Simple Canned Salmon Bites
These crispy salmon cakes made with canned salmon are quick, crave-worthy, and a surprising alternative to chicken nuggets. Whether you’re serving them as an easy appetizer, piling them onto salads, or enjoying them as a fun twist on game day snacks, they always disappear fast.
Made with pantry staples, these salmon nuggets are budget friendly and come together in no time. Trust me, you’ll be sneaking them straight off the baking sheet before they even hit the plate. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, you can make these in the oven or air fryer in no time.
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How to make salmon bites in the oven
Mash the avocado in a bowl then add the ground flax and spices. Drain the canned salmon and add it to the bowl with the avocado. Mix well to fully incorporate all the spices in the salmon. Take 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture to form small bites, using your hands to firmly press the mixture together. Place the salmon cakes on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated 400F oven for 20 minutes (flipping after about 17 minutes). Alternatively place in a air fryer and bake at 350F for 13 minutes.
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Canned Salmon Nuggets (Ready in 20 Minutes)
Canned salmon cakes are easy to make, made with pantry ingredients and the perfect appetizer, meal or game day snack! Cook these salmon bites in the oven or air fryer, you have a fun alternative to chicken nuggets in about 20 minutes.
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Servings: 2 servings
Guided Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 cans salmon (6oz cans)
- 1/2 avocado
- 2 tablespoons ground flax - or coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F
- In a mixing bowl, mash the avocado.1/2 avocado
- Drain the salmon and add it to the mashed avocado.2 cans salmon (6oz cans)
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well until well incorporated2 tablespoons ground flax, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt
- Place a sheet or parchment paper or silicon liner on a baking sheet. Spray lightly with non-stick spray and take about 1-2 tablespoons 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.
Recipe 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.
- 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.
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What kind of salmon to use
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.
What is the best canned salmon to use?
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)
I recommend using wild caught salmon, but use whatever you love. These are my favorite brands:
- Wild Planet, Wild Pink Salmon – this salmon is sustainably caught and has no filler
- 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 easy to find
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.
What to serve with salmon bites
- As an appetizer simply dipped homemade ranch dressing or easy chipotle mayo
- On top of your favorite salad
- Perfect dinner entree paired with mashed potatoes, rice or your simple side dishes.
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.
Question: Have you ever used fresh Salmon to make these? And if so how does it change the recipe?
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!
These salmon bites were amazing. The whole family loved them!
I recently had some salmon cakes at a get-together and they were delicious. Pinning this so I can give it a try.
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!
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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.
What a great game day snack that’s also healthy!!
I love salmon anything—and how wonderful that these are Whole30 compliant!!