Our gluten-free salmon cakes can be made with canned or fresh salmon, blended with gluten-free breadcrumbs, mayo, celery, and seasonings. Serves as is with your favorite dipping sauce or on a salad, sandwich, or in a wrap. Dairy-free.
Salmon cakes, also known as salmon patties, are prepped and ready to serve in under 20 minutes. A delicious weeknight dinner option! Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, this salmon recipe is kid approved.
For more kid favorites, check out our Kid-Friendly Meatloaf, Blueberry Spinach Smoothie, Gluten Free Fried Chicken and Tater Tot Casserole recipes.
Table of Contents
Salmon Cakes Recipe
While my family could eat chicken every night for dinner, we do change up the dinner routine from time to time. What’s a better way than with these delicious gluten-free salmon cakes!
Salmon provides us with Omega-3 fatty acids, essential fatty acids that we can only obtain through foods we eat (our bodies cannot make them) along with vitamin D and B-vitamins. Packed with nutrients needed for growth and development, we were inspired to create a salmon recipe approved by kids.
You will be amazed how quickly your kids scarf down this recipe. Even the pickiest of eaters will approve! Pair with your kiddos’ favorite dipping sauce or toss on a gluten-free bun for an alternative to burgers. Regardless of how you choose to serve your salmon patties, it is our hope your family enjoys each and every bite.
To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions below or use the printable recipe card for step-by-step directions.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/3 cup minced celery
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons celery leaves, chopped
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard ✅
- 3/4 teaspoon seasoning salt ✅
- 14.5 ounce canned salmon, bones and skin removed ✅
- 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs we used Ians
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make Salmon Patties
In the medium-sized mixing bowl combine the mayo, celery, egg, celery leaves, Dijon mustard, and seasoning salt. Add the salmon and breadcrumbs and mix well.
Ingredient substitutes: almond flour, crushed potato chips, or crushed gf crackers instead of gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Form the salmon cakes
Using a large cookie scoop roll the salmon cakes into balls then gently flatten them. Place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat until all the cakes are formed.
Fry the salmon cakes
Heat the olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Place the salmon cakes into the skillet (you may need to do two rounds depending on the size of your pan).
Cook for 4 minutes, flip, then cook another 4 minutes. Remove from the pan and place onto a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve
Serve hot or cold with your favorite dipping sauce or use on a salad, in a wrap or on a sandwich.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salmon patties are very versatile making it easy to serve with Green Beans, Brussels Sprout Apple Salad, Broccoli Salad without Mayo, or your family’s favorite veggie dish.
Fresh or canned salmon can be used when making salmon patties. You can even opt to use frozen then thawed salmon.
If using fresh or frozen then thawed salmon, cook 1lb thoroughly before combining with ingredients. For an easy guide to cooking salmon, check out How to Bake Salmon in the Oven.
From ranch dressing and tartar sauce to siracha mayonnaise, our preference is a creamy dipping sauce for salmon cakes.
Leftover patties can be frozen by placing in an airtight container once cooled. Keep frozen up to 3 months, reheating in the oven or microwave once defrosted as desired.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- To mince celery means to chop into very small pieces. This way when you bite into the salmon cake you don’t bite into a chunk of celery.
- The thicker you make the salmon cakes, the longer it will take to cook.
- Placing the cooked salmon cakes onto a paper towel will allow the towel to soak up any excess oil.
More Seafood Recipes For Kids
- Salmon Patties in Air Fryer
- Canned Salmon Pasta Recipe
- Gluten Free Crab Cakes
- The Best Gluten Free Fish and Chips
- Salmon Buddha Bowl
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Gluten Free Salmon Cakes
Equipment
- baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- large cookie scoop
- plate lined with paper toweling
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/3 cup minced celery
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons celery leaves, chopped
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard ✅
- 3/4 teaspoon seasoning salt ✅
- 14.5 ounce canned salmon, bones and skin removed ✅
- 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs we used Ians
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients. In the medium-sized mixing bowl combine the mayo, celery, egg, celery leaves, dijon mustard, and seasoning salt. Add the salmon and breadcrumbs and mix well.1/2 cup mayo, 1/3 cup minced celery, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons celery leaves, chopped, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 3/4 teaspoon seasoning salt, 14.5 ounce canned salmon, bones and skin removed, 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Form the salmon cakes. Using a large cookie scoop roll the salmon cakes into balls then gently flatten them. Place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat until all the cakes are formed.
- ⭐️ Fry the salmon cakes. Heat the olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Place the salmon cakes into the skillet (you may need to do two rounds depending on the size of your pan). Cook for 4 minutes, flip, then cook another 4 minutes. Remove from the pan and place onto a paper towel-lined plate.2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Serve. Serve hot or cold with your favorite dipping sauce or use on a salad, in a wrap or on a sandwich.
Notes
Tips
- Fresh or canned salmon can be used when making salmon patties. You can even opt to use frozen then thawed salmon. If using fresh or frozen then thawed salmon, cook 1lb thoroughly before combining with ingredients. For an easy guide to cooking salmon, check out How to Bake Salmon in the Oven.
- Serve with Green Beans, Brussels Sprout Apple Salad, Broccoli Salad without Mayo, or your family’s favorite veggie dish.
- Dipping sauces: ranch dressing, tartar sauce or siracha mayonnaise.
- Leftover patties can be frozen by placing in an airtight container once cooled. Keep frozen up to 3 months, reheating in the oven or microwave once defrosted as desired.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!
Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
Bargara says
I’m 76 years old lady who has cooked at an early age, mom was not well.
Learning how to cook and bake gluten free dishes and desserts were daunting at first
I found your site informative and easily understood.
I can’t wait to try some of your recipes.
Crab cakes will be the one to try first.
Thank you,
Barbara
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Barbara! I am so happy to hear the site is easy for you to navigate. I love the crab cakes and the salmon cakes. I hope you enjoy them too!