Smoked Salmon Jerky
on Nov 25, 2025, Updated Feb 12, 2026
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If you love bagels, smoked salmon, and a little crunch in every bite, you’re going to love 🥰 my Smoked Salmon Jerky. I’ve been making this recipe for years—ever since I got my air fryer—and it never fails to feel like a little treat. I usually use smoked steelhead salmon, but any high-quality smoked salmon works. Sometimes I brush the pieces with honey 🍯, maple syrup, or teriyaki before air-frying, turning them into a sweet-and-salty “salmon bacon” 🐟🥓 that’s impossible to resist.
It’s indulgent, and yes—the salt 🧂 is real, so I don’t eat it every day. But for a special breakfast? Totally worth it. Pile it on a toasted bagel 🥯 with cool cream cheese, briny capers, pickled red onions, fresh dill, and thin cucumber, and you’ve got a crunchy, creamy, smoky, and slightly sweet breakfast that feels fancy but comes together like that 🫰.
Key Takeaways
- Smoked Salmon Jerky is a crispy, indulgent treat that combines smoked salmon with classic toppings for a delicious breakfast.
- You can prepare this recipe in under 15 minutes using high-quality smoked salmon and your choice of bagel.
- Customize your Smoked Salmon Jerky with toppings like avocado, goat cheese, or fresh herbs for added flavor.
- Air-frying gives the salmon jerky its ideal texture, though you can also broil it carefully in the oven.
- Store the jerky in an airtight container for 3-5 days or freeze it for up to 2 months for later enjoyment.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Smoked Salmon Jerky
This recipe comes together in under 15 minutes, but it tastes like something you’d savor at a fancy weekend brunch 💅. Crispy, smoky salmon jerky meets cool cream cheese, briny capers, and bright, fragrant dill in every bite. Pickled red onions add a tangy crunch, while mandoline-thin cucumber slices 🥒 keep things fresh. Pile it all on a warm, toasted homemade bagel and you’ve got a crunchy, creamy, salty, and slightly sweet bite of pure happiness 🥰.
Ingredients
🐟 Smoked salmon: Choose a high-quality smoked salmon – I use smoked steelhead salmon, but you can use your favorite. Tearing it into bite-sized pieces before air-frying transforms it into a crispy, salty jerky that’s impossible to resist.
🥯 Toppings: I assemble my bagel with cream cheese for a smooth, tangy base, briny capers, bright fresh dill, homemade pickled red onions, and paper-thin mandolined cucumber for a cool, crisp finish.
Nonna’s Tip ✋
For the crispiest, most flavorful salmon jerky, tear it by hand and air-fry just until it’s perfectly golden and slightly chewy.
Variations and Substitutions for Smoked Salmon Jerky
- Brush the smoked salmon with a little honey, maple syrup, or even teriyaki before air-frying. The result is perfect for anyone who loves the salty+sweet combo as much as I do 😉.
- Feel free to mix up the classic toppings. Avocado 🥑 adds creaminess, while arugula or fresh sprouts give it a peppery bite.
- Instead of cream cheese, try a smear of tangy goat cheese. It pairs beautifully with the crispy, smoky salmon.
- While a classic everything or plain bagel 🥯 is perfect, whole grain, rye, or even a pretzel bagel can add another layer of flavor and texture.
- Add in fresh herbs like chopped chives or tarragon. Additionally, a squeeze of fresh lemon 🍋 can add a little brightness.
Best Served With
- Homemade bagels 🥯 like these high-protein Cottage Cheese Bagels (Viral) or my Easy Bagel Recipe.
- Cream cheese, dill, capers, pickled onions, and thinly sliced cucumbers 🥒.
- Homemade Pickled Red Onions 🧅.
- This Salmon Rice Bowl.
Similar Recipes
Easy Bagel Recipe
30 mins
Teriyaki Salmon Skewers
13 mins
Salmon Skewers
14 mins
Labneh Breakfast Plate
10 mins
Salmon Cucumber Rolls
15 mins
Common Questions
Yes! Whole fillets work beautifully. Just tear them into bite-sized pieces before air-frying for that perfect jerky texture.
Air-frying gives it the best texture, but you could also broil it briefly in the oven. Keep a close eye—it can go from perfectly crisp to overcooked very quickly.
Absolutely! You can make the salmon jerky ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Yes, you can freeze it in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer to crisp it up before serving.
Absolutely. Avocado, arugula, or a squeeze of lemon juice can all add extra layers of flavor without overpowering the salmon.
Smoked Salmon Jerky
Equipment
Instructions
- Take 3-4 slices of smoked salmon and tear it into thin pieces.
- Air fry at 375F for 8 minutes until crispy.
- Add smoked salmon jerky to a bagel topped with cream cheese, pickled red onions, capers, dill and thinly mandolined cucumber. Enjoy!
Nonna’s Notes
- Sweet+salty: Brush the smoked salmon with a little honey, maple syrup, or even teriyaki before air-frying. The result is perfect for anyone who loves the salty+sweet combo as much as I do.
- Toppings: Feel free to mix up the classic toppings. Avocado adds creaminess, while arugula or fresh sprouts give it a peppery bite.
- Cheese spread: Instead of cream cheese, try a smear of tangy goat cheese. It pairs beautifully with the crispy, smoky salmon.
- Bagels: While a classic everything or plain bagel is perfect, whole grain, rye, or even a pretzel bagel can add another layer of flavor and texture.
- Herbs: Add in fresh herbs like chopped chives or tarragon. Additionally, a squeeze of fresh lemon can add a little brightness.
My Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So yummy! Perfect for brunch! THANK YOU
So, I’m not the biggest fan of bagel and lox, but I decided to give this a try. I loved the salmon jerky. It made the texture and flavor so wonderful!
Made this and it blew me away! Super quick, perfectly crispy, and way more flavorful than I expected! I’m not usually a salmon girly, but this is delicious!