These Child-Pleasant Salmon Patties are a easy, nutritious dinner- and a good way to make use of up leftover salmon. Mildly seasoned with a crispy panko coating, this recipe is a good way to introduce your children to fish!

Why We Love These Simple Salmon Patties
I believe these salmon patties occupy a candy spot in household cooking that’s genuinely laborious to search out: they’re nutritious sufficient to really feel like a parenting win, easy sufficient to make on a busy weeknight, and interesting sufficient that children request them once more. Right here’s what makes these little golden disks such a dependable dinner alternative.
- Child-approved taste with mild seasoning
- Excessive in protein and omega-3s for mind and coronary heart well being
- Hidden veggies for additional diet
- Baked, pan-fried, or air-fried choices
- Freezer-friendly for straightforward meal prep
Prepared in simply half-hour, these salmon patties work superbly for weeknight dinners, make-ahead meals, or freezer cooking. Serve them as mini patties for little fingers or as full-size desserts for the entire household.

The Secret to Patties That Don’t Fall Aside
The primary grievance about do-it-yourself salmon patties is that they crumble throughout cooking, leaving you with a tragic pile of salmon scramble as a substitute of lovely golden desserts. The excellent news is that stopping this catastrophe comes right down to understanding a number of key strategies that make all of the distinction between success and frustration.
Getting the Moisture Steadiness Proper
Salmon patty mixtures want sufficient moisture to bind collectively however not a lot that they flip soggy. The egg and Greek yogurt present binding energy and richness, whereas the panko breadcrumbs take in extra liquid and create construction. In case your combination seems moist and received’t maintain a form while you press it, add an additional tablespoon or two of panko earlier than chilling. You need a combination that feels prefer it might nearly kind a ball in your fingers however isn’t sticky or runny.
Why Chilling Is Non-Negotiable
That 10-minute relaxation within the fridge isn’t elective—it’s the only most necessary step for structural integrity. Chilling permits the panko to completely take in moisture from the combination and lets the proteins within the egg start to set barely. Once you attempt to kind and cook dinner patties instantly after mixing, they’re mushy and vulnerable to falling aside when flipped. Chilly patties maintain their form superbly and develop a greater crust as a result of they don’t unfold out once they hit the warmth.
Cooking Technique Variations
- Air Fryer: 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping as soon as
- Crispier patties: Evenly spray tops with oil earlier than baking
- No-oil possibility: Bake solely—nonetheless golden and scrumptious
Make-Forward & Freezer Suggestions:
- Refrigerate: Retailer cooked patties for as much as 3 days
- Freeze: Freeze raw patties on a sheet pan, then retailer in a freezer bag as much as 2 months
- Prepare dinner from frozen: Add 3–5 minutes to baking time

Extra Child-Pleasant Fish Recipes:
Child-Pleasant Salmon Patties
These Child-Pleasant Salmon Patties are a easy, nutritious dinner- and a good way to make use of up leftover salmon!
Servings: 6
- 14-15 oz recent or canned salmon drained and flaked
- 1/2-1 cup cooked quinoa elective
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced purple bell pepper
- 1 massive egg
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs divided
- 2 tbsp finely chopped recent parsley elective
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tbsp recent lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to style about 1/4 tsp every
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
-
Sauté the veggies: Warmth 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium warmth. Add onion and purple bell pepper and cook dinner 3–5 minutes, till mushy. Take away from warmth and let cool barely.
-
Combine the patties: In a big bowl, gently flake the salmon. Add the quinoa, cooked greens, egg, Greek yogurt or mayo, ¼ cup panko, parsley, dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir simply till mixed, retaining the salmon flaky.
-
Chill & form: Refrigerate the combination for 10 minutes to assist it agency up. Type into 10–12 small patties, about 2–3 inches large. Coat every patty within the remaining ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs.
-
Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place patties on a parchment-lined, evenly oiled baking sheet. Bake 12–quarter-hour, flipping midway.
-
Pan-fry: Warmth remaining olive oil in a skillet and cook dinner patties 3–4 minutes per aspect till golden.
-
Relaxation & serve: Let patties relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving.
