and reheat without toppings – nobody wants soggy salmon!
Nutrition Information
Just so you know what you’re biting into (not that you’ll stop at just one!), here’s the scoop per serving of two air fryer smoked salmon blinis – remember these are estimates since ingredient brands vary:
- 180 calories – totally worth every bite
- 8g fat (3g saturated) – thanks to that glorious salmon and butter
- 9g protein – fancy appetizer that actually fills you up
- 18g carbs (2g fiber) – the buckwheat gives it that hearty goodness
- 320mg sodium – mostly from the salmon, so go easy if you’re watching salt
Honestly? For something this delicious, I call that a nutritional win!
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve gotten so many questions about these air fryer smoked salmon blinis – here are the ones that pop up most often at my dinner parties (between bites, of course!):
Can I freeze blinis? Absolutely! Just freeze them plain – no toppings. Stack cooled blinis with parchment between layers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When cravings hit, pop them straight into a 350°F air fryer for 3-4 minutes to revive that perfect crispness.
Can I use pancake mix? Oh honey, no! Pancake mix has sugar and extra leavening that’ll make your blinis taste like breakfast gone wrong. The magic is in that simple buckwheat batter – promise it’s worth the extra 2 minutes of measuring!
Why buckwheat flour? That nutty, earthy flavor is what makes these blinis special! It pairs perfectly with the smoky salmon and gives a heartier texture than plain white flour. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free – bonus points for our GF friends!
Print
17-Minute Air Fryer Smoked Salmon Blinis – Irresistible Bites
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 12 blinis
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Crispy smoked salmon blinis made in an air fryer for a quick and delicious appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 4 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crème fraîche
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix buckwheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Whisk milk, egg, and melted butter in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients to form a smooth batter.
- Spoon small portions of batter into the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Top each blini with smoked salmon, crème fraîche, and dill.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour if needed.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Serve immediately for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: European