Crispy Salmon Fish Cakes Recipe

Flaky Homemade Salmon Fish Cakes Recipe: A Taste Of The Sea

Crispy, golden-brown salmon fish cakes dance with flavor and promise a delightful meal that breaks through ordinary dinner routines.

These delectable salmon fish cakes pack incredible taste into every single bite.

Perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices, they offer a delicious way to enjoy seafood in a handheld format.

Each cake combines tender flaked salmon with creamy potatoes and a blend of aromatic ingredients that complement the fish natural richness.

Home cooks adore how simple these fish cakes are to prepare, requiring just a few key ingredients and minimal kitchen skills.

With a gorgeous crisp exterior and a soft, succulent interior, these salmon fish cakes turn an everyday protein into something truly special.

Serve them hot with a zesty tartar sauce or bright lemon wedges for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients to Make Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes

For Main Ingredients:
  • Mashed Potatoes: Creamy base that binds the fish cakes, perfect for using leftover potatoes to reduce food waste and add rich texture.
  • Salmon: Flaky protein that brings oceanic flavor and omega-3 nutrients, works beautifully with both freshly cooked or canned varieties.
  • Egg: Natural binding agent that helps hold the fish cake mixture together and provides extra richness.
  • Fresh Italian Parsley: Bright herb that adds fresh, clean flavor and beautiful green specks throughout the mixture.
For Seasoning:
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the richness of salmon and potatoes.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the fish cake's taste, complementing the seafood perfectly.
For Coating and Cooking:
  • Egg Wash: Creates a sticky surface for breadcrumbs to adhere, ensuring a crispy golden exterior.
  • Breadcrumbs: Provides a crunchy, golden-brown coating that adds textural contrast and delightful crispiness.
  • Olive Oil: High-quality cooking fat that helps achieve a perfectly crisp, evenly browned exterior while adding subtle fruity notes.

Tools Needed for Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes

  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Fork or potato masher: Helps create creamy mashed potatoes.
  • Cutting board: For chopping parsley and preparing ingredients.
  • Skillet or frying pan: Needed for golden-brown frying.
  • Spatula: Essential for flipping fish cakes carefully.
  • Plate with paper towels: Helps drain excess oil after cooking.
  • Measuring spoons: For accurate salt and pepper seasoning.
  • Shallow dish: Useful for beating egg and coating breadcrumbs.

How to Cook Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes Easily

  • Potato and Salmon Fusion Preparation

Combine tender flaked salmon with creamy mashed potatoes in a mixing bowl. Blend carefully to ensure even distribution of ingredients, creating a harmonious mixture that captures the rich flavors of ocean and earth.

  • Patty Crafting

Shape the salmon-potato blend into delicate circular cakes. If the mixture feels too loose, pop it into the refrigerator for a quick chill to help maintain the perfect form.

  • Crispy Golden Coating

Dip each delicate cake into a whisked egg bath, then lovingly roll through seasoned breadcrumbs. This step creates a beautiful golden armor that will transform into a crunchy exterior.

  • Sizzling Transformation

Heat a skillet with a splash of olive oil. Gently place the prepared cakes into the pan, allowing them to dance and sizzle until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Flip once to ensure an even, crispy finish on both sides.

  • Finishing Touch

Rest the golden cakes on a paper towel to absorb any extra oil. This keeps the exterior perfectly crisp and light.

  • Serving Delight

Plate these golden treasures alongside a fresh green salad or your favorite crisp vegetables. A dollop of tangy tartar sauce makes the perfect companion to these delectable fish cakes.

Tips for Crisping Up Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes

  • Make the fish cake mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking, allowing flavors to meld and blend beautifully.
  • Add finely chopped green onions, diced bell peppers, or grated cheese to the potato mixture for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
  • Instead of frying, bake fish cakes in a preheated 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness and a healthier option.
  • Replace traditional breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers, cornmeal, or almond flour for a celiac-friendly coating that still delivers remarkable crunch.
  • Experiment with different dipping sauces like spicy aioli, herb-infused yogurt, zesty remoulade, or sriracha mayo to elevate the fish cakes' flavor profile and add personal flair.

Serving Ideas for Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes

  • Zesty Citrus Companions: Squeeze fresh lemon or lime wedges over the fish cakes to brighten their rich flavor and add a tangy kick that perfectly complements the salmon and potato blend.
  • Creamy Dipping Delights: Serve with homemade or store-bought tartar sauce, aioli, or a quick dill yogurt sauce that provides a cool, smooth contrast to the crispy exterior of the fish cakes.
  • Green and Fresh Pairings: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette or arrange some roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes to add color and nutritional balance to the plate.
  • Brunch-Style Presentation: Top each fish cake with a soft-poached egg and sprinkle with fresh chives for an elegant breakfast or brunch option that transforms the recipe into a more sophisticated dish.

How to Keep Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes Fresh

  • Quick Chilling Station: Wrap fish cakes individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days, allowing flavors to meld and keeping patties firm for easy handling.
  • Freezer-Friendly Batch: Layer fish cakes between parchment paper in an airtight container, freeze for 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating in skillet or oven.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm chilled or thawed fish cakes in preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, ensuring crispy exterior and hot center without losing moisture or texture.
  • Leftover Love: Store uneaten fish cakes in sealed container in refrigerator, consuming within 2-3 days. Refresh by quickly pan-frying at medium heat for a crisp revival, making them taste freshly made.
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Crispy Salmon Fish Cakes Recipe

Crispy Salmon Fish Cakes Recipe


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4.8 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Classic salmon fish cakes blend fresh Pacific salmon with crisp herbs and zesty seasonings for a delightful seafood appetizer. Crisp golden exterior and tender interior make these cakes perfect for home cooks who enjoy simple, flavorful dishes you’ll savor with each bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 340 to 400 grams (12 to 14 oz) leftover cooked salmon or tinned salmon
  • 2 cups (400 grams) mashed potatoes
  • 1 large egg
  • 30 milliliters (2 tbsps) chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 2.5 milliliters (½ tsp) salt
  • 2.5 milliliters (½ tsp) ground black pepper
  • 1 egg (for coating)
  • 15 milliliters (1 tbsp) water
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Dash of salt
  • Dash of pepper
  • Olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, blend mashed potatoes, flaked salmon, egg, salt, black pepper, and parsley until uniformly combined, creating a harmonious base for the fish cakes.
  2. Shaping: Craft uniform circular patties about 3 inches in diameter, pressing firmly to ensure structural cohesion and preventing potential crumbling during cooking.
  3. Chilling: Refrigerate the formed patties for 15-20 minutes to solidify their composition and enhance handling capability.
  4. Coating: Set up a breading station with beaten eggs and seasoned breadcrumbs, then meticulously coat each salmon cake by first dipping in egg and subsequently rolling in breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  5. Frying: Warm olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, then carefully introduce the breaded fish cakes, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior and ensuring thorough internal heating.
  6. Finishing: Transfer cooked fish cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to eliminate excess oil, preserving their delightful crunch and preparing them for serving.
  7. Presentation: Plate the salmon cakes alongside tartar sauce, green salad, or steamed vegetables, creating a balanced and appetizing meal ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

  • Refrigerate for Firmness: Chilling mixture for 15-20 minutes helps prevent salmon cakes from falling apart during cooking, creating more stable patties.
  • Moisture Control: Pat salmon and potatoes dry before mixing to prevent soggy texture and ensure crispy golden exterior.
  • Breading Technique: Press breadcrumbs gently but firmly onto salmon cakes to create an even, crunchy coating that adheres well during frying.
  • Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain medium heat to achieve perfectly golden-brown crust without burning or undercooking the salmon cakes.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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