Salmon Croquettes (Plus VIDEO)

These croquettes here are extremely tasty – inside and out. They’re full of great flavor (but not overwhelming) with onions, garlic, and savory herb flavor, which is pretty basic yet indulgent.

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

What makes this salmon croquette recipe a surefire hit is that it’s easy to assemble and very budget-friendly. You’ll find it only calls for a couple of simple ingredients that are probably sitting right in your pantry now.

• Canned Salmon – It’s as fancy as fresh salmon, but it’s easily accessible, economical, and, of course, still delicious and healthy. Leftover grilled or broiled salmon works, too. And if you’ve got canned tuna in your pantry, have some tuna croquettes.
• Egg – The egg will bind all the ingredients, making it easier to shape these salmon balls while adding more flavor. Can’t eat eggs? Mix a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or ground chia with three tablespoons hot water, occasionally stirring for about ten minutes or until it gets an eggy texture.
• Garlic and Onion – I suggest mincing the onion and garlic to allow their savory flavors to incorporate into our salmon mixture. Then their flavors will blend together in our croquettes as we bite. So yummy!
• Breadcrumbs – I used panko for this salmon croquette recipe because they are lighter and crispier when cooked. And they absorb less oil, too. But, of course, regular breadcrumbs will do just fine. You can also try these salmon cakes with crushed saltine crackers for extra flavor.
• Hot Sauce – This one is optional, but the added kick of heat is simply irresistible.
• Cajun Creole Seasoning – To amp up the flavor, I used Creole Seasoning – and no, I can’t live without it.😍 It makes everything taste better!

How to Make Salmon Croquettes

Make the Salmon Mixture

1. Drain and Flake – Drain the liquid from the canned salmon into a measuring cup. Flake the salmon into a large bowl, and set aside. (Photo 1)
2. Combine – 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. (Photos 2-3)
3. Shape – Grab about 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture, then shape it into a croquette using your hands into an oval shape – just like an egg. Repeat the process until the salmon mixture is all used up. (Photo 4)

Coat and Fry

1. Dip and Coat –  Lightly dip the croquettes into the extra egg mixture until it is completely coated. Then roll them in breadcrumbs. Set aside. (Photo 5)
2. Heat Oil – 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℃.
3. Fry Until Golden Brown – Gently place croquette in oil using a frying spoon, if needed, then fry about two minutes per side or until golden brown. You may have to do it in batches to prevent the croquettes from getting soggy. (Photo 6)
4. Serve – Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and serve warm with remoulade sauce.

Recipe Variations

• More Veggies – Make your fried salmon balls more nutritious by adding diced carrots, potatoes, zucchinis, and bell peppers. Your kids won’t even notice the veggies. Booyah! Double win! You can also try my Potato Croquettes.
• Add Cheese – Oh, you’ll love these croquettes with lots of cheese! Parmesan and cheddar cheeses are excellent choices. You should try it. 😉
• Herbs and Spices – Add more herby flavors with parsley, thyme, and basil or Italian seasoning, and they’ll be more amazing than ever. Oh yes!
• Baked Salmon Croquettes – Of course, you can bake these salmon cakes, too. Bake them at 400℉/205℃ for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips and Tricks

• You may dip them in lightly beaten eggs before coating them 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 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, then shape them into patties (like these Salmon Patties below) to cook more evenly.

Serving and Storage Instructions

You may want to restrain yourself from eating the whole batch of these salmon croquettes as they are simply addictive, especially when you dip these babies in one of these homemade dips below.

• Tartar Sauce
• Beer Cheese Dip
• Smoked Salmon Dip
• Remoulade Sauce
• Pimento Cheese

Make Ahead Instructions

And to make sure we don’t run out of these yummy fried treats, we can always make them ahead and store them for future cravings. 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 they’re 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 in storing leftover salmon patties.

Reheating Salmon Croquettes

• Fry – You can fry frozen croquettes to reheat them; no need to thaw. Just watch them as they will brown faster because they have been fried before.
• 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℉/177℃.
• Air Fry – Set the temperature to 350℉/177℃ and reheat the croquettes for 4-5 minutes.

Salmon Croquette FAQs

What to Serve

Aside from enjoying these croquettes on their own, you can turn them into a more nourishing meal by serving them alongside these amazing dishes below.

• Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
• Roast Carrots and Potatoes
• Tossed Salad
• Stovetop Mac and Cheese
• Green Bean Casserole

More Fantastic Appetizers to Try

• Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
• Smoked Shrimp
• Buffalo Chicken Wings
• Mac and Cheese Bites
• Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels

Watch How To Make It

This blog post was first published in January 2018 and has been updated with additional notes, photos, and a video.