Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (2024)

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by Tamara J. 9 Comments

Take me to the Recipe

This is such an easy salmon croquettes recipe, and they are absolutely delicious to eat! With a few simple ingredients, you will have this southern classic on the table in no time.

You should definitely check out this Creamy Blackened Salmon Pasta and this Delicious Smoked Salmon Dip while you are here!

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (1)

Salmon croquettes are a true southern classic! We have been enjoying these easy and delicious salmon patties for decades. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. They are truly a treat!

Jump to:
  • What is a salmon croquette?
  • What is in a salmon croquette?
  • How to make them:
  • How to cook croquettes:
  • Other ways to cook croquettes:
  • Can I use can or packaged salmon to make croquettes?
  • What to eat with salmon croquettes?
  • 📖 Recipe
Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (2)

What is a salmon croquette?

A salmon croquette is a salmon patty that is formed with a few simple ingredients. You can make them with either canned or fresh salmon. The old school, southern classic croquettes are made using can or package salmon.

What is in a salmon croquette?

Most croquettes call for a blend of red peppers, green peppers, and onions. The typical binder that you will find is egg and flour. Of course there will be plenty of seasoning as well!

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (3)

How to make them:

You want to start by adding your salmon to a bowl. Then you will dice up your peppers and onions into small pieces. Add the them to the bowl with the salmon.

Now you can add one whole egg, and your flour. Sprinkle in your seasonings, and mix this up very well. Using your hands, you will form small patties. Keep them as round and juicy as possible!

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (4)
Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (5)

How to cook croquettes:

You want to start by heating some vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet, or any other shallow skillet. Place just enough oil to cover the croquettes at least half way.

Then you will gently place the salmon croquettes directly into the hot oil. Fry them on each side until they are golden brown; fried about five minutes per side.

Other ways to cook croquettes:

These can be cooked in the air fryer instead of frying them in oil. Simply form them into the patties and place them into a pre-greased or non-stick air fryer on the air fry or baker mode at 375°.

Spritz the outside with a canola or olive oil spray. Cook them for 5-7 minutes, check after 5 minutes to ensure they do not need to be flipped. After they are golden brown on one side, flip them over and cook an additional 5 minutes.

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (6)

Can I use can or packaged salmon to make croquettes?

Absolutely! The old school and southern classic version of salmon croquettes are made with package or canned salmon. Just drain any excess juices from the salmon, and prepare them according to the instructions below.

Some southern salmon croquettes recipes may also call for cornmeal along with the flour. The cornmeal offers a nice crunch when the salmon patty's are fried up. So that ingredient is completely optional!

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (7)

What to eat with salmon croquettes?

A lot of people enjoy this recipe for salmon croquettes with a piping hot, buttery bowl of Creamy Grits for breakfast. You can also eat them for lunch with a big salad, and maybe some crackers.

For a well rounded and complete dinner, make the salmon croquettes as your main entrée alongside some vegetables. Add some delicious cornbread or garlic bread as well!

📖 Recipe

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (8)

Yield: 5 Salmon Croquettes

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This recipe for salmon croquettes is super simple to make, and absolutely delicious to eat! With a few simple ingredients, you will have this southern classic on the table in no time.

Ingredients

  • 1-2 cups Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 cups Salmon (pre-cooked or packaged)
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 cup All purpose flour (reserve ½ cup if needed)
  • ¼ cup Red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup Green bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup Onion, diced

Seasoning

  • ½ tablespoon Seasoned salt
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pour just enough oil into a skillet to cover the salmon croquettes at least half way when they are frying. Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
  2. While the oil is heating up, place the precooked or packaged salmon in a large bowl. Crack the egg and add it to the salmon.
  3. Sprinkle the flour directly into the salmon mixture. Next add the bell peppers and onions.
  4. Add the seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper directly into the bowl.
  5. Use a spoon and start to mix. Break up the salmon a bit as you mix, if needed. Continue mixing until the flour is fully incorporated into the salmon.
  6. The salmon mixture should be easy to roll and form into a patty, if not- continue to add flour until you get the right texture (no more than an additional ½ cup).
  7. Grab about ¼ cup of the salmon mixture and roll it into a ball with your hands. Then gently smash it down to form a thick patty.
  8. Set them aside and continue this process until all of the salmon has been used.
  9. Once all of the patties are formed, gently place them, one at a time, directly into the hot oil. Try not to overcrowd the pan.
  10. Fry them for 5 minutes, or until a nice golden brown crust begins to form. Then use a spatula to flip them over and fry on the other side for an additional 5 minutes.
  11. Once they are golden brown on all sides, remove them from the oil and place them on a cooling rack (or bed of paper towels), to drain the excess grease.
  12. Eat right away!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

5

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 579Total Fat: 70gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 24g

This website provides approximate nutrition information as a courtesy and for convenience only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog and tag me in your photo on Instagram or Facebook!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Patricia Glick

    Awesome recipe!! So easy to follow the directions!!

    Reply

    • Tamara J.

      Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  2. Kaluhi

    These weer so easy to make and so delicious! If salmon is in the picture, I will always indulge! I made these and enjoyed these with a fine bottle of Chadonnay! I will be making them again this weekend

    Reply

  3. Kate

    I love salmon croquettes but I’ve never tried making them myself before. This turned out delicious and were so easy to make. Were had ours with some crispy salad and it was perfect. I’ll definitely be making them again!

    Reply

    • Tamara J.

      I’m so happy you enjoyed them! They’re our favorite!

      Reply

  4. Robin Sparks

    These cakes were amazing! My family devoured the platter in short order.

    Reply

  5. Marta

    I haven't had salmon croquettes in the longest time so I made these for the family and they were actually mad I hadn't made them before, LOL! The additions of red pepper and onions was new to me, but so glad I went with it. They added so much more flavor.

    Reply

  6. Raymond Klouda

    I've been known for a mean Salmon burger, can't wait to make these croquets. What do you think about a dill sauce? or dip.

    Reply

    • Tamara J.

      Absolutely YES!! I’m definitely digging a dill sauce with these. I’ll have to try that out soon too!

      Reply

Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep salmon croquettes from falling apart? ›

Eggs. To keep salmon patties from falling apart, you need a binder. That's the egg!

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in salmon croquettes? ›

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs in salmon patties? Instead of panko breadcrumbs, you can use cornmeal as we are or crushed Saltine crackers.

What's the difference between croquettes and patties? ›

If you're really into technical terminology, the difference is that croquettes typically use breadcrumbs, and patties typically use flour. A croquette mixture is flakier and lighter than a patty mixture.

Why won t my salmon patties stay together? ›

My salmon patties are falling apart! Canned salmon varies in moisture and fat content, so if your patties seem to fall apart, you might need to add more “glue” in the form of eggs. Just add in another egg, plus some extra bread crumbs, until you get a very sticky consistency.

How do you stop croquettes from bursting when frying? ›

Your Mixture is Too Warm

If the mixture isn't cold when it goes into the oil, it will heat up and start producing steam before the crumb coating has a chance to crisp up. If this happens, the steam bursts through and the croquette falls apart. So make sure the mixture is properly chilled before you begin to fry.

Is canned salmon already cooked? ›

Canned salmon is already cooked - just drain the liquid and it's ready to eat or add to your favourite dish. You can remove the skin if you like. Don't throw out the soft, calcium-rich bones! Mash them with a fork and you won't even notice them.

Can Ritz crackers be substituted for bread crumbs? ›

Crushed-up crackers make an excellent bread crumb substitute in baked dishes like meatballs or meatloaf. The crackers work just as well as the bread crumbs to hold the meat mixture together, and using varieties like salty saltines or buttery Ritz is a great way to add an extra burst of flavor to your dish.

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs for croquettes? ›

The Best 10 Breadcrumb Substitutes
  1. Rolled oats. Rolled oats are the perfect gluten-free binding ingredient, replacing breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf and many more recipes when you need to bind meat and eggs. ...
  2. Potato chips. ...
  3. Cornflakes. ...
  4. Almonds. ...
  5. Croutons. ...
  6. Crackers. ...
  7. Seeds.
Oct 18, 2022

Why are my salmon patties dry? ›

Salmon goes from moist and silky to tough and dry when it's overcooked, even by just a minute or two.

Why are my croquettes fall apart? ›

Why do my potato croquettes fall apart? Croquettes may fall apart during frying if the mixture is too wet. As the croquettes get hot, moisture turns to steam, causing them to get soggy and lose their shape. Adding more of a binding agent (beaten egg and/or flour) should help the mixture stay together.

What is the base of croquettes? ›

A croquette (/kroʊˈkɛt/) is a deep-fried roll originating in French cuisine, consisting of a thick binder combined with a filling, which is then breaded. It is served as a side dish, a snack, or fast food worldwide. The binder is typically a thick béchamel or brown sauce, mashed potatoes, wheat flour or wheat bread.

What do Italians call croquettes? ›

Cazzilli (also known as Crocche) are traditional Italian potato croquettes that are made with mashed potato, salt and pepper, and fresh parsley. They are deep-fried in hot oil until they are golden brown and crunchy.

How do you get the fishy taste out of salmon patties? ›

You can also lessen salmon's strong flavor by soaking it in a milk bath for 20 minutes and then draining it and patting it dry before cooking. The casein in milk binds to the TMA, and when drained away, it takes the culprit that causes fishy odor with it.

How do you know when salmon patties are done? ›

When the salmon burger reaches 145 degrees F, it is done. – If you don't have a thermometer, check that your burger is lightly crisp on the outside and that the meat inside is pink and flaky.

What causes salmon patties to fall apart? ›

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

Why is my salmon falling apart before I cook it? ›

Salmon that's gone bad will often feel almost like it's about to fall apart, or sometimes mushy. Other things to watch for when examining your fish by touch are slimy or sticky residues, both indicators of spoilage.

Why is my cooked salmon falling apart? ›

If the salmon appears mushy or falls apart, it is likely overcooked. Firmness: When you press down gently on the flesh with a fork or your finger, it should feel slightly resistant but still give way easily. Cooked salmon should be firm but still moist.

How do you keep homemade fish cakes from falling apart? ›

Use a potato that is floury, starchy. Breadcrumbs will also work. Up the egg content if using. Especially if you are using pre cooked fish, all the sticky stuff that is contained within fish will have gone, so you need to replace this with a starch or some sort.

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