These slightly spicy blackened Cajun salmon bites are SO quick and easy to make with only three things. They make the tastiest healthy high-protein snack, appetizer, or dinner addition! Try them with the simple, creamy dip that goes great with their flavor.
We LOVE salmon, so I cook it in a lot of different ways. I’ve pan-fried it, blackened it, made homemade lox, you name it. Another great way to serve salmon is in salmon bites. Cutting the salmon up into bite-sized flavorful pieces makes them so much more snackable.
Add a creamy dip (recipe is below!) and serve these as a snack. For dinner, put them in tacos, over rice with vegetables, or on an appetizer tray with honey (or spicy honey) drizzled on top.
Fried salmon bites are a fantastic appetizer that is sure to be a crowd pleaser These crunchy, flavorful morsels of fish are easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to make tender, juicy salmon on the inside enveloped by a deliciously crispy golden exterior
Overview of Fried Salmon Bites
Fried salmon bites are small pieces of salmon that are breaded and then fried until golden brown and crispy. They are also known as salmon nuggets or popcorn salmon. The breading helps keep the salmon’s moisture inside, so after frying, the inside stays soft and flaky. The salmon itself provides heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. When served hot from the oil, these salmon bites are a great starter or snack. You can dip them in a lot of different sauces, like buffalo sauce, tartar sauce, aioli, or honey mustard.
Benefits of Salmon
Salmon is one of the most nutritious fish you can eat. Here are some of its top health benefits:
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High in protein – A 3 ounce serving contains about 17 grams of protein. Protein helps build muscle, bones, and skin.
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Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids – Salmon is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s which are good for your heart brain, and eyes.
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Good source of potassium – Potassium supports nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and heart health.
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Salmon is a good source of niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. These support energy production and metabolism.
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Loaded with selenium – Selenium boosts immune function and has antioxidant properties.
Shopping for Salmon
When buying salmon to make into crispy bites, here are some tips:
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Choose wild salmon – It contains more omega-3s than farmed salmon. Look for Alaskan salmon varieties like sockeye, coho, and king.
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Pick thicker fillets – Fillets that are at least 1 inch thick will be easier to cut into nice cubes for frying. Thinner salmon may overcook.
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Inspect color – The flesh should look vibrant orange-red with no brown or gray spots.
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Check for firmness – The salmon should feel firm to the touch, not mushy. Press it gently with your finger.
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Buy skinless – Skinless fillets will be easier for breading the cubes. You can ask the fish counter to remove it.
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Know your cuts – Center cut fillets are often the thickest and most uniform in shape.
Prepping the Salmon
Once you have your high-quality salmon fillets, you will need to prep them into bite-sized pieces:
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Rinse thoroughly – Give the fillets a good rinse under cold water and pat very dry with paper towels. Moisture will make the breading slide off.
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Trim off any thin parts – For even cooking, trim down any thin ends or tails of the fillet.
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Cut into 3/4 to 1 inch cubes – Carefully slice the fillet crosswise into strips, then dice the strips into cubes. This size will cook up with a nice crust without overcooking.
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Check for bones – Run your fingers over the cubes to feel for any small pinbones and remove them with tweezers or needle nose pliers.
Breadings for Fried Salmon
The breading is key to achieving super crispy fried salmon bites. Here are some breading options:
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Panko bread crumbs – Japanese panko crumbs create a light, crunchy crust. Look for them near the regular breadcrumbs.
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Cornflake cereal – Crushed cornflakes add great texture and corn flavor to the coating.
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Potato or corn starch – These starches help seal moisture and promote browning.
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All-purpose flour – Flour aids browning and gives the breading something to stick to.
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Spices and herbs – Add a dash of garlic powder, paprika, dried dill, or Old Bay seasoning to the breading.
Breading Method
For optimal crunch factor, here is the ideal breading procedure:
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Flour – Dredge cubes in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Tap off excess.
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Egg wash – Dip cubes in beaten egg. This helps the next layer adhere.
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Breading – Finally press cubes into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides.
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Let sit 5 minutes – Allowing the breaded cubes to sit firms up the coating so it stays on nicely.
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Double bread – For extreme crunch, repeat the egg wash and breading steps. Just watch the thickness.
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Chill – For even more insurance, you can refrigerate the breaded bites for 30 minutes before frying.
Frying the Salmon Bites
When it comes to frying, there are a few key pointers for success:
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Use a thermometer – An oil thermometer takes the guesswork out. Heat oil to 350-375°F.
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Choose a neutral oil – Canola, vegetable, peanut or corn oil work well for frying.
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Use enough oil – Fill the pan with 1-2 inches of oil to allow bites to fry evenly. Use more oil for larger batches.
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Fry in batches – Don’t crowd the pan. Fry 4-6 pieces at a time so oil temperature doesn’t drop.
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Flip once – Let bites fry 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Flip only once for best crust.
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Drain on paper towels – Draining on towels wicks away excess grease for a crisper exterior.
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Don’t press! – Resist the urge to press on the bites while they fry. This leads to a greasier texture.
Serving Suggestions
Your freshly fried salmon bites need to be enjoyed immediately once they come out of the oil! Here are some tasty ways to serve them up:
- Lemon or lime wedges for squeezing
- Tartar sauce or spicy mayo for dipping
- Cocktail sauce with lots of horseradish
- Tangy vinaigrettes with fresh herbs
- Honey mustard or barbecue sauce
- Ranch, blue cheese, or buffalo sauce
- Salsa, guacamole, or chimichurri sauce
- Stir together yogurt, lemon, and dill for a quick tzatziki sauce
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds
Crispy fried salmon bites pair well with French fries, tater tots, homemade potato chips, or onion rings. For crunch factor, add some coleslaw, a fresh green salad, or roasted veggie sticks on the side.
Storage
To keep leftover salmon bites crisp for future snacking, follow these storage tips:
- Let cool completely before storing.
- Place in a single layer on a parchment lined plate or pan. Avoid stacking.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Re-crisp leftover bites in a 425°F oven for 6-8 minutes, flipping once.
- Reheat fried bites in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes, shaking basket occasionally.
Recipe for Easy Pan Fried Salmon Bites
Now that you know all the tips and tricks for achieving the perfect crispy coating, try out this simple recipe for easy pan fried salmon bites:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound wild salmon fillet, skin removed
- 1⁄2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
- 1⁄2 cup canola oil
Instructions:
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Rinse salmon fillet and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Trim any thin edges. Cut salmon into 3⁄4-1 inch cubes.
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In a bowl, mix together cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
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Dredge salmon cubes in cornstarch mixture until evenly coated on all sides.
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In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium-high heat to 350°F.
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Fry salmon in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
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Drain fried salmon cubes on a paper towel lined plate. Season with extra salt if desired.
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Serve immediately with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
So there you have it – everything you need to know to make the perfect plate of fried salmon bites! When prepped, breaded, and fried properly, these crispy salmon nuggets are sure to vanish quickly. Adjust the flavorings and spice levels to suit your taste. Impress your family or guests at your next gathering with these easy yet impressive crispy
Cajun seasoning for salmon nuggets
These nugget-sized salmon bites are Cajun-spiced with a little blackened seasoning, giving them lots of flavor.
I use about 1. About 2 to 5 tablespoons of seasoning is enough to cover 1 pound of salmon. This makes the salmon taste good and a little spicy. There are different kinds of Cajun seasoning, so make sure you use the right amount for you. It’s better to add a little more seasoning later than to make the salmon bites too spicy.
I used this blackening rub (also available in a 3-pack).
More seafood appetizers to try: Tuna Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers
Salmon bites in the air fryer, stove, or pan-fried
There are many ways I’ve cooked these salmon bites, so I made sure to write down the instructions for all of them. You can find them below. If you’re wondering which method I like better, it’s hard to say! For some recipes, I say whether pan-frying or air-frying is better, but for this one, it doesn’t really matter! The salmon bites stay juicy no matter what because they cook quickly and are small.
If I really had to pick one way to cook these, Id say air fryer. Heres why:
Air frying salmon bites is definitely fastest and most hands-off way (5-6 minutes). Pan-frying is just as quick, but you have to remember to flip the salmon bites halfway through. It takes longer than 10 minutes to roast salmon bites in the oven because the oven needs time to heat up.
So use whatever method works best for you!
Ill typically use the air fryer if I am roasting vegetables for dinner.
More finger food protein appetizers: Peach Meatballs
- Salmon: The thicker part of a salmon fillet is what you’ll need. Pick pieces that are all about the same thickness so they cook evenly, about 1 to 2 inches. 5 inches thick. You might have to buy one of those big 2-lb packs of salmon and cut off the thinner edges to get 1 lb of salmon for salmon bites. Those can be seasoned the same way and pan-fried. You can also use steelhead trout in this recipe. Be sure to check out my air fryer trout too!
- Salmon skin: Youll need to remove the salmon skin. Cutting the salmon into 1 Cut the meat into 5-inch cubes. Then, lay each cube on its side and cut off the skin. If you want to use the skin to make crispy salmon bacon, you should cut it off of the whole salmon fillet. This way, the skin stays whole.
- Changes to Cajun seasoning: As we already said, each Cajun or blackening seasoning has a different level of heat, and everyone can handle heat levels differently. Before you decide how much to use, taste the seasoning. Some taco seasoning can be used instead of the Cajun seasoning if you want to cut down on the heat but keep the flavor. Also, check your Cajun seasoning to see if it has salt in it. If not, you’ll need to add a little salt to the salmon as well.
But enough chatting! Lets grab our ingredients and cook!
More 5 minute air fryer bites: Air Fryer Bagel Bites
For the salmon bites:
- 1 lb salmon fillet without the skin (please read the notes above; the salmon should be the same thickness, so you may need to start with more than 1 lb and then cut off the thinner parts)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, or adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Optional: salt, if your Cajun seasoning doesnt have salt
For the creamy dip:
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon lime juice (squeeze 1 wedge), or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste)
More salmon recipes to try: Mayo Baked Salmon
Step 1: Cut the salmon fillet into even 1-1.5-inch cubes. Remove the skin, if the skin is on.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the salmon cubes, seasoning, and oil. Mix together to coat the salmon in oil and seasoning completely. I find it best to get in there with my hands and mix.
Step 3: Cook the salmon bites using one of the methods below. Serve warm with dipping sauce. Prepare the dipping sauce by mixing all the ingredients in a small bowl or cup. Adjust the flavor to taste as needed with more seasoning, lime juice, and/or some salt.
Related recipe: Air Fryer Hot Pockets
Simple Fried salmon bites Recipe | How to make salmon | Salmon recipe
FAQ
Should salmon be baked or fried?
How to get crispy skin when frying salmon?
How to cut salmon into bites?
Are pan fried salmon bites easy to make?
These juicy pan-fried salmon bites are super easy to make during a weeknight, and most of the prep is inactive marinating time. If you’ve ever been scared to pan-fry fish on the stove, check out my tips below for perfectly moist and flavorful salmon bites below.
Is fresh salmon safe to eat?
Yes, salmon is a source of omega 3, the fatty acid is responsible for acting in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, making the heart strong and healthy. Just be careful to analyze the supplier to make sure it doesn’t have any contamination.
How to make salmon bites?
Garlic and onion powder: these duo aromatics add flavors to the bites. Thyme and oregano: these two herbs switch up the aroma of the bites and make them more flavourful. Cayenne pepper: Adds a bit of heat. Feel free to adjust it. You can make these salmon bites in three different ways: stovetop, air fryer, and oven.
How do you eat fried salmon bites the next day?
Pan fried crispy salmon bites are delicious the next day too! Simply refrigerate leftover salmon bites in an airtight container. Heat a frying pan on medium and once hot, add the salmon bites and toss until heated through to crispy perfection. If you have any questions or comments, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.