Crispy salmon nuggets are coated in well-seasoned breadcrumbs and then deep-fried to tender golden perfection. This recipe has Whole30 and Paleo options, as well as air fryer and oven instructions. Serve these delicious salmon bites as an appetizer, snack, or main course.
Crispy Salmon Nuggets
Crispy salmon nuggets are the grown-up version of fish sticks and chicken nuggets. No mystery meat or preservatives are involved! With this recipe, you’ll learn how to fry salmon nuggets in just a few easy steps.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Salmon Nuggets Recipe
- Kid Friendly: These salmon bites are the perfect finger food! My sons devour these whenever I make them.
- Easy to Make: Simply chop, season, coat, fry, and serve! I walk you through you each step so the instructions are simple to follow.
- Versatile: The recipe is pretty flexible. You can add or omit any spice you like or do not like. Need something Whole30 compliant or Paleo? I’ve got you covered. You’ll also learn how to make this recipe in the oven or air fryer.
Ingredients for Crispy Salmon Nuggets
All you need is salmon, breadcrumbs, oil, and some seasoning to make magic in the kitchen. Let’s get started!
- Salmon filet: Cleaned and cut into 2-inch nuggets. You can choose to keep the salmon skin on or take it off, it really doesn’t matter but fresh fish works better than frozen fish.
- Lemon juice: Adding lemon juice before cooking helps to avoid adding it while eating the fish and therefore allows for the full crispy effect while eating.
- Seasoning: Use garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a pinch of black pepper.
- Avocado oil: This oil is healthier than vegetable oil and has a high smoke point which makes it ideal for frying.
Coating
- All Purpose Flour: This coats the fish and seals in moisture.
- Bread crumbs: For a delectable, crunchy coating, this ingredient is essential! Use any kind you prefer. Panko breadcrumbs are a tasty option.
- Seasoning: For this recipe dried herbs and spices over fresh green seasoning are the better choice. I use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and parsley flakes.
Whole30 Coating (Alternative)
- Cassava flour: Not only is this flour Whole30 compliant, but it also has more protein and fiber than regular flour.
- Almond meal or coconut flour: Both options are keto friendly and gluten free.
- Seasoning: Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and parsley flakes.
Paleo Coating:
- Paleo Powder: This coating makes the dish Whole30 compliant and Paleo.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Crispy Salmon Nuggets
Slice clean, raw salmon and cut it into 2-inch nuggets. Then add the salmon cubes to a large bowl, sprinkle with lemon juice and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before patting completely dry (with paper towels)
Mix together a teaspoon of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of onion powder, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper, then generously coat the salmon nuggets. Mix together all the ingredients for your coating mix of choice and set aside.
Add oil to a frying pan or skillet on medium heat and bring up to temperature. When oil is hot and you are ready to start frying your nuggets, coat nuggets in the coating mix, shaking off any excess flour, then add nuggets to the hot oil skin side up for frying.
Fry until brown on the side that is in the oil, then flip over to the skin side and continue to fry until the nuggets are completely golden brown. This should take about 3 minutes of total frying time.
Remove the crispy salmon nuggets from the oil and place on a plate lined with sheets of paper towels to drain any excess oil from the fish. Repeat the frying process until all of the nuggets have been fried. Serve nuggets warm with your choice of hot sauce or dipping sauce.
Alternative Ways to Cook Crispy Salmon Nuggets
Pan fried salmon nuggets taste amazing but if you want a slightly healthier version that requires less oil, air fry or bake them instead. Prepare the salmon bites as instructed above (seasoning and coating). Then, here are two alternative methods to cook crispy salmon nuggets:
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F then add the salmon nuggets in a single layer to the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the nuggets with nonstick oil spray (olive oil is good) and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Baked Salmon Bites. Preheat the oven to 425°F and place salmon nuggets on a baking sheet that has either been sprayed with nonstick oil spray or lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Bake them for approximately 10 minutes.
Equipment
- Large Bowl: Use this to season the salmon bites.
- Frying Pan/Skillet: To deep fry the fish.
Storage
After they have completely cooled, store leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 1 month.
To reheat, use the air fryer, oven, or toaster oven. Use the microwave as a last resort because it won’t be as crispy.
Tips for the Best Crispy Salmon Nuggets
- Remember to season the coating and not just the fish. Please don’t skip this step. It makes a huge difference in the flavor of your salmon nuggets. I love to season my coating for anything I fry. Here you can add a little spice to kick it up the heat too.
- Season the coating with dried herbs and spices. Using green seasoning (a Caribbean Holy Grail for seasoning protein) makes the fish soggy and since salmon is already an “oily” fish we want it to remain as dry as possible before frying or you will end up with a soggy mess.
- No need to marinate for a long period. Seasoning the fish just before frying is the best option for these.
- For super crispy salmon nuggets, coat the fish just before frying. Coating the nuggets and letting them sit before frying will make the coating soggy.
- Shake off any excess coating in order to prevent the fish from burning.
- You can shallow fry and use significantly less oil than this recipe requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salmon is an excellent source of healthy fats, protein, potassium, and Omega 3’s. These salmon nuggets are coated in bread crumbs and deep fried so they aren’t the healthiest option but they are just fine in moderation. This recipe also includes variations for Whole30 or Paleo, as well as baked or air fried.
The best way to ensure your salmon nuggets get crispy is to completely dry the salmon before seasoning it. Also, ensure you use enough oil to coat the pan so the nuggets are properly browned and crisp. Otherwise, they will burn and not have that crunch.
These taste great with a hot sauce or dipping sauce (like tartar sauce) of your choice. Serve them with fries, over rice, in tacos, or with a salad.
Crispy Salmon Nuggets
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of salmon filet cleaned and cut into 2 inch nuggets
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon of salt
- pinch of black pepper
- 2 cups of Avocado oil
Coating
- 1 cup of All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup of bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of parsley flakes
- Pinch of black pepper
Whole30 Coating
- 1 cup of cassava flour
- 1/2 cup of almond meal or coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of parsley flakes
Paleo Coating:
Instructions
- Add the nuggets to a large bowl, sprinkle with lemon juice and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before patting completely dry (with paper towels)
- Mix together a teaspoon of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of onion powder, 3/4 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of black pepper, then generously coat the salmon nuggets
- Mix together all the ingredients for your coating mix of choice and set aside
- Add oil to a frying pan or skillet on medium heat and bring up to temperature
- When oil is hot and you are ready to start frying your nuggets, coat nuggets in the coating mix, shaking off any excess flour, then add nuggets to the hot oil skin side up for frying
- Fry until brown on the side that is in the oil, then flip over to the skin side and continue to fry until the nuggets are completely golden brown, This should take about 3 minutes of total frying time
- Remove the crispy salmon nuggets from the oil and place on a plate lined with sheets of paper towels to drain any excess oil from the fish
- Repeat the frying process until all of the nuggets have been fried
- Serve nuggets warm with your choice of hot sauce or dipping sauce
Notes
Nutrition
The information listed in the recipe card is an estimate provided by an online nutrition tool. The tool evaluates ingredient names and amounts then makes calculations based on the number of servings listed for the recipe. It is provided as a general guideline and not as a precise calculation. For precise nutrition information please feel free to add the ingredients to your preferred nutrition calculator or consult a doctor or licensed nutritionist.
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Lisa s Says
Looks delicious ???? – don’t usually fry salmon but will do so soon – thanks for recipe and idea
Althea Brown Says
You’re welcome and let me know how it comes out.
Katrina Says
This recipe looks great!
If Using an air fryer, what would be the recommended temperature and cooking time?
Althea Brown Says
I haven’t tried it in the air fryer. Only recently got one so I’m not sure. Sorry.
ELIZABETH Says
How could you do the frying in the air fryer so as not to use all the oil?