My baked salmon patties recipe with breadcrumbs is an easy and healthy way to make an old fashioned southern classic. By using canned salmon, a binder such as breadcrumbs, and spices, you can create a simple meal that will feed a lot of people quickly and cheaply. Even though these patties are oven baked, they are still crispy, so you don’t miss any of the flavor. If you want to learn how to make the best salmon croquettes, keep reading!
What Are Salmon Patties?
Salmon patties are a type of fritter that is traditional in the southern United States. Also known as salmon croquettes, they are basically salmon burgers made with canned salmon. Canned salmon was (and still is) fairly cheap, so southern cooks used these patties to feed their families simply and inexpensively.
Can You Bake Salmon Patties?
Even though salmon croquettes are a southern favorite, they have somewhat fallen out of fashion as people try to eat healthier and avoid fried foods. However, by baking salmon patties instead of frying, you can significantly cut down on the fat and calories, making them a lot healthier.
Although a lot of people bake their salmon patties at 400 or even 425, I baked mine at 350. I thought they turned out perfectly, but next time I will have to try baking them at a higher temperature.
Crispy Baked Salmon Patties Recipe
Even though they aren’t quite the same as fried, you can still make crispy baked salmon patties. To make sure that the baked croquettes are crispy, you have to:
- Use a well-greased pan
- Spray the tops of the patties with oil
- Turn the patties about 1/2 way through the cooking process
If you follow these tips, you can make baked salmon patties–as well as other baked foods–crispy, too.
How Do I Keep My Baked Salmon Patties From Falling Apart?
Just like other types of fritters or burgers, salmon patties need some sort of binder so that they don’t fall apart. Almost all traditional recipes call adding the juice from the can and an egg to the canned salmon before forming the patties, but you also need some sort of dry binder.
The dry binder not only keeps the salmon patties from falling apart, but also allows you to stretch the canned salmon and feed more people with less. Although this recipe calls for breadcrumbs, other possible dry binders include:
- Flour
- Cornmeal
- Oatmeal
- Panko
- Almond Flour
- Crackers (Ritz, Saltine, etc.)
- Mashed Potato
As you can see, the fact that you can use just about anything as a binder to keep salmon patties from falling apart, as well as stretch them and feed more people, is the reason why salmon croquettes are such a part of old fashioned southern cooking.
Southern Salmon Patties Sides
The recipe for salmon patties is very versatile, so it should be no surprise that they can be served with many sides. Some options include:
- Rice
- Biscuits with Syrup
- Cornbread
- Bread
- Beans
Honestly, the possibilities are endless.
How To Make Baked Salmon Patties
Learning how to make baked salmon patties is easy. By following just a few simple steps, you can have a simple meal in minutes!
Preparing the Canned Salmon
The first step in my baked salmon patties recipe is preparing the canned salmon. Although some people removed the skin and bones, I did not remove al the bones because doing so would have been very tedious and time-consuming. Besides, the small bones of salmon, sardines, and other fish are a good source of calcium.
So, after emptying the canned salmon into a bowl, remove the larger bones that do not fall apart easily when mashed between your fingers or with a spoon / fork. Once the meat and small bones are broken apart, it will be easier to add in the binder and flavorings, as well as form the patties.
Choosing a Binder
As previously explained, there are a lot of options when it comes to binders in salmon patties. Almost all recipes call for adding an egg, along with at least some of the liquid from the can, in addition to some sort of dry binder. I chose to use breadcrumbs, but you can use anything and everything: flour, cornmeal, and crackers are all viable options, as is oatmeal.
These patties were meant to be used with without the southern cook had on hand, so you can do the same. However, judging from other fritter recipes I have made in the past, I am curious how oatmeal would turn out since the oatmeal that touches the baking pan toasts a bit, adding a nice flavor.
Making Salmon Patties Without Egg
Although I have never tried it, I have heard of people using mashed potatoes as a binder if they do not have an egg on hand, the moisture and starch in the potatoes taking the place of both the egg and dry binder. If I try this in the future, I will be sure to report back.
Adding Vegetables
Adding finely chopped vegetables to fritters is a good way to add flavor, color, and moisture, and these salmon patties are no exception. I decided to add onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper, and I am glad I did since the color and flavor was outstanding.
The only caveat is that I highly suggest you cook the vegetables before adding them, especially the bell pepper. Otherwise, you run the risk of biting into partially-cooked onions and peppers when you eat the patties.
Traditionally, most people sautéed the onions and other vegetables in oil. However, since I wanted my salmon patties to be healthy, I chopped my vegetables and then cooked them in the microwave before adding them to the patties in order to cut down on the oil. It turned out great, so I suggest doing that.
Adding Spices to the Baked Salmon Patties Recipe
Most old fashioned salmon patties recipes call for salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, but I wanted to make these a bit more flavorful. Coincidentally, I saw a video by Heather of the YouTube channel DishinWithMe, Heather D in which she made salmon patties, and I saw that she added lemon pepper to her patties. That gave me an idea.
I didn’t have lemon pepper on hand, but I did have fresh lemons, so I decided to add lemon zest. Fresh fish and lemon go together very well, so why not add lemon to canned salmon patties. It turned out great, so I was grateful I had stumbled upon Heather’s videos before making my salmon croquettes.
Forming the Patties
Once everything was mixed together, it was time to form the patties. I used two heaping tablespoons of the salmon mixture in each patty to make them the traditional size (about the size of a small burger), but you can make them bigger or smaller if you want. Much bigger, they might fall apart when served.
After putting 2 heaping tablespoons of the mixture in my hand, I formed a ball, put the ball onto the greased pan, then patted them down slightly. I then sprayed them with a bit more cooking spray before putting them into the oven to make sure they would be crispy.
FYI: My patties were about 75 grams each, a little over 2 ounces.
How Long To Bake Salmon Patties at 350
I baked the salmon patties at 350 F for a total of 25 minutes. After the first 15 minutes, I took them out of the oven, flipped them over, and then put them back into the oven for another 10 minutes.
I then let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to cool down and firm up before serving.
Serve
I served my salmon patties with rice, and I thought that the combination was perfect. They were good on their own, they were also good with lemon juice or hot sauce.
Baked Salmon Patties Recipe Review
Appearance: 10 / 10
These oven baked salmon patties looked incredible. Honestly, considering that they were baked and not fried, I was impressed by just how golden brown they were. The bits of green and red bell pepper added some nice color as well.
Taste: 10 / 10
Once again, this recipe surprised me since it was a healthy, oven baked version. These salmon patties were full of flavor, the salmon coming through strong without being overly fishy. However, I had to admit that I think the lemon, along with the garlic and onion, is what made these truly delicious without the oil and grease. So, if you make baked salmon patties, be sure to add lemon zest. Thanks, Heather!
Texture: 9 / 10
I really liked the texture of these salmon croquettes. Considering that they were baked, they were a lot crispier than you would think: using a well-greased pan and flipped the patties during the cooking process helped a lot.
The inside was nice and moist–it didn’t need any sauce or lemon juice to make it moist.
In spite of the great texture, I am going to downgrade it from 10 / 10 to 9 / 10. Even though these patties were crispier than you would expect from a baked version, there is nothing like the crispy exterior that comes from frying in oil.
Ease: 10 / 10
This baked salmon patties recipe was super easy. In just a few minutes you can mix together the salmon, binders, vegetables, and spices, then put the croquettes in the oven to bake. If you make rice while the patties are baking, you can have dinner done in no time.
In addition, this recipe is very versatile and forgiving, so you can use whatever you have on hand to make them. Honestly, this recipe is very easy and simple, so I highly recommend it.
Possible Changes to My Baked Salmon Patties Recipe
Although this baked salmon patties recipe was a big success, there are a few ways I could change them up in the future:
Use a different binder – As previously stated, I think that oatmeal would work well because the pieces of oatmeal that touch the baking sheet would toast, adding even more flavor.
Jack mackerel patties – Although using canned salmon is more common, some old fashioned recipes also call for using canned jack mackerel. I have heard that most people say salmon croquettes taste better, cooks using jack mackerel because it was cheaper, but now I am curious.
Tuna patties – I have to admit, I don’t really care for tuna. Tuna patties seem to be even less popular than jack mackerel, but if they are an option.
Mayo to add moisture – Mayonnaise is a secret ingredient in some cake recipes that gives the cake moisture, and some people add mayo to salmon patties for moisture and flavor. Adding a lot of mayo isn’t healthy, but I am sure it would be delicious.
Serve with a sauce – I thought there were great with hot sauce, but I have heard of some people serving them with remoulade sauce, similar to fried green tomatoes. I will have to try that at some point.
Baked Salmon Patties Recipe
Baked Salmon Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 14.75 oz can canned salmon
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 small yellow onion (40g)
- about 1/4 of a red bell pepper (40g)
- about 1/4 of a green bell pepper (40g)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Drain the canned salmon and set the liquid aside.
- Empty the canned salmon into a bowl and remove the large bones that do not easily fall apart.
- Mash the meat, small bones, and skin so that you can add mix ins and form patties.
- Add breadcrumbs.
- Chop onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper, then microwave on HIGH, covered, for 3 minutes. Set aside.
- Add 1 large egg, beaten.
- Add chopped vegetables, spices, and lemon zest.
- Add the liquid from the can little by little to moisten the mixture so that you can form patties. I used all of the liquid, but you made need more or less. If you need more liquid, you can use milk or water.
- Scoop out 2 heaping tablespoons of the salmon patty mixture. Form small balls, then put them onto a greased pan and lightly pat them down with your hand. Each patty is about 75 grams, a bit more than 2 ounces.
- Spray the top of the patties with cooking spray.
- Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes, then flip. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes (a total of 25 minutes).
- Let sit on the pan for 5 minutes so that they can cool down and firm up before serving.
YouTube Video
Be sure to watch my YouTube video tutorial:
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