Crispy Baked Fish Cakes

Featured in Dinner Solutions You'll Love.

Skip frying! Enjoy flavorful baked salmon cakes that stay crispy on the outside and tender inside. Use canned or fresh fish for convenience.

Hannah Author
Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:16:16 GMT
Three golden-brown salmon patties on a plate paired with salad and dipping sauce Pin it
Three golden-brown salmon patties on a plate paired with salad and dipping sauce | recipesbyhannah.com

My grandma's kitchen always smells like these salmon cakes. When you break through that crispy golden crust, you'll find flaky salmon inside that just feels like home. They won't break the bank since we're using canned salmon, but they taste super fancy.

Homestyle Comfort Dish

Grated onion and fresh herbs really make these patties special. The parmesan doesn't just add amazing flavor—it keeps everything juicy and soft too. I always cook extra because they freeze so well for those nights when cooking feels like too much work.

What You Need

  • Fresh leftover salmon or quality canned salmon
  • Bread crumbs that aren't too dry
  • Finely grated onion with some sweetness
  • An egg straight from the farm
  • Freshly grated parmesan, not the powdered stuff
  • Green onions I picked myself
  • Finely chopped fresh garlic
  • My special touch, fresh dill
  • Nice olive oil for that perfect crust
  • Fresh pepper and sea salt

Kitchen Time

Throw It Together
Mix salmon with herbs cheese egg breadcrumbs and onion until everything sticks
Form With Care
Make your patties the right thickness and put them on your lined tray
Cook Your Way
Either coat with oil and bake at 400°F or fry them in a pan until they're crispy
Time To Munch
Enjoy them hot with sauce lemon wedges and some fresh herbs

Ways to Serve

Nothing beats these with some creamy coleslaw and mashed cauliflower on the side. You can serve them as little bites with dips or stack them on soft buns with all your favorite toppings.

My Kitchen Secrets

Don't skip grating the onion, it adds moisture and softness everywhere. For extra crispiness, heat your baking sheet before adding the patties. If you've got fresh salmon hanging around, just cook it up and flake it before mixing.

A close-up of three golden-brown fish cakes served on a bed of creamy coleslaw with a dollop of sauce. Pin it
A close-up of three golden-brown fish cakes served on a bed of creamy coleslaw with a dollop of sauce. | recipesbyhannah.com

Save for Later

They'll stay good in your fridge for around three days. Just heat them in a pan or the oven to keep them crispy. You can freeze what's left for up to two months, which is great when you don't feel like cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I leave the bones in canned salmon?

Totally! The bones soften and blend right into the patties after cooking.

→ Why use grated onion?

The juices from the onion soak the breadcrumbs, making the patties moist and full of flavor.

→ How do I make these gluten-free?

Swap out breadcrumbs with crushed rice crackers or almond flour—they work great!

→ Should I use fresh or canned fish?

Either works! Red salmon has a bolder taste, while pink is milder.

→ Can I store these in the freezer?

Of course! Uncooked patties freeze perfectly for up to three months.

Baked Fish Patties

Crunchy baked salmon cakes with herbs and cheese. Simple to make using canned or fresh fish.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Western

Yield: 4 Servings (12)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 14oz/400g cooked salmon or from a can.
02 A small onion, grated (include any juice).
03 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped.
04 1/3 cup of fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried).
05 1 cup of panko-style breadcrumbs.
06 2 green onions or shallots, thinly sliced.
07 2 eggs, beaten.
08 Half a cup of grated parmesan cheese.
09 1/4 tsp each of salt and black pepper.
10 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
11 A bit of oil spray for coating.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 430°F/220°C (200°C if it's a fan oven).

Step 02

Combine the breadcrumbs with the grated onion, including the juices.

Step 03

Stir together everything except the salmon until blended.

Step 04

Carefully mix in the salmon, leaving some chunks intact.

Step 05

Roll about 1/4 cup of the mixture into patties about 1.5cm thick.

Step 06

Pop a baking tray coated with oil in the oven to heat for 2 minutes.

Step 07

Lay the patties on the hot tray and lightly coat the tops with oil spray.

Step 08

Bake for 15 minutes, flip them over, then spray the tops with oil again.

Step 09

Cook for 5 more minutes until the tops are golden brown.

Step 10

Pair with some yogurt or sour cream and dig in.

Notes

  1. Both canned or freshly cooked salmon work great.
  2. Using grated onion adds extra moisture for tenderness.
  3. Can be made gluten-free with alternative breadcrumbs.
  4. This batch makes roughly 12 patties.

Tools You'll Need

  • A tray to bake on.
  • Some mixing bowls.
  • An ice cream scoop for portioning.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Fish.
  • Eggs.
  • Contains dairy products.
  • May contain gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 400
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 35 g