Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Easy Salmon Cakes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready in just 20 minutes. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the secret to perfectly crispy salmon cakes every time. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Roasted Broccoli and Refreshing Pineapple Margarita Mocktail.
Why This Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy golden exterior
- Tender, flaky salmon interior
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Perfect for busy weeknights
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 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Dijon mustard
- Fresh dill
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Tartar sauce
- Optional: Aioli
- Optional: Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Salmon: Canned or leftover cooked salmon works best.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs work best for crispy texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Ensures even texture and quick prep → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
- Prepare ingredients: Drain salmon and mix with breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, dill, mayonnaise, mustard, and eggs. Season with salt and pepper.
- Form patties: Shape mixture into 8 equal patties, about 1/3 cup each. Chill for 10 minutes.
- Cook salmon cakes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve: Serve salmon cakes hot with your choice of toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the salmon mixture. Overmixing can lead to tough salmon cakes. Mix until just combined.
- Time-saving tip: Form salmon patties ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of garlic powder to the salmon mixture for extra flavor.
- Crispy exterior: Press salmon patties firmly to compact them and ensure a crispy exterior.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover salmon cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Form salmon patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Freezing Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Freeze uncooked salmon cakes for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to cooking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a food processor to pulse the salmon and breadcrumbs for even texture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned tuna for salmon if needed.
- Make-ahead: Form salmon patties ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- 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 — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked salmon cakes → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (14.75 oz) salmon
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Dijon mustard
- Fresh dill
- Garlic powder (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce
- Aioli
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Drain salmon and mix with breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, dill, mayonnaise, mustard, and eggs. Season with salt and pepper.
- Form patties: Shape mixture into 8 equal patties, about 1/3 cup each. Chill for 10 minutes.
- Cook salmon cakes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve: Serve salmon cakes hot with your choice of toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a food processor to pulse the salmon and breadcrumbs for even texture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned tuna for salmon if needed.
- Make-ahead: Form salmon patties ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If salmon cakes are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or an extra egg to the mixture.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover salmon cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked salmon cakes for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to cooking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Make ahead: Form salmon patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe in 20 Minutes FAQs
Yes, form salmon patties ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook. You can also freeze uncooked salmon cakes for up to 2 months.
If salmon cakes are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or an extra egg to the mixture. Overmixing can also cause salmon cakes to fall apart.
Yes, place salmon cakes on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Serve salmon cakes with a side of roasted vegetables, quinoa, or a fresh salad. Try my Easy Roasted Broccoli or Refreshing Pineapple Margarita Mocktail for a complete meal.
Press salmon patties firmly to compact them and ensure a crispy exterior. Use a non-stick skillet and make sure the oil is hot before adding the patties.
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!
