Forget sandwiches, these crispy salmon bites will fast become a lunchtime favorite. Easy to eat one-handed, they can be enjoyed hot or cold, and are full of protein, keeping you satisfied for longer. Easy to make ahead of time and grab out of the fridge in the morning when needed.
🐟 Crispy Salmon Bites Recipe
This recipe is as delicious as it is easy to make.
A combination of salmon, bell peppers, onion, and a handful of herbs and spices, makes this crispy salmon bites recipe just bursting with flavor.
Pop one into a burger bun with some lettuce, tomato, and mayo, or wrap it up in a lettuce leaf for a lower-carb option.
Make a batch and simply grab and pop into lunchboxes in the morning.
These crispy salmon bites are also perfect as a main meal served with a salad, or some steamed veggies, or as croquette-style appetizers that can be easily eaten with one hand.
🧂 Ingredients You Need
We like to keep the ingredients fairly simple here, so grab the following bits and pieces, get it prepped, and let's get started.
You will need:
- Breadcrumbs: I like to use panko breadcrumbs for a bite more bite and texture, however, regular breadcrumbs will also work if that is what you have. If you would prefer to keep this gluten-free, simply swap the breadcrumbs for some gluten-free rice crumbs which can usually be found in the gluten-free section of most well-stocked grocery stores.
- Salmon: I use a fresh salmon fillet for this recipe, however you can thaw some frozen salmon, or even use canned salmon in a pinch. Just be sure to drain it well before use.
- Bell pepper: I use red, however green bell pepper or yellow bell pepper would also work here. Be sure to chop it up finely, ensuring evenly-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Red onion: again, with this, be sure you are cutting it up evenly.
- Fresh garlic: dried garlic or garlic powder can also be used in a pinch.
- Egg
- Fresh parsley: dried can be used.
- Paprika
- Olive oil: or other cooking oil of choice such as avocado oil.
And of course, we will also need some salt and black pepper to season the mixture.
📋 How To Make Salmon Bites
Lucky for you, these delicious little salmon patties come together quite easily.
We are simply going to cook the salmon, and then flake it into a bowl.
Then we are going to sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until fragrant and softened.
Mix everything together in a medium bowl, shape them into little croquettes, and cook.
To cook you can either heat some oil over medium heat in a large skillet or saucepan and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites
These can also be cooked in the air fryer.
Simply spray with some olive oil or cooking spray of choice, place on a silicone mat in an air fryer, and cook for about 8 minutes, gently tossing halfway through to ensure even cooking.
That's it.
Time to serve up.
Use wet hands to shape the salmon mixture into evenly-sized patties.
💭 Important Teaching Tips
Be careful not to overcook the salmon during the initial skillet cooking.
You want the salmon to retain some moisture for the most delicious end result.
Aim for about 10-12 minutes of cooking over low heat, and remember that the salmon will continue cooking for a minute or two when you remove it from the heat, and that it will be getting another round of cooking once shaped into a croquette.
If it is cooked properly, the salmon skin should be easy to remove with tongs or a fork.
You may want to pat the cooked salmon bites with paper towel to remove excess oil before serving.
Leftover salmon bites should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days.
Salmon bites can also be frozen once cooked.
Allow them to cool completely before arranging on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer until they are frozen solid.
Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and keep in the freezer for about one month.
They can be reheated from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Do not overcook the salmon. Aim for 10-12 on low heat. The skin should peel away easily if it has been cooked correctly.
🍽 What To Serve With Salmon Bites
Salmon bites are super versatile and can be served in a variety of ways.
Try one of these delicious options:
- alongside some mayonnaise for dipping
- in a burger bun with some lettuce, mayo and tomato
- in a lettuce leaf with some thinly sliced green onions and a squeeze of lemon juice
- as a main dish alongside a salad or some steamed vegetables
- made up in salmon bowls along with some brown rice, sliced lettuce, green onions, and other vegetables of your choosing for a complete meal
- in a tortilla with some lettuce and sour cream for a take on salmon tacos
They taste just as delicious hot or cold, so you do you and enjoy.
I hope you love this easy recipe as much as we do.
Be sure to leave a 5-star rating or a comment if you give them a try, and let other people know what you think.
Crispy Salmon Bites (Skillet and Air Fryer)
Materials
- 1.5 lb (600g) salmon fillet
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 small red onion finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided + extra for cooking the croquettes
- ¼ cup mayonnaise to serve
Instructions
- Cook salmon in a skillet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat for about 10-12 minutes until fully cooked. Remove from the heat and use tongs to remove the skin. Transfer salmon flesh to a bowl, and shred using a fork, removing any remaining bones.1.5 lb (600g) salmon fillet
- Add the other tablespoon of olive oil into a skillet and sauté the finely chopped red bell pepper and diced red onion until softened—season with salt. Add the minced garlic and stir until fragrant.1 red bell pepper, 2 garlic cloves, 1 small red onion
- Mix the cooked salmon, sautéed vegetables, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, chopped parsley, and paprika into a large bowl. Mix well until everything is well combined.⅓ cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, ½ teaspoon paprika
- Shape the mixture into 16 croquettes using your hands. You may have to wet your hands here to prevent sticking.
- Heat the extra olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the croquettes until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Alternatively, spray the basket of an air fryer with cooking oil of choice, and cook the salmon bites in the air fryer for about 10 minutes at 350F (180C), flipping about half way through.
- Serve the warm salmon croquettes with a side of mayonnaise for dipping, or allow to cool and serve in one of the other suggested ways below.¼ cup mayonnaise
Notes
They can also be frozen. Arrange the bites on a baking sheet in a single layer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be stored for up to one month. Reheat from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Serving Suggestions Serve the salmon bites warm with mayonnaise for dipping, or serve in one of the following ways:
- in a burger bun with lettuce, mayo and tomato
- cold with a mayo dipping sauce
- as a main dish with a side salad or some steamed vegetables
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Meg
This were so awesome! The perfect meal for lunches throughout the week too.
Stephanie Manley
These taste so much better than making these from canned salmon! So delicious.
chhavi
Love this recipe! have already made it twice.
Lana
I used the air fryer option as you described in the post, and they came out great! We enjoyed them with sweet potato fries on the side. Delicious.
Lexie
I followed the skillet method and served the salmon bites in a burger bun with lettuce and tomato. The texture was spot on, crispy outside and moist inside. Perfect quick lunch!