Salmon Patties are perfect for burgers or as a main dish protein. Made with canned or fresh salmon, breadcrumbs, and a few simple seasonings, these patties are perfect for a quick and healthy meal. Air fried, pan-fried, or oven-baked.
Salmon patties are one of those recipes that I go to for comfort food.
Crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful inside, they're easy enough for a quick weeknight dinner but fancy enough for a casual dinner party.
I love their versatility-you can make them with fresh salmon when you've got some or canned salmon for convenience.
These patties are packed with flavor thanks to dill, smoked paprika, and Old Bay seasoning. The mustard adds a subtle tang, while the breadcrumbs keep them light and hold everything together.
What I appreciate most about salmon patties is how adaptable they are. Whether you pan-fry, air fry, or bake them, they come out golden and delicious every time. Cooking methods are all below.
Plus, you can switch up the flavors or adjust the ingredients to suit your pantry.
Serve them up with rice, potatoes, or salad, alongside your favorite vegetables. They're also awesome as salmon burgers!
If you love salmon, be sure to also try Salmon with Mushroom Sauce or these incredible Salmon Recipes. Or for some seafood, try Seafood Soup or Seafood Chowder.
Love patties? Be sure to also try these tasty Turkey Patties!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Made with everyday ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Pan-fry, air fry, or bake depending on your mood and time.
- Fresh or Canned Salmon: Use what you have-perfect for both special occasions and pantry meals.
- Bursting with Flavor: Dill, smoked paprika, and Old Bay bring a balanced, savory kick.
- Healthy and Wholesome: Packed with protein and omega-3s.
Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets: You can use fresh salmon, or defrosted frozen.
TIP: If using canned salmon, drain it really well and add a little handful more of breadcrumbs. You can skip the food processor and mix it all by hand. - Breadcrumbs: They help to bulk out the salmon cakes - use plain dried breadcrumbs, or Italian seasoned for extra herby flavor. You can substitute finely crushed Ritz crackers.
- Egg: The egg acts to bind the salmon patties.
- Dill: Use chopped fresh dill, or substitute dried.
- Mustard: For a burst of flavor.
- Old Bay Seasoning: For a great seafood flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: A little smoked paprika is great for extra flavor.
- Salt and pepper: to season your fish cakes.
- Oil: for cooking.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
Instructions
For the salmon patties:
Add half the salmon fillet to a food processor, along with the mustard and whiz to make it finer. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
Add the remaining salmon to the food processor along with the egg and process until finer. Pour into the mixing bowl.
TIP: You may be able to process it all at once if you have a large bowl processor.
Add the breadcrumbs, dill, old bay, paprika and salt and pepper to the bowl of fish and stir well to combine.
Form into burger/patty shapes with damp hands.
To Pan Fry
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Cook the salmon patties for about 4 minutes on each side or until golden and cooked through.
To Air Fry
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. With wet hands form small round patties and place in a basket. Fry for 12 minutes at 375°F/190°C or until golden. Flip them over and cook for a further 5 minutes or until cooked through.
To Oven Bake
Preheat the oven to 400F. Lighty oil a baking sheet, or line with baking parchment paper. Add the salmon patties and bake for 15 minutes, then flip them over and bake for a further 5 minutes or until they're golden and cooked through.
Substitutions
- Instead of fresh salmon, you can use frozen (defrosted) or canned (drained well).
- Try swapping to different herbs such as thyme or oregano.
- You can leave out the Old Bay Seasoning, or swap it to cajun or other seasoning blends.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce for a salmon burger.
- Pair with a crisp green salad and a lemony vinaigrette.
- Add to a grain bowl with quinoa, roasted veggies, and a drizzle of tahini dressing.
- Top with a poached egg for a protein-packed brunch.
- Serve as an appetizer with a creamy dill dip or sweet chili sauce.
Variations
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes or a little chilli powder to the salmon mixture to imbue heat into the dish, or chopped jalapenos or other peppers.
- Deluxe - add chopped roasted red peppers and a little harissa paste for heat.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to use fresh salmon, not smoked. It can be frozen and thawed.
- Use a light hand when shaping the patties. You don't want them to be too dense or they'll be difficult to cook evenly.
- Be sure to remove the skin from the salmon before processing.
- Be careful not to overcook the patties. They should be cooked through, but not overcooked or they will dry out.
- If using canned salmon, drain it really well and add a little handful more of breadcrumbs. You can skip the food processor and mix it all by hand.
Equipment
For this simple salmon patties recipe, you will need:
Food processor or blender to whiz up the fresh salmon. If using canned, you can just mix it in a bowl.
The recipe below is for three cooking methods. You'll need either an Air Fryer, Skillet, or Oven.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: Cooked salmon patties can be kept, wrapped, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer or skillet.
Freezing: You can freeze salmon patties. Freeze them with a piece of baking parchment or wax paper between them in a Ziploc bag or airtight freezer container, for up to three months. Thaw and then cook.
FAQ
The addition of egg and breadcrumbs in this recipe will keep them from falling apart. You can swap the breadcrumbs for crushed Ritz or saltine crackers. If the mixture seems dry, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a little water.
📖 Recipe
Salmon Patties
Equipment
- Food processor
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds salmon fillet diced (or 2 x cans salmon, drained)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon dill finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
For the salmon patties:
- Add half the salmon fillet to a food processor, along with the mustard and whiz to make it finer. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining salmon to the food processor along with the egg and process until finer. Pour into the mixing bowl.
- TIP: You may be able to process it all at once if you have a large bowl processor.
- Add the breadcrumbs, dill, Old Bay, paprika and salt and pepper to the bowl of fish and stir well to combine.
- Form into burger/patty shapes with damp hands.
To Pan Fry
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Cook the salmon patties for about 4 minutes on each side or until golden and cooked through.
To Air Fry
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. With wet hands form small round patties and place in a basket. Fry for 12 minutes at 375°F/190°C or until golden. Flip them over and cook for a further 5 minutes or until cooked through
To Oven Bake
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lighty oil a baking sheet, or line with baking parchment paper. Add the salmon patties and bake for 15 minutes, then flip them over and bake for a further 5 minutes or until they're golden and cooked through.
Notes
- Instead of fresh salmon, you can use frozen (defrosted) or canned (drained well).
- Try swapping to different herbs such as thyme or oregano.
- You can leave out the Old Bay Seasoning, or swap it to cajun or other seasoning blends.
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes or a little chilli powder to the salmon mixture to imbue heat into the dish, or chopped jalapenos or other peppers.
- Deluxe - add chopped roasted red peppers and a little harissa paste for heat.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Dana says
These are so tasty and easy to make! love that the recipe uses fresh salmon fillets as opposed to canned. It really does make a difference in flavor and texture!
Nancy says
Tasty salmon Pattie’s. They are perfect for busy weeknights and makes a delicious burger
Lyn says
This recipes was so easy to make and follow! Will definitely make them again.
kat says
These salmon patties were amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing! We had them as salmon burgers. Great way to use up the salmon in my freezer!
Mindy says
So delicious and easy! I even froze a bunch for later. I used it on my salad and will try making salmon burgers this weekend. Wish I could give it 10 stars!
Gloria Sofer says
I love the salmon patties in the oven. I put cilantro ,onion and half jalapeño. Egg and Italian bread crumbs. Delicious.