How Long to Fry Salmon Bites for Perfectly Cooked Fish

Salmon bites make for a delicious and easy weeknight meal These bite-sized pieces of salmon fillet are breaded or coated, then pan-fried to crispy, golden brown perfection Figuring out exactly how long to fry salmon bites can be tricky though. Undercook them and the inside will be raw and cold. Fry them too long and you’ll end up with dry, overcooked fish. Follow this guide to learn how long you should pan-fry salmon bites to get tender fish encased in a crispy, flavorful crust each and every time.

What are Salmon Bites?

Salmon bites are small bite-sized pieces of salmon fillet that are breaded or coated, then fried on the stovetop until crispy on the outside while keeping the interior moist. The most common preparations are

• Salmon pieces that have been dredged in flour, dipped in egg wash, and then covered in breadcrumbs or panko before being fried.

• Salmon bites coated in cornmeal—Salmon pieces are tossed with cornmeal that has been seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices. This is a quick and easy way to coat the fish.

• Plain salmon bites are pieces of salmon that have been fried without any coating so that the fish flavor can stand out.

Salmon bites make an easy and delicious meal or appetizer. They are also great for meal prepping since the cooked bites store well for several days in the refrigerator.

How to Choose Salmon for Bites

Opt for fresh wild salmon fillets when making salmon bites. Good choices are:

• Sockeye salmon
• Coho salmon
• King salmon
• Atlantic salmon

The best salmon for bites will have thick fillet pieces with consistent thickness throughout. Thinner tail ends tend to overcook and dry out faster.

For evenly sized and shaped pieces, cut your salmon fillets into 1 inch cubes. Having all the bites around the same size allows them to cook at the same rate.

Tricks for Perfectly Cooked Salmon Bites

Follow these tips when pan-frying salmon bites for tender, flaky fish inside a crispy coating:

• Use a heavy pan – A heavy skillet or pan like cast iron holds heat well to give the crispiest crust without burning.

• Get the oil hot – Preheat your pan over medium high heat. The oil should shimmer and be hot but not smoking before adding the bites.

• Don’t crowd the pan – Fry in a single layer with space between pieces to ensure even crisping. Work in batches if needed.

• Flip once – Resist the urge to move the bites around. Let them crisp up before flipping once.

• Blot grease – After frying, remove bites and let excess grease drain off on paper towels.

Following these simple tricks will help ensure your salmon reaches the ideal doneness inside and out. Speaking of doneness, how long should you actually fry those salmon bites for?

How Long to Fry Salmon Bites

The exact frying time can vary slightly based on the size and thickness of your salmon pieces plus whether or not you use a coating. For 1 inch pieces, cook times will generally be:

Breaded Salmon Bites

• 2 minutes per side
• 4 minutes total

Cornmeal Coated Salmon Bites

• 11⁄2 – 2 minutes per side
• 3-4 minutes total

Plain Salmon Bites

• 1-11⁄2 minutes per side
• 2-3 minutes total

These frying times will give you golden, crispy crust with moist, flaky salmon inside. If your pieces are smaller or thinner, reduce the cook time by 30 seconds to 1 minute per side.

Here are more details on exactly how long to fry different types of salmon bites:

Breaded Salmon Bites

Breaded salmon bites need the longest frying time since the coating adds thickness.

• Add bites to hot oil and fry undisturbed for 2 minutes
• Carefully flip each bite and fry 2 more minutes
• Total cooking time of 4 minutes per batch

The double layer of flour and crispy breadcrumbs takes a bit longer to turn golden brown and crisp. Be patient to ensure the interior is cooked through.

Cornmeal Coated Salmon Bites

Cornmeal coating is thinner than heavy breading so salmon fries faster.

• Add bites to hot oil and fry for 11⁄2 – 2 minutes
• Flip and fry 1 -11⁄2 minutes more
• Total time around 3-4 minutes

The cornmeal will crisp up quicker than breadcrumbs. Monitor to avoid over frying.

Plain Salmon Bites

Without any coating, plain salmon fries the quickest.

• Fry for just 1-11⁄2 minutes per side
• Total cooking time of 2-3 minutes

The hot oil will give a nice sear. Flip once until opaque and flaky.

How to Tell When Salmon Bites are Done

Checking your salmon bites for doneness as they fry prevents overcooking. Look for:

• Opaque, flaky flesh – Salmon changes from translucent to opaque when cooked through. Flake a piece open with a fork.

• Golden, crispy crust – Breading or cornmeal coating will turn golden brown when done.

• 145°F internal temperature – Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness.

Pull the pan from heat once your salmon bites reach these indicators. They will continue cooking off heat. Allow excess grease to drain before serving.

Serving Crispy Salmon Bites

Crispy salmon bites make a delicious meal or appetizer. Here are some tasty ways to serve them:

• On a bed of rice or quinoa
• In a pita or sandwich
• Over a fresh salad
• With steamed vegetables
• With homemade tartar or cocktail sauce for dipping
• On their own as a snack or appetizer

Pair crispy salmon bites with fresh lemon wedges, mango salsa, siracha mayo or other fun sauces. Get creative with healthy sides and toppings!

Storing Leftover Salmon Bites

Have some extra crispy salmon bites? They store well for several days.

• Let cool completely before storing.
• Place in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate for 3-4 days.

To reheat, place on a baking sheet in a 375°F oven until warmed through, 5-10 minutes. The oven will help recrisp the exterior.

You can also re-fry leftover salmon bites. Add to hot oil for 1-2 minutes per side until heated through and crisp.

More Delicious Salmon Recipes

If you love salmon, try out these tasty recipes:

• Lemon Garlic Salmon – Pan seared salmon fillets in lemony butter sauce
• Salmon Cakes – Crispy patties with fresh salmon and herbs
• Baked Salmon – Simple foil wrapped salmon baked with veggies
• Salmon Burgers – Flavorful salmon patties with fun toppings
• Cajun Salmon – Blackened salmon with Cajun seasoning
• Salmon Teriyaki Bowls – Quick meal with salmon, rice and veggies

With so many easy and delicious ways to cook it, salmon makes for a quick and healthy dinner option any night of the week. Give pan-fried salmon bites a try for your next meal. Just be sure to fry them for the recommended time to end up with tender, flaky salmon encased in a wonderfully crispy coating.