Delicious crispy baked salmon nuggets made using fresh salmon fillets
Salmon
Salmon is one of those foods that I am always trying to get my kids to eat. It is a really great source protein for growing bodies, not to mention an excellent way to get essential Omega-3 fatty acids or “healthy fats” into them. It’s no wonder salmon is known as brain food!
That all being said, it’s not always easy to get our little ones to eat salmon. Chicken nuggets, are a favourite but I’m going to share today my fool-proof recipe that will have the whole family begging you to make these crispy salmon nuggets time and time again!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Salmon Recipe!
So we know fish is good for us, but like I said before getting a fussy eater or even a non fussy child to eat a piece of salmon or other fresh fish in it’s natural form can be challenging to say the least!
But by turning them into these little crispy seasoned salmon pieces makes them slightly less daunting to kids who may already be familiar with things like fish fingers or chicken nuggets.
And by baking them in the oven, they make a healthier alternative to cooking them in a frying pan or deep fat fryer.
If you have an airfryer, you could even make them as air fryer salmon nuggets instead of baking in the oven!
Ingredients You Will Need For The Salmon Nuggets
- skinless salmon fillets – I use fresh Norwegian salmon fillets cut into salmon cubes. You can use any type of salmon filets but remember to remove the salmon skin is not using skinless ones!
- plain flour
- eggs
- panko breadcrumbs – this makes the nuggets super crispy!
- dried mixed herbs
- salt & pepper
Easy Recipe
This recipe is also really easy to make. It literally takes 4-5 minutes to prep the nuggets and just 12 minutes to bake in the oven.
I usually chop some baby potatoes into wedges and chuck them into the oven at the same time to cook.
So simple and a complete meal ready in less than 20 minutes! This easy dinner would be perfect for a busy mid-week meal.
And if your kids are still dubious, then maybe try serving with some sort of dipping sauce or their favorite sauce that they are already familiar with like some of the following options:
- ketchup
- tartar sauce
- soy sauce
- mayonnaise
Or just serve with lemon wedges on the side and let them squeeze on their own lemon juice!
You can also get the kids involved in making them. My daughter loves to help me and it’s great to see her get enthusiastic about her food!
Salmon Nugget Storage Instructions
These nuggets are great for batch cooking meaning you can have them prepped and ready to go when you need them. The best and easiest way to to do this is to freeze them after making them but before cooking them.
After Step 3 in the method section, add the nuggets to a tray or plate in a single layer. Freeze for a couple of hours until they are hard and then transfer into a freezer bag or airtight container where they will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
If cooking from frozen, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
For the full recipe check out the video or written instructions below (and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to stay up to date on all my videos!).
And if you try this recipe please do leave me a comment and a star rating below. Let me know what you think!
Or tag me in a picture on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #myfussyeater. I love seeing all your pictures!
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Crispy Baked Salmon Nuggets
Prep Time: 5 mins- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 17 minutes
Yield: 2–3 1x
Category: Main Meal
Method: Baked
Cuisine: European
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Delicious crispy baked salmon nuggets made using fresh salmon fillets.
Ingredients
- 2 Norwegian Salmon fillets
- 40g / ⅓ cup plain flour
- 2 eggs
- 40g / 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- If using skin on salmon fillets, remove the skin from them first and then and chop them into bite sized chunks or just chop into chunks if using skinless fillets.
- In one bowl add the flour. In a second bowl crack in the eggs and whisk with a fork. In a third bowl add the panko breadcrumbs and mix in the dried herbs and salt and pepper to taste.
- Make the nuggets by taking one chunk of salmon, coating it in the flour, dip it in the egg and then sprinkle on the breadcrumbs. Repeat until all the nuggets have been made.
- Lightly grease a baking dish and place the nuggets onto it. Bake in the oven at 220c for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
If you want to batch cook and freeze these nuggets it’s best to freeze after making them but before cooking. After step 3 add the nuggets to a tray or plate in a single layer. Freeze for a couple of hours then transfer to a bag or container for up to 2 months. To cook, simply cook as per the instructions above, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
If you enjoyed this recipe, then you might also like:
These Tuna & Sweetcorn Bites are a great way to introduce fish to fussy eaters. Small bites of mashed potato, tuna and sweetcorn in a crispy coating.
Healthy Airfryer Fish Finger Sandwich
Comfort food can still be healthy! These super tasty Fish Finger Sandwiches are lightly coated in breadcrumbs and then air fried for a crunchy coating!
Keira says
Our new favorite recipe for salmon! We made an aioli with sriracha and vegenaise to go with it and it was so good! Thank you for the recipe!
★★★★★
Vicky says
That’s sounds like a a amazing compliment to go with these nuggets. We will have to try. So glad you enjoy these. Please share photos of your creations with us on Facebook and Instagram, we love seeing them. Enjoy!
Ronnie says
So good! Clean plates without complaints from my 5 and 3 year olds! Thanks for sharing the recipe
★★★★★
Rachel says
Is there a good substitution for the egg?
Bianca Carey Spencer says
Hi Rachel! Have you tried flax egg as a substitute before? We have instructions over on the blog on how to make flax egg here: https://www.myfussyeater.com/make-flax-egg/
Anna says
These look great, I’m wondering about trying them in the air fryer…would that work do you think?
Bianca Carey Spencer says
Hi Anna! We’ve not tried them in the airfryer but that should be absolutely fine! If you do try them in the airfryer, please come back and let us know how you got on!
Carla Bellis says
Could you make these gluten free?
Bianca Carey Spencer says
Hi Carla, we haven’t tried them with gluten free substitutes, so not sure how they would turn out but yes you could certainly swap out both the flour and the breadcrumbs for gluten free alternatives. If you do try it, do let us know how they turn out!
Sophia says
What herbs did you use? I look forward to making these!
Bianca Carey Spencer says
Hi Sophia, the mixed herbs jars we use, typically comprise of basil, marjoram, oregano and thyme. Hope you enjoy the nuggetd!
Kerly says
This was a great idea!!! Very easy to make and very tasty!
Definitely worth the try
★★★★
Emma says
Thank you so much for this recipe. Recently I have not been able to get my daughter to eat fish but she absolutely loved these! I will certainly be making them again. I’m hoping to make a big batch next time and freeze some. Can you tell me how long they should take to cook from frozen?
★★★★★
Lakshmi Uthale says
Thank you so much for the yummy recipe.. My fussy 3 year old daughter just loved it…
★★★★★
Tamara says
Brilliant recipe and perfect for getting my 9 and 10 year olds to eat salmon. I lightly toasted breadcrumbs made from old bread in the oven to make the breadcrumb which works well as nice and crispy.
★★★★★
Rebecca says
Delicious. Thought I was wasting my time as my little one is extremely fussy! But they went down a storm thanks xx
Alisa says
Yum! A hit with my toddler and his friends !
★★★★★
Megan says
I made these for my 3yr old tonight and he devoured them. I think they’ll become part of my rotation of meals. Thank you
★★★★★
Carlene says
Can these be frozen once cooked?
Alex adam says
Oh wow!!! If I could kiss you I would!! Just made this meal for my notoriously fussy 10yr old and my 28month old. My 10 year old said it was best meal she’s had in ages (which believe me made me literally well up with tears as she is the ultimate fussy eater) and my 18month old tucked in despite been off colour and off his food today. Happy days thank you soooo much. I am definitely going to give your other recepies a go.
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
Oh wow, that’s brilliant!
Brooke says
Really enjoyed making these with my little man and they tasted so good!
★★★★★
Laura says
Delicious, we both had these for dinner tonight! Thank you
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
Thanks Laura!
Sarah says
Do you need to prebake the Salmon?
Ciara Attwell says
Nope they cook under the breadcrumbs in the oven!
Gabby says
Just what the doctor orededr, thankity you!
kathryn says
can you freeze these for later as well?
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
Yes you can! Make them up as usual but don’t cook. Freeze them in a single layer and then transfer to a freezer bag!
Kelly says
Hi when you say freeze in a single layer what does this mean?
Also how did you defrost these?
Ciara Attwell says
Freezing in a single layer means having them laid out on a plate or tray, not touching, so that they don’t stick together when they freeze. You can then cook them from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.