What Are the Ingredients for Fish Cakes? A Guide to Making Delicious Fish Cakes at Home

Fish cakes are a tasty and versatile way to enjoy seafood These crispy patties are often made with cod or salmon, but you can use any fish you like The base combines fish with binding ingredients like potatoes or breadcrumbs to help hold the cakes together when cooked.

Knowing the right ingredients to use is key for fish cakes with great texture and flavor. Read on for a guide to fish cake ingredients and tips for making heavenly fish cakes at home.

The Main Fish Cake Ingredients

There are five core ingredients that go into most fish cake recipes

Fish

• Use flaky white fish like cod, haddock, pollock, tilapia or sole
• Salmon, tuna, trout and other oily fish also work well
• Cooked leftover fish is a great way to use up remains

Potatoes

• Provides moisture and binds the cakes together when mashed
• Use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds

Eggs

• Helps bind the ingredients together
• Adds richness of flavor

Onion

• Provides aromatic flavor
• Use yellow, white or shallots

Breadcrumbs

• Gives the patties a crisp coating when fried
• Use panko for extra crunch

Mix-Ins for Flavor and Texture

In addition to the base, mix-ins can add lots of extra flavor, moisture and texture:

• Lemon juice or zest
• Fresh herbs like dill, parsley or chives
• Spices like paprika, cayenne, Old Bay
• Worcestershire or hot sauce
• Chopped veggies like celery or peppers
• Grated cheese for extra richness
• Canned fish like salmon or tuna
• Crumbled bacon or cooked shrimp

Binder Ingredients

Binders help hold the fish cakes together so they don’t fall apart when cooked. Good options include:

• Mayonnaise – Adds moisture and fat which helps adhesion
• Eggs – The proteins coagulate during cooking to bind
• Breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs – Absorb moisture and hold the cake together

Coating Ingredients

Dry coatings give fish cakes a crispy crust when pan-fried:

• Breadcrumbs – Use panko or French breadcrumb varieties
• Crushed crackers – Saltines, Ritz and buttery crackers add crunch
• Flour – Fry floured cakes for a delicate crust

How to Choose Fish Cake Ingredients

With so many options for creating delicious fish cakes, it can get confusing. Here are some tips:

• Pick a flaky white fish as the base if you want a traditional style
• Use salmon or tuna for a bolder, oily fish flavor
• Mix different types of seafood like cod, shrimp and crab
• Add potatoes when you want a softer, denser texture
• Use just breadcrumbs for lighter gluten-free cakes
• Bind with mayo or eggs but not both to avoid a wet batter
• Bread fish cakes for a hearty crunch or flour for a delicate crust
• Season simply with just salt, pepper and herbs or go bold with spicy rubs
• Mix in cheese, vegetables or herbs to pack extra flavor into every bite

The possibilities are endless when making fish cakes! Follow basic ratios for the binders and coatings then get creative with the flavors.

Fish Cake Ingredient Ratios

As a general guideline, the ratios of ingredients you’ll want to use are:

• 1 pound fish
• 1/2 to 1 cup binder (potato, breadcrumbs, etc.)
• 1-2 eggs
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup mix-ins and seasonings
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup coating (breadcrumbs, flour, etc.)

Adjust these as needed based on the exact ingredients used and personal preferences. More binder makes denser cakes while more coating means a thicker crust.

Basic Fish Cake Recipe

To make about 8 medium sized fish cakes:

• 1 pound skinless salmon, cod or other fish, cooked
• 3/4 cup mashed potatoes or breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup mixed herbs, spices, vegetables, etc.
• 1/4 cup flour, breadcrumbs or panko for coating

Mix the fish with potatoes or breadcrumbs. Add onion, egg and any other mix-ins. Shape into patties, coat with flour, breadcrumbs or panko, then fry in oil until golden brown and cooked through.

Serve fish cakes on their own, in sandwiches or tacos, or topped with remoulade sauce for a tasty meal.

Fish Cake Ingredient Combinations

Here are some tasty fish cake recipes to try:

Classic Salmon Cakes

• Salmon
• Russet potatoes
• Egg
• Dill
• Panko coating

Thai Fish Cakes

• Cod
• Breadcrumbs
• Lime zest
• Chili peppers
• Cilantro
• Curry powder coating

Cajun Fish Cakes

• Catfish
• Crackers
• Onion
• Cayenne pepper
• Paprika
• Flour coating

Italian Fish Cakes

• Tilapia
• Panko
• Basil
• Lemon
• Grated parmesan
• Breadcrumb coating

How to Shop for Fish Cake Ingredients

Making fish cakes is budget-friendly since you can use lower cost fish and just small amounts of spices, herbs and other flavorings. Here are some tips for shopping:

• Check for sales on frozen white fish at the supermarket
• Buy larger bags of potatoes and eggs since you likely won’t need the whole amount
• Skip pre-made spice blends and make your own from spices you have on hand
• Use fresh herbs if you have them, or opt for dried to save money
• Buy a big bag of panko – it lasts forever in the pantry
• Consider canned fish like tuna if you want an ultra budget option

With a simple trip for a few affordable ingredients, you can whip up amazing fish cakes anytime. Get creative with flavors you and your family will love.

Tips for Perfect Fish Cakes

Follow these tips for the best homemade fish cakes:

• Make sure fish is cooked and flakes easily before mixing
• Don’t over-mix the batter or cakes can get dense
• Chill the patties before frying for easier handling
• Dredge well in flour, panko or breadcrumbs before frying
• Pan-fry over medium heat for a crispy crust without burning
• Take care when flipping cakes to keep their shape

Now that you know the basics for ingredients and technique, you’re ready to fry up some fabulous fish cakes! Brush up on ratios, play with flavors and have fun switching up these tasty seafood patties.