Salmon Croquettes – pan fried, protein-packed, bread crumbed rolls made with salmon and aromatics. It makes a quick and tasty appetizer, breakfast or dinner fix. Very budget-friendly and simple to make!
Depending on your family history, these Salmon Croquettes are also referred to as salmon cakes or salmon patties. But one thing is for sure, this is a tasty and easy recipe that saves you not just time, but also money.
This recipe is a Southern favorite. It is often served at home and even in bars and restaurants. What makes this dish a surefire hit is that it’s easy to assemble and very budget-friendly. You’ll find that it only calls for a couple of simple ingredients that are probably sitting right in your pantry now.
Aside from that, these croquettes here are quite tasty, too – inside and out. It’s packed (but not overwhelming) with onions, garlic and savory herb flavor which is pretty basic yet indulgent.
The use of minced garlic for this recipe allows the garlicky flavor to disperse easily and incorporate well into the salmon mixture.
To amp up the flavor, I used creole seasoning – yes, I just can’t live without it. Makes everything taste better! To coat the salmon mixture I used panko bread crumbs – any would do just fine, actually.
But if you don’t have easy access to it, you can simply make your own homemade seasoned breadcrumb with stale white or wheat bread. Or you can get fancy by adding a little more seasonings depending on your preference.
You can shape them into patties or balls but I do prefer them in oval-shaped as they look pretty convenient to eat with dippings and sauces during parties and game days.
Want an easy baked salmon meal instead? Try this Oven Baked Salmon is moist, flaky, highly-seasoned salmon fillets with a lemony and spicy kick. A great no-fuss low-carb or family weeknight meal!
Looking for some serving suggestions for these croquettes as an everyday family meal? I got your back. You may serve this salmon croquettes with mashed potatoes, roasted or steamed veggies, fresh salad or enjoy it on its own.
You may want to restrain yourself from eating the whole batch as they are simply addictive. Happy eating!
If you prefer using fresh salmon, check out this other recipe HERE.
Tips and Notes:
- You may dip in lightly beaten eggs before coating in bread crumbs, for extra crispness.
- If you’re not a fan of anything canned, you may poach a one-pound salmon fillet, then simmer in a lightly seasoned liquid, flake it once cooked and proceed to the next step.
- After mixing the whole ingredients, let it sit for 15 minutes in the fridge to firm up before you start rolling them.
- If planning on pan frying then shape into patties – it cooks faster .
Watch How To Make It
Salmon Croquettes – pan fried, protein-packed, breadcrumbed rolls made with salmon and aromatics. It makes for a quick and tasty appetizer , breakfast or dinner fix. Very budget-friendly and simple to make!
- 1 1 14.75 ounce (418.16 g) can salmon, drained and flaked
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten ( plus extra egg) optional see notes
- ½ cup (75 g) onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) minced garlic
- 1 cup (125 g) bread crumbs (divided)
- 1 teaspoon (1.80 g) white pepper
- 1-2 green onions diced (about ¼ cup)
- ½ -1 teaspoon (2.3 - 4.7 g) hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon (1.42 g) salt, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon (2.60 g) cajun seasoning
- oil (for frying)
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Drain the liquid from the canned salmon into a measuring cup. Flake the salmon into a large bowl . Set aside.
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In a large bowl, gently mix together the canned salmon, eggs, onion, garlic, ¼ cup bread crumbs, white pepper, green onions, hot sauce, cajun seasoning and salt.
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Grab about 2-3 Tablespoons each of the salmon mixture – shape into croquette using your hands, into an oval shape – just like an egg.
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Lightly dip the croquettes into the extra egg mixture until it is completely coated, if desired ,then drenched in bread crumbs. Set aside.
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Heat a small non-stick frying pan with a medium-high heat, then add oil about ½ cup. Let oil heat until it reaches about 350 degrees F.
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Gently place croquette in oil using a frying spoon, if needed, then fry about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. You may have to do in batches to prevent croquette from being soggy.
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Transfer to a plate with paper towels and serve warm with remoulade sauce.
How to Make Salmon Croquettes
Drain the liquid from the canned salmon into a small bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, gently mix together the canned salmon, eggs, onion, garlic, ¼ cup bread crumbs, white pepper, green onions, hot sauce, cajun seasoning and salt.
Grab about 2-3 tablespoons each of the salmon mixture – shape into croquette using your hands into an oval shape – just like an egg.
Lightly dip the croquettes into egg mixture, if desired – it’s optional – until it is completely coated, then drenched in bread crumbs. Set aside.
Heat a small non-stick frying pan with a medium-high heat, then add oil about ½ cup. Let oil heat until it reaches about 365 degrees F. Gently place croquette in oil using a frying spoon, if needed, then fry about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. You may have to do in batches to prevent croquette from being soggy.
Transfer to a plate with paper towels and serve warm with remoulade sauce.
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.
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/.
Any way to not fry them…have you tried a method that works?
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!
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
Hi. I use my homemade remoulade sauce here >> https://www.africanbites.com/remoulade-sauce/
What kind of sauce are you using for the Salmon Cakes and if so what is the recipe for the sauce
The kids loved it!!! 10 STARS
I am an instant fan!
Wohooo! Thank you for the glowing feedback!
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!
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I’m happy it all turned out great for you!
These are the best salmon croquettes I’ve made due to the use of panko crumbs. Made them dipped in egg and w/out dipping in egg. My husband and I prefer dipped in egg.
Hi Glenda, Thanks for sharing this with us .So happy to hear it worked out well for you.
Can i use fresh Salmon
Yes, you can. You may refer to this recipe here when using fresh salmon >> https://www.africanbites.com/salmon-patties-2-2/ and just shape them like the ones show in the pictures above.
I made them today, and everyone loved them. I even sent my sister the recipe, because she came over & devoured the rest. Thanks a lot!
Thank you for sharing, too. Glad you guys love it as much as I do. 🙂
Thank you for the recipe! These were a big hit with my husband and 3 kids!
Yaaay! Glad your family loved it.
Thank you so much Imma! My mother was from the south but I was born in Oakland CA, and never got Mom’s recipe for Salmon Croquettes – apparently none of the family did. This is the closest I’ve ever come to hers! That sauce looks delicious too – great idea. This is sure to become a favorite around here!
Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ellen. I’m glad you all like it. Enjoy! 🙂
Hi, I would like to make these for my family on Christmas. What kind of dipping sauce do you use for the Salmon Croquette Bites?
I serve them with remoulade sauce – right here https://www.africanbites.com/remoulade-sauce/
Can I cook them in a deep fryer?
You sure can . Be sure to place the croquettes gently in a single layer . Do not stack them , deep-fry for 3 to 4 minutes till golden brown.
Made these tonight for my 91 year old Uncle… and they were absolutely delicious! Halfway thru the meal he was talking about eating them for breakfast in the morning! Definitely will make them again! Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, Val. I sure can eat this for breakfast, lunch and even dinner. 😉 Send my regards to your Uncle!
Sounds delicious! What do we do with the liquid from the canned salmon that we reserved in the measuring cup?
Hi, Jasmine! You can add a bit of that canned salmon liquid to the mixture if is too dry to form into patties.
Wonderful please do you have video ?
Not for this recipe. Hopefully will get to it soon.
Awesome Imma! You found a neat way to upscale or modernize what would seemingly be Salmon Cakes with a twist. This is definetly nice to make as finger food, party bites or Friday at the office food/snacks. I luv it! Will have to keep this in my back pocket i’ll admit. As well lovely pictures and good instruction. Adding a little Thyme or Parsley in the Salmon mix would also add a nice touch as well.
Sorry haven’t been around much… life and things you know.
Please point me to the sauce used when you can.
Hi Urban! Missed you around here…. but totally get it ! Glad to have you back. As always love all the little additions you so freely share with us. Thank you so much!
Really great recipe. Super tasty!
Awesome! Thanks for giving it a try !
Hi Imma
Yummy recipes!
Excellent!
Love these and salmon is so good for you! If you have a recipe fic to make this something that could be baked, I would love to make them as mini muffins for a high protein snack. Thanks!
Will keep that in mind. I guess this could be easily baked .
The recipe ingredients does not include milk although the instrustions call for it. The instructions also talk about dipping in an egg mixture but is not included in the incredients. They really sound delicious. Please correct the recipe. Thanks
Hi Carol! Thanks for bringing this to my attention it’s been updated to make it clearer. Thanks !
How many can of salmon? The recipe says 1 1 14.75 ounce
It’s one 14.75 ounce can.
I don’t see the update. Eggs are mentioned in the mixture of all ingredients, but not as a separate dip after mixing .???
I have updated recipe to make it clearer. You use 2 eggs in the croquettes then an extra egg is used to dip the croquette in before frying .
My husband used to make salmon croquettes by mixing a beaten egg and a little pepper and forming patties. Then he would dip the patties in corn meal and fry them until they were golden brown. He did not use milk or hot sauce. He would add hot sauce to the croquettes on his plate, though!
I will always think of him when we make those delicious croquettes!
No milk in the recipe