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Canned Salmon Cakes

Salmon cakes with canned salmon 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!

Salmon Bites on a white dish with a white garlic dipping sauce in a white ramekin
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Why this recipe works

  • Great as an appetizer or weeknight meal
  • Simple ingredients
  • Crispy on the outside
  • Make in the air fryer or oven
  • Great for meal prep
  • Budget friendly
  • Can be made with leftover salmon!

Ingredients

  • Canned salmon
  • Avocado
  • Ground flax
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt

How to make salmon bites in the oven

  1. In a mixing bowl, mash the avocado.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

    Collage of how to make simple salmon bites Step 1-4.
  5. Spray pan with Avocado oil. Place the formed salmon bites on a non-stick baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

    Salmon bites on baking sheet before baking.
  6. Bake at 400F for 17 minutes, flip the patties and bake 3 more minutes (see below for alternate cooking methods)

What kind of salmon is used to make salmon bites

These salmon cakes 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.

Salmon bites stacked high on a round green plate with an avocado in the background

The best canned salmon for these salmon cakes

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:

Salmon Bites on a white dish with a white garlic dipping sauce in a white ramekin

Other flavors

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.
Salmon bites in air fryer before cooking.

What to serve with salmon bites

Salmon bite being dipped into a bowl of white garlic sauce

How to store leftovers

Fridge: You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Freezer: Yes, you can store the salmon cakes in the freezer 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

  • 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. 
Simple salmon bites lined up on a baking sheet

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. 
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Salmon Bites on a white dish with a white garlic dipping sauce in a white ramekin

Canned Salmon Cakes

Canned salmon cakes are easy to make, made with pantry ingredients and the perfect appetizer, meal or game day snack! This simple recipe is gluten free, Whole30 and low carb friendly.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: canned salmon cakes, salmon cakes canned salmon
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Guided Recipe Video

Ingredients

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

Other ways to cook salmon cakes
  • 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.
To change up the flavor, you could add 1 tablespoon of these spices in step 4 above:
  • Cajun
  • Taco
  • Ranch
  • Curry
  • Everything bagel seasoning
Storing leftovers
Fridge: up to 4 days in airtight container. 
Freezer: After cooking and cooling completely, 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:
  • 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

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
289
Fat
 
9
g
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
Fiber
 
3
g
Protein
 
40
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?Let others know by rating and leaving a comment below!

Recipe Rating




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.