Salmon bites are the perfect appetizer, salad topper or game day treat!
This simple recipe uses canned salmon, so it’s easy to make anytime! This recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, allergy-friendly, and Whole30 approved!
Why this recipe works
- Because these salmon bites are so easy to make, they are great for weeknight meals or ideal for parties, as they are a great appetizer or game day treat and can be made ahead of time and simply reheated!
- These baked salmon bites get crispy on the outside, especially when you bake them in the air fryer! These remind me of chicken nuggets but made with salmon (a salmon nugget?).
- Salmon bites are THE BEST meal prep item! They get super crunchy in the oven and taste amazing COLD on salads or will heat up quickly in a warm skillet or in the toaster oven the next day.
- Made with canned salmon, these baked salmon bites can be made anytime with pantry items! No special trip to the store needed! Also wild caught canned salmon can be less expensive than fresh salmon, so it’s a great way to get in salmon on a budget!
- These can also be made with leftover salmon!
What kind of salmon is used to make salmon bites
Salmon bites can be made with either canned salmon (my preferred method) or as a great way to reuse leftover cooked salmon. If you are using cooked, flaked salmon, you will need about 2 cups of flaked cooked salmon.
The best canned salmon for these bites
Canned Salmon is often sold 2 different ways, both of which work well for making salmon bites:
- Boneless and skinless
- With bones and skin (the bones and skin are edible, but you can also easily pick them out)
You want to buy wild caught salmon to make sure you are getting all the benefits of the Omega-3 fatty acids. These are my favorite brands:
- Wild Planet, Wild Pink Salmon – this salmon is sustainably caught and has no fillers.
- Safe Catch, Wild Pink Salmon – tested for mercury levels and sustainably caught!
- Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon (sold in Costco) – super affordable at Costco!
- 365 Everyday Value, Alaskan Wild Salmon Pink (Whole Foods) – great flavor and packed in a BPA free can.
Ingredients
- Canned salmon
- Avocado
- Ground flax
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
How to make salmon bites in the oven
- In a mixing bowl, mash the avocado.
- Next, drain all the liquid from the canned salmon. Add the canned salmon to a bowl along with the ground flaxseed, mashed avocado and spices.
- Combine the salmon cake mixture well in the bowl. Let the mixture sit in the bowl, well mixed for a minute or two to allow the ground flax to absorb any excess liquid.
- Take about 1-2 tbsp. of the mixture in your hand and form a small flat disk with the salmon mixture. This recipe should make between 14-16 salmon bites
- Spray pan with Avocado oil. Place the formed salmon bites on a non-stick baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Bake at 400F for 17 minutes, flip the patties and bake 3 more minutes (see below for alternate cooking methods)
Salmon bite spice alternatives
Simply add about 1 tablespoon of seasoning to the salmon mixture in Step 2.
Other ways to cook salmon bites
- Air Fryer: Baked in the air fryer at 350F for 13 minutes
- Stove-top: Cooked in a hot skillet (over medium heat) with 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, 3-4 minutes each side to create a crispy crust. This method will likely require 2 separate batches to be cooked.
Recommended kitchen tools
What to serve with salmon bites
- As an appetizer simply dipped homemade ranch dressing or chipotle ranch dressing
- On top of your favorite salad
- Perfect dinner entree paired with mashed cauliflower and 5 minute creamy kale.
How to store leftover salmon bites
Fridge: You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Yes, you can store the salmon cakes in the freezer before or after cooking. However, they are really simple to make so making them fresh is ideal.
- If you freeze the salmon bites before cooking, freeze them individually in plastic wrap so they don’t stick together.
- If you freeze them after cooking, freeze them on a wax paper lined baking sheet until frozen solid. Once frozen, store them in a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge or add 5 minutes to the oven reheating time below.
How to reheat salmon bites
- Oven/ toaster oven: Preheat the oven to 400F and cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Stove: Spray with non-stick spray. Over medium heat, cook on each side 2 minutes to reheat.
- Air fryer: Set the air fryer to 350F and reheat for 3 minutes (6 minutes if frozen).
- Microwave: Least preferred method. Reheat on high for 60 seconds.
Substitutions
Avocado: If you cannot have avocado, you can substitute it with pumpkin puree or butternut squash puree. Other recipes recommend to use mayo, but I have not tried this myself.
Ground Flax: You can use coconut flour as a 1 to 1 substitute!
Canned Salmon: Using fresh cooked salmon or leftover salmon (about 2 cups total. I would not recommend using canned tuna, as the flavor of canned tuna is too strong.
If you love this recipe, you should try
Super Simple Salmon Bites
Guided Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 cans salmon (6oz cans)
- 1/2 avocado
- 2 tbsp ground flax - or coconut flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2-1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F
- In a mixing bowl, mash the avocado.
- Drain the salmon and add it to the mashed avocado.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well until well incorporated
- Place a sheet or parchment paper or silicon liner on a baking sheet. Spray lightly with non-stick spray and take about 1-2 tbs. of the mixture in your hand and form a small flat disk with the salmon mixture. This recipe should make between 14-16 salmon bites
- Bake at 400F for 17 minutes. Take out and flip. Cook another 3 minutes.
Notes
- Air Fryer: Baked in the air fryer at 350F for 13 minutes
- Stove-top: Cooked in a hot skillet (over medium heat) with 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, 3-4 minutes each side to create a crispy crust. This method will likely require 2 separate batches to be cooked.
- Oven/ toaster oven: Preheat the oven to 400F and cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Stove: Spray with non-stick spray. Over medium heat, cook on each side 2 minutes to reheat.
- Air fryer: Set the air fryer to 350F and reheat for 3 minutes (6 minutes if frozen).
- Microwave: Reheat on high for 60 seconds.
Nutrition Information
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Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in January of 2018, but was published again in November 2019 to include step by step directions, recipe notes and a video.
Ashley
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
Question: Have you ever used fresh Salmon to make these? And if so how does it change the recipe?
Samantha Rowland
Saturday 25th of April 2020
I haven't but if you have leftover cooked salmon you could flake that and use it in place of the canned. Hope that helps!
Jane
Tuesday 13th of March 2018
These salmon bites were amazing. The whole family loved them!
Donna Reidland
Friday 16th of February 2018
I recently had some salmon cakes at a get-together and they were delicious. Pinning this so I can give it a try.
Jessica
Tuesday 30th of January 2018
I'm intrigued! I love salmon and want to meal-prep it, but it never reheats well. I'll have to give these a try!
www.slackergirlfitness.com
Barrie
Monday 29th of January 2018
I LOVE how good these are for you - like a super-food snack! Pinning for sure! I have never even heard of banana flour- have to check it out.