These salmon croquettes are a great way to enjoy canned salmon. They are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and have just enough flavor to make them taste amazing!
Southern-style salmon croquettes
Salmon croquettes are a delicious, versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or accompaniment to other meals.
They are made by combining cooked salmon with a variety of ingredients, such as breadcrumbs, onion, and seasonings, to form a patty shape. When pan-fried, they create a crispy outside and a moist, flavorful inside.
They are also easy enough for kids to help with, so invite your little ones into the kitchen and get them involved!
What is Salmon Croquette?
Salmon croquettes are savory dish made from salmon, flavored with herbs and spices, shaped into patties or balls, and then pan-fried or baked. The croquettes have a crunchy outer layer and a flavorful, flaky inside.
Making a good salmon croquette needs a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The balanced flavors and crispy texture makes the taste really stand out.
The trickiest part of making salmon croquettes is getting the consistency right—you don’t want them too thick or too thin. If they are too thick, they won’t cook through properly; too thin means they won’t hold their shape when cooked. To avoid this problem, mix all your ingredients together by hand until just combined; don’t overdo it!
A Classic Appetizer
Salmon Croquettes are a classic Southern dish that are easy to make and full of flavor! You can make them with canned salmon, which makes them a great way to get your protein while still enjoying a tasty meal. They are lightly breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside, while still being soft and tender on the inside. Serve them up with your favorite sides for a delicious meal!
These classic Southern appetizers symbolize everything we love about southern cooking, simple ingredients, and simple technique. Of course, I also added some of my flairs to the mix!
It is budget-friendly and easy to make in all seasons. You can also try my other salmon recipes like Hearty Salmon stew and Air Fryer Salmon.
Serve them with a side of tartar sauce, mustard, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauce
Ingredients for making Salmon Croquettes
You need a list of simple and basic ingredients that don’t cost much. In fact, you will likely find all the ingredients in your pantry.
Flour: You will need flour to bind the ingredients together.
Yellow cornmeal: To give the croquettes a bit of crunch, you will also need yellow cornmeal
Canned salmon: This is the star ingredient. You will need a can of salmon for this recipe; fresh can also be used if preferred.
Red bell pepper: adds a nice sweetness, pop of color, and flavor
Onion: adds flavor profile to these salmon croquettes.
Egg: It helps to hold the croquettes together and gives them a light, fluffy texture.
Mayonnaise: helps to make the croquettes moist on the inside
Lemon juice: It adds a tangy note that balances out the flavor of the canned salmon.
Dijon mustard: It helps to give them a subtle, spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the salmon.
Worcestershire sauce: It adds a savory depth of flavor that helps to enhance the overall flavor of the salmon.
Garlic powder: adds an excellent depth of flavor.
Paprika: A bit of paprika adds a sweet earthy flavor.
Salt: It helps to bring out the flavor of the other ingredients – A little goes a long way.
Black pepper: Ground black pepper adds a bit of heat
Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds an extra note of fresh flavor
Oil for frying: Finally, you will need oil for frying the croquettes
Substitutes:
You can substitute the cornmeal with dried bread crumbs.
How to make Salmon Croquettes
Here is how to make salmon croquettes:
Mix together the salmon and breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl.
Form the mixture into small balls, then flatten them out into patties.
Form the mixture into patties.
Fry them in hot oil until golden brown on both sides.
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or sides.
Tips for making Salmon croquettes
When forming the croquettes, handle them gently; if you overwork the mixture, it will result in tough patties.
Use enough oil when frying the croquettes so they can cook evenly and not stick to the pan. It’s best to use a cast iron skillet or nonstick pan.
Medium-high heat gives the patties the best chance to cook through and brown evenly.
How to Store Leftovers?
Refrigerator: Leftover salmon croquettes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place them in an airtight container, and make sure to consume them within that time frame.
Freezer: You can store both cooked and uncooked salmon croquettes in an airtight container or freezer-safe ziplock bag and freeze them. Frozen salmon croquettes can last up to 2 months in the freezer.
How to reheat salmon croquettes:
You can reheat leftover salmon croquettes by frying them again in the pan, heating the oven, or air frying.
Air fry – arrange the salmon croquettes in the air fryer and reheat them at 360°F. It will be ready in about 5 minutes.
Bake – place your croquettes on the baking dish and cover them with foil. Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until the croquettes are heated through.
Pan Fry – To reheat, fry it again in the pan with oil. You don’t need to leave it thawing out beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions on Salmon Croquettes
Can I use canned salmon to make croquettes?
Yes, you can use canned salmon to make croquettes. In fact, that is my preference because it saves a whole lot of time.
How can I prevent Salmon Croquettes from falling apart?
The binding agents in the ingredients are eggs and breadcrumbs. If your croquettes don’t bind well, it is either too wet to form a shape or too dry to stick together.
When it is too dry, you can sprinkle water to wet it. If it is too wet, you can add more breadcrumbs.
Can I make Salmon Croquettes Ahead?
Yes, you can make salmon croquettes ahead of time. To do so, form the croquettes into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Cover the sheet with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook (not more than two days). When ready to cook, pan-fry the croquettes in oil until golden brown.
You can also store them in the freezer, and they can last up to 2 months.
Which is best Canned or Fresh salmon?
Both canned and fresh salmon are excellent options for salmon croquettes. Canned salmon is a great option if you are looking for convenience and affordability, while fresh salmon offers more texture. It all depends on your tastes and preferences.
Can I bake Salmon Croquettes?
Yes, you can bake Salmon Croquettes in the oven at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes. Make sure to turn them halfway through baking for even cooking.
What to serve with Salmon Croquettes?
Croquettes are great appetizers that you can eat alone combined with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce or aioli.
They are great served with a variety of side dishes. Some classic options include mashed potatoes, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, rice, steamed vegetables, or a salad.
You are gonna gobble these salmon croquettes Southern style. These Crispy fish patties are made with simple ingredients that give them a warm homey taste.
Drain water completely from the salmon and debone if you choose.
Add flour and cornmeal to a large bowl and mix. Then add the salmon, bell peppers, onion, egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, parsley, and egg.
Season with salt, and pepper to taste. Then mix until everything is just combined (don't over mix) and shape into about 6 to 8 patties.
Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the patties in batches and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown on the outside and cooked through inside.
Drain on a paper towel and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Let’s connect on YouTube,Facebook, andInstagram. I love keeping in touch with you; nothing brings me more joy than seeing pictures of your creations. Tag me @cheflolaskitchen on Instagram and Facebook.
gladys maya
Sunday 1st of May 2022
Love your recipes. They're relatable to we Africans.
Chef Lola's Kitchen
Friday 6th of May 2022
Thank you. 🙂