Salmon Croquettes are Southern soul food made quick and easy. Crispy on the outside with a soft and tender center, they’re an amazing appetizer, breakfast, or dinner fix. Even better, budget-friendly has never been tastier.
Whether you call them croquettes, salmon cakes, or salmon patties, this tasty, easy recipe saves both time and money.
You can shape them into patties or balls for presentation, but I prefer them oval-shaped as they’re more convenient to eat with dips and sauces during parties and game days. I coat them with breadcrumbs, too, for an added crunch.
Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon – These Southern salmon croquettes are cheap and easy, thanks to canned salmon. You can definitely use leftover fresh salmon if you have it on hand.
- Egg is the perfect binder, making it easier to shape these salmon balls.
- Seasonings – Onion, garlic, Creole Seasoning, and hot sauce deliver exquisite flavor. Red pepper flakes are great if you like more spice. So much yum!
- Breadcrumbs – I used panko for this salmon croquette recipe because they’re lighter and crispier. They also absorb less oil. But, of course, regular breadcrumbs, crushed saltine crackers, and gluten-free breadcrumbs do just fine.
- Oil for frying is best if it can handle high heat and has a neutral flavor. Canola is a good choice.
How to Make Salmon Croquettes
Make the Salmon Mixture
- Drain the liquid from the canned salmon into a measuring cup. Flake the salmon into a large bowl and set aside. (Photo 1)
- Combine – In a large bowl, gently mix the salmon, eggs, onion, garlic, ¼ cup breadcrumbs, white pepper, green onions, hot sauce, cajun seasoning, and salt. (Photos 2-3)
- Shape – Take 2-3 tablespoons of the salmon mixture and shape it into an oval croquette —like an egg— with your hands. Repeat the process until the salmon mixture is all used up. (Photo 4)
Bread and Fry
- Bread – Lightly dip the croquettes into the extra egg mixture until completely coated. Then, roll them in breadcrumbs. Set aside. (Photo 5)
- Heat a small non-stick frying pan with medium-high heat, then add about ½ cup of oil. Let the oil heat until it reaches about 350℉/177℃. (Pat the croquettes a little thinner and use less oil if you prefer pan-frying them.)
- Fry – Gently place croquette in oil using a frying spoon, if needed, then fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. You may have to do it in batches to prevent the croquettes from getting soggy. (Photo 6)
- Serve – Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and serve warm with remoulade sauce.
Different Ways to Make Salmon Croquettes
- Can’t eat eggs? Mix a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or ground chia with three tablespoons of hot water, occasionally stirring for about ten minutes or until it gets an eggy texture.
- More veggies. Add diced carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers to make salmon croquettes more nutritious. Your kids won’t even notice the veggies. Booyah!
- Cheesy goodness. These croquettes are even better with cheese! Freshly grated parmesan is an excellent choice.😉
- Pan fried. Reduce fat by flattening your croquettes into patties and heating a tablespoon or two of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry your salmon croquettes on each side for 2-3 minutes and serve.
- Baked salmon croquettes. Of course, you can also bake these salmon cakes at 400℉ (205℃) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Tips and Tricks
- You can dip them in lightly beaten eggs before coating them in bread crumbs for extra crispness.
- After mixing all the ingredients, let it sit for 15 minutes in the fridge to firm up before you start rolling them.
Make Ahead Instructions
Yes, I love making a double batch and saving half for later. Woohoo!
- Uncooked Salmon Patties – Shape them individually and place them on a baking sheet. Cover with a cling wrap and freeze. Store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe resealable bag after frozen. You can store them in the freezer for up to two months.
- Cooked Salmon Patties – Keep them in the fridge for up to four days or up to two months in the freezer. Do the same when storing leftover salmon patties.
Reheating Salmon Croquettes
- Fry – You can fry frozen croquettes; no need to thaw. The uncooked ones will take a little extra time to cook from frozen.
- Bake – Place salmon croquettes on a baking dish and cover loosely with foil. Bake them for about 10 minutes or until heated through at 350℉ (180℃).
- Air Fry – Set the temperature to 350℉ (180℃) and reheat the croquettes for 4-5 minutes.
Serving and Storage Instructions
These guys are best hot off the stove with your favorite dipping sauces, such as tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, African pepper sauce, and homemade BBQ sauce.
FAQs
The egg and breadcrumbs are enough to bind the ingredients. The salmon mixture should be a tad moist to make them easier to work with. However, the croquettes won’t hold their shape well if the mix is too wet or dry. To fix this, add more breadcrumbs or flour if it’s too wet and a splash of water if it’s too dry.
They have salmon (fresh or canned), eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. The recipe is pretty customizable according to your taste. You can add more herbs, spices, diced veggies, and finely grated cheese to add flavor.
They are technically the same and made with the same procedure. However, croquettes are usually coated in breadcrumbs and are a little thicker and rounder, while patties just have breadcrumbs in the mixture.
What to Serve With Salmon Croquettes
Aside from enjoying these croquettes on their own, you can turn them into a more nourishing meal by serving with cream cheese mashed potatoes, roast carrots and potatoes, and a tossed salad.
More Fantastic Appetizer Recipes to Try
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Smoked Shrimp
- Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Mac and Cheese Bites
- Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was first published in January 2018 and has been updated with additional notes, photos, and a video
Salmon Croquettes
Ingredients
- 1 14-ounce can (420g) salmon, drained and flaked
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup (75g) onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon (3g) garlic, minced
- 1 cup (125g) breadcrumbs, divided
- 1 teaspoon (2g) white pepper
- 1-2 green onions, diced (about ¼ cup)
- ½ -1 teaspoon (2-5g) hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon (3g) Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon (1-2g) salt, adjust to taste
- 1 egg (optional for breading, see note)
- oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Drain the liquid from the canned salmon into a measuring cup. Flake the salmon into a large bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, gently mix the canned salmon, eggs, onion, garlic, ¼ cup breadcrumbs, white pepper, green onions, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, and salt.
- Grab 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture, then shape it into an oval croquette using your hands – just like an egg. Repeat the process until the salmon mixture is used up.
- Lightly dip the croquettes into the extra egg mixture until completely coated. Then roll them in breadcrumbs. Set aside.
- Heat a small non-stick or cast iron frying pan on medium-high heat, then add about ½ cup of oil. Let the oil heat until it reaches about 350℉/177℃.
- Gently place the croquettes in oil using a slotted spoon, then fry for about two minutes per side or until golden brown. You may have to do this in batches to prevent the croquettes from getting soggy.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and serve hot with remoulade sauce.
Tips & Notes:
- Dipping them in lightly beaten eggs before coating them in breadcrumbs makes for extra crispness, but it’s optional.
- If you’re not a fan of canned fish, poach a one-pound salmon fillet in a lightly seasoned liquid, flake it once cooked, and proceed to the next step.
- After mixing all the ingredients, let it sit for 15 minutes in the fridge to firm up before you start rolling them.
- If planning on pan-frying, shape them into patties to cook more evenly.
- Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Robin P says
Best salmon croquettes I’ve ever made! Family loved them & I will be making again soon . Thank you for posting this recipe!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for the feedback.
Jennifer says
I’m living in Maryland but I’m from Tennessee. I’ve looked all over the internet for a recipe that reminds me of my granny’s salmon cakes and this is it. No one up here cooks southern food, so happy to find this, thank you for sharing.
ImmaculateBites says
Glad I could be of help. Enjoy!
Selma says
Absolutely delicious!!!
Ashya says
Soooooooo good! This was my first time making Salmon Croquettes. It is now a new favorite! Thank you for the great recipe.
Adriane Johnson says
So, delicious! I’ve made them for years, but this recipe is better than my Granny’s!
ImmaculateBites says
Aww, thanks so much!
Ashley says
I tried this recipe and my family loved it!!
ImmaculateBites says
Great! Thanks for the feedback.
Meela J says
Wow these look wonderful. I’m liking the shape also! Plan on trying these but wondering if the sodium DV% is correct. It says 5276mg per serving. Yikes! Hoping that’s a typo??
ImmaculateBites says
It is a typo.
Aldo says
I live in New Mexico so I HAD to include chopped NM chiles; I left out the hot sauce. Mama always included bell pepper in her croquettes so I threw some in as well. I sauteed the onions, garlic, and peppers for minute before adding them to the salmon and it flavored the oil nicely!
Judith says
I tried it and my family loved it.
Ss says
Hi there! You said creole seasoning in the writing up in the beginning but then in the ingredients list you put down Cajun. I’m lost I’m sorry.
P.s. I love trying your recipes.
ImmaculateBites says
Hello ,
Creole seasoning and cajun are sometimes used interchangeably. Am pretty much referring. to the creole/cajun seasoning blend here https://www.africanbites.com/creole-seasoning/.
Susan says
Any way to not fry them…have you tried a method that works?
imma africanbites says
Hi Susan. I haven’t yet tried baking these, but I guess it can easily be done. You can refer though for the mean time to this salmon patties version and see the baking notes in the recipe box. Here’s the link >>> https://www.africanbites.com/salmon-patties-2-2/ Thanks!
A cohen says
Great and very tasty. What kind of dipping sauce are you using for the Salmon Cakes and if so what is the recipe for the sauce
imma africanbites says
Hi. I use my homemade remoulade sauce here >> https://www.africanbites.com/remoulade-sauce/
Acohen says
What kind of sauce are you using for the Salmon Cakes and if so what is the recipe for the sauce
Sophia says
The kids loved it!!! 10 STARS
I am an instant fan!
imma africanbites says
Wohooo! Thank you for the glowing feedback!
Saadonna says
Followed your recipe to a tea and they came out great. Also made the remoulade sauce and my family loved it! The sauce goes great with crab cakes too! Thanks so much for the easy to follow recipe!
imma africanbites says
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I’m happy it all turned out great for you!