Baked Salmon Snack Bites (Printable)
Tender salmon bites coated crisp, ideal as a healthy appetizer or protein-rich snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salmon Mixture
01 - 8.8 oz skinless salmon fillet, finely diced
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise (or dairy-free alternative)
04 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
05 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1 tsp lemon zest
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Coating
11 - 2.1 oz panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ To Serve (optional)
13 - Lemon wedges
14 - Fresh dill or parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix diced salmon, egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chives, parsley, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well incorporated.
03 - In a shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until crumbs are evenly coated.
04 - Using damp hands, shape the salmon mixture into 20 small balls, approximately 1 heaping tablespoon each.
05 - Roll each salmon ball in the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
07 - Serve warm with lemon wedges and garnish with fresh dill or parsley as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're baked, not fried, so you get all the crunch with half the guilt.
- Twenty bites means you can freeze half and have an instant appetizer whenever someone drops by.
- The mayonnaise keeps everything impossibly tender—a trick I wish I'd known sooner.
02 -
- Don't skip wetting your hands when shaping—dry hands make the mixture stick and your bites fall apart, which I learned the embarrassing way.
- The mayo is not a mistake; it's the secret to keeping these tender and moist inside, even after they've cooled.
03 -
- Keep your hands slightly damp when shaping—it's the difference between smooth bites and a frustrating mess.
- Don't skip the parchment paper; it saves your sanity at cleanup and prevents any sticking.