Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Easy Salmon Cakes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, ready in just 20 minutes. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the secret to perfectly crispy salmon cakes every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes and Crispy Thai Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Why This Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy golden exterior with a tender, flaky salmon center
- Ready in just 20 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
- Better than takeout and packed with protein
What You'll Need for Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 can (14.75 oz) salmon
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Tartar sauce or aioli
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Salmon: Canned or leftover cooked salmon works best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Quickly and easily grate onions for even distribution. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
- Prepare salmon mixture: In a bowl, combine salmon, breadcrumbs, onion, mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form salmon cakes: Shape mixture into 8 equal patties, about 1/4 cup each.
- Cook salmon cakes: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil, then place salmon cakes in skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
- Common mistake and fix: Adding too much liquid can make the mixture soggy. If this happens, add more breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy salmon cakes, refrigerate the formed patties for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Pro tip: To prevent salmon cakes from falling apart, ensure the salmon is well-flaked and the mixture is not too wet.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare salmon cakes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Freeze cooked salmon cakes for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp in a skillet if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Best substitution: Replace canned salmon with 1.5 cups of cooked, flaked fresh salmon.
- Make-ahead: Prepare salmon cakes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If salmon cakes are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or an extra egg to the mixture.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — Retains heat well for even cooking and a crispy exterior. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (14.75 oz) salmon
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Tartar sauce or aioli
Instructions
- Prepare salmon mixture: In a bowl, combine salmon, breadcrumbs, onion, mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form salmon cakes: Shape mixture into 8 equal patties, about 1/4 cup each.
- Cook salmon cakes: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil, then place salmon cakes in skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Best substitution: Replace canned salmon with 1.5 cups of cooked, flaked fresh salmon.
- Make-ahead: Prepare salmon cakes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If salmon cakes are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or an extra egg to the mixture.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon cakes for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp in a skillet if desired.
- Make ahead: Prepare salmon cakes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 115mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes FAQs
Yes, prepare salmon cakes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Adding too much liquid or not enough binder (breadcrumbs, egg) can cause salmon cakes to fall apart. Ensure the mixture is not too wet and add more breadcrumbs if needed.
Yes, cook salmon cakes in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Replace canned salmon with 1.5 cups of cooked, flaked fresh salmon.
Ensure the skillet is hot enough and the salmon cakes are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
