Crispy, bite-sized fried salmon nuggets are made without breadcrumbs or panko, yet remain light, crisp, and golden brown thanks to the secret ingredient. These pan-seared wonders take a quick dip in a marinade, then are pan-fried to perfection in 5 minutes.
Cornstarch is the secret ingredient to a golden, extra-crispy crust on these salmon nuggets. Cornstarch has properties that lend themselves well to pan-frying and roasting. Best of all, the cornstarch seals in the fish's juiciness, so each bite is tender and delicious.
To quote America's Test Kitchen, "Interestingly, cornstarch contains 25 to 28 percent amylose, which is higher than the amount in wheat or potato starch (which are 20 to 22 percent amylose), and this is why cornstarch works the best for making crispy coatings on fried foods."
Salmon lovers rejoice! This quick meal is an excellent way to feed your family while reaping the health benefits of wild salmon. This easy salmon recipe is a delicious dinner the whole family will enjoy, even the fussy eater in your house.
Kids and adults alike love the crispy texture of these bite-sized pieces of salmon. These little salmon bites are an easy dinner and a great option for feeding a family. They are wonderful served on top of a salad or over a big bed of rice to make a salmon bowl with your favorite veggies.
For best results, serve this delicious recipe of cooked salmon bites with tartar sauce, a squeeze of lemon juice, your favorite dipping sauce, or even my tangy smash sauce, a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and pickles.
As a side dish, try my recipe for rapini with garlic and olive Oil, or my cold pasta salad with farfalle.
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Ingredients
Here is a summary of the ingredients you'll need to make these crispy fried salmon nuggets:
Ingredient Notes
- If organic wild salmon is available at the grocery store, I'll buy this over farm-raised salmon, which tends to have antibiotics in the feed.
- Cornstarch is an essential ingredient because it creates a thick marinade that coats the salmon and helps it crisp up when you fry it.
- Sriracha is a brand name for a spicy, sweet, garlicky hot sauce. It is a great way to add spiciness and sweetness to the marinade, and it adds tons of flavor.
See the recipe card below for all the ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions
- Lemon or lime juice is a good substitute for red wine vinegar.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce. It's the perfect amount of saltiness. If you only have the regular soy sauce, reduce the quantity to half a tablespoon.
- Substitute tamari for soy sauce for a gluten-free version of this marinade.
- Substitute ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or your favorite chili sauce for the Sriracha.
Variations
- I sometimes add a minced garlic clove and one tablespoon of freshly grated ginger to the marinade.
- Try adding the zest of one lime to the marinade as a variation.
How to Make Fried Salmon Bites
Step-by-step-Instructions
This marinade is simple. It adds umami to pan-fried salmon, making it my go-to recipe for crispy salmon nuggets.
Make marinade. In a small bowl, add the marinade ingredients and whisk to dissolve any lumps and combine.
Pour marinade over salmon. Add the salmon to a large bowl, pour the marinade over the salmon, and toss to coat. Let the salmon marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Pan fry. Add the olive oil to a 12-inch nonstick skillet and heat it over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the salmon to the pan and cook on one side for 3-4 minutes without flipping.
Flip salmon. Flip the salmon and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes, or until the center reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serve. Serve the crispy salmon bites on a bed of basmati rice, topped with broccoli or your favorite vegetables, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy ♥️
Secrets for Success
- Marinate for no more than 15 minutes to preserve the salmon's flakiness and texture.
- Use cornstarch, not all-purpose flour, to make the fried salmon nuggets as crispy as possible.
- Always buy fresh fish. This means when you buy salmon, there should not be any fishy odor.
Storage
Store the cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
The salmon is best reheated slowly in the microwave at low power. If you reheat the salmon at full power, you risk drying it out.
My top tip would be to serve the leftover salmon cold, added to a salad; this is my favorite way to finish up leftovers 😋
FAQ
No. Fish is delicate, and the acid from the vinegar and other ingredients will destroy the integrity of the salmon. Less is more for this marinade, and you won't ruin a nice piece of fish.
Serve the salmon with a bowl of sticky rice or rice noodles. Green vegetables like broccoli, sautéed spinach, green beans, or bok choi are among our favorite veggies to eat alongside salmon.
Recipe
Fried Salmon Nuggets
Equipment
- small bowl
- measuring spoons
- whisk
- large bowl
- 12-inch nonstick skillet
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1 pound fresh salmon, boneless, skinless, center-cut piece, about 2 inches thick, sliced into 1½-inch by 1½-inch bite-sized pieces.
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha, Sriracha is a brand name. This is a chili-garlic sauce that is slightly sweet and spicy.
Optional Garnishes
- sliced green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Make marinade. In a small bowl, add the marinade ingredients and stir with a whisk to break up lumps and combine.2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Sriracha
- Pour marinade over salmon. Add the salmon to a large bowl, pour the marinade over the salmon, and toss to coat. Let the salmon marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.1 pound fresh salmon
- Pan fry. Add the olive oil to a 12-inch nonstick skillet and heat it over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the salmon to the pan and cook on one side for 3-4 minutes without flipping.1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Flip salmon. Flip the salmon and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes, or until the center reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve. Serve the crispy salmon bites on a bed of basmati rice, topped with broccoli or your favorite vegetables, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy ♥️
Jenica says
This was delicious and quick. I love how crispy the salmon got. Yum 😋
Next time I'll try adding some more seasoning and replace the vinegar with lemon.
Donna Poirier says
Thanks Jenica, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the salmon and great idea to try lemon juice next time 🙂
Frank says
I love this recipe ! So so good, each time we make it !
Donna Poirier says
Thank you 🙂