Put a lump of canned pink salmon in the air fryer basket and 5 more basics to create a meal so tasty your friends will demand you make it again.

This little air fryer bake is the kind of thing I put together on busy evenings out here in the country, when I want something hot, hearty, and not too heavy. It starts just the way the headline promises: with a thick lump of canned pink salmon set right into the air fryer basket, then dressed up with five more basics most of us keep on hand. It reminds me of the salmon patties my mother used to fry in a cast-iron skillet, but this version skips the bread crumbs and the splattering grease. Low in carbs, big on flavor, and ready in a hurry, it’s the sort of simple, practical recipe that has a way of becoming a regular request from family and friends.

Serve this salmon bake hot, scooped right from the air fryer basket or lifted out in big rustic wedges. It goes nicely with a simple green salad dressed in lemon and olive oil, or a side of steamed green beans tossed with butter. If you’re keeping things low carb, try it alongside roasted broccoli or cauliflower, or pile it over a bed of sautéed spinach. A squeeze of fresh lemon and a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream on the side make it feel like a complete, sit-down supper.

Servings: 2

1 (14–15 ounce) can pink salmon, drained (bones and skin removed if desired)

Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a bit of oil to help prevent sticking.

Open the can of pink salmon and drain it well. If you prefer, pick out the larger bones and skin, then gently press the salmon together with your hands to form one thick, compact mound. Set this mound directly in the center of the air fryer basket so it looks like a single lump of salmon.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, then stir in the mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until everything is well combined.

Spoon the egg and cheese mixture evenly over and around the salmon lump in the basket, letting it settle down into the cracks and around the sides so the salmon is mostly covered. Use the back of the spoon to smooth it into a rounded mound so it bakes up as one tidy piece.

Place the basket into the air fryer. Cook at 360°F (180°C) for 10 minutes, then carefully slide out the basket and check the top. It should be starting to set.

Continue air frying for another 5–8 minutes, or until the top is deep golden, the center feels firm when gently pressed with a spoon, and the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F (63°C). If the top is browning too quickly, you can lower the temperature slightly for the last few minutes.

Let the salmon bake rest in the basket for 3–5 minutes to firm up. Then, using a spatula, lift it out in large wedges or scoop it straight from the basket onto plates. Serve hot with lemon wedges if you like.