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Overhead shot of three salmon tostadas on a wooden board.

BEST Salmon Tostada Recipe with Cilantro Ranch

These BEST Salmon Tostadas are crispy, bold, and seriously fun to eat. Cajun-seasoned air fryer salmon bites are layered onto crunchy tostada shells with fresh cabbage, lime pickled onions, and a generous drizzle of creamy cilantro ranch.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 tostadas
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 192

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound salmon skin removed and diced into cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
For the tostadas:

Method
 

  1. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels, then cut it into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. If it has skin on it, use a sharp knife to gently slice the skin off before dicing it into pieces.
    1 pound salmon
  2. Add the salmon to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and thyme, then gently toss until the salmon is evenly coated.
    1 tbsp olive oil, 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon thyme
  3. Arrange the marinated salmon pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes, flipping the bites halfway through to ensure even cooking.
  4. If you’re using corn tortillas, lightly fry them in hot oil until crispy to make tostadas. If you prefer something a little simpler, just warm the tortillas and turn this into salmon tacos instead.
    8 tostada shells or corn tortillas
  5. To assemble, layer sliced cabbage onto each tostada, then top with the salmon bites and pickled onions. Finish with a generous drizzle of cilantro ranch dressing, then serve and enjoy!
    Green or red cabbage, Cilantro ranch dressing, Lime pickled red onions

Nutrition

Serving: 1tostadaCalories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 12gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 168mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 338IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg

Notes

  • Prep ahead: Make the cilantro ranch and lime pickled onions in advance. Both keep well in the fridge for up to a week and make assembly a breeze.
  • No air fryer? Bake the salmon bites at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Tostadas vs. tacos: Skip frying the tortillas and warm them instead to easily turn this into salmon tacos.
  • Storage: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to bring back the crispy edges. Always assemble tostadas fresh so the shells stay crunchy.
  • Spice level: Start with 1 tsp cajun seasoning if you're sensitive to heat, and build from there.

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