Looking for an easy fish recipe the whole family will enjoy? These crispy little fishy salmon nuggets are a fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen — and they’ll love decorating their plates to turn dinner into an underwater scene.
There’s something about homemade fish fingers that kids adore: the dipping, the messy fingers, and the pride of eating something they helped make. This recipe swaps the usual white fish for salmon, giving you a tasty, slightly different take on a family favourite.
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Salmon Nuggets Recipe
Makes 10 nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (defrosted, if using frozen)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 1 garlic clove, crushed)
- 1 egg
- 4 tbsp + 2 tbsp plain flour
- 1 egg, whisked
- 100g fine breadcrumbs
- 2–3 tbsp rapeseed oil for frying
To decorate for each serving (per child):
- 90g peas & sweetcorn, cooked
- 2 long stem broccoli, steamed
- 4 chives
- Slices of spring onion and poppy seeds for eyes
Method
1. Remove the skin from the salmon, then place the fillets into a food processor along with the lemon juice, thyme leaves, garlic powder and egg. Whizz up until the mixture is really smooth.
2. Using a spoon, add in the flour and stir until the salmon starts to resemble a sticky dough.
3. To make into fish shapes, add 2 tablespoons of flour onto a plate, then rub your hands with flour to prevent the dough from sticking to them.
4. Take a tablespoon of the fish mixture and roll into a circle on the plate, completely coating it in flour, press down to flatten, then use your finger to shape the end into a fish tail. Repeat until the fish mixture is completely used up.
5. Use a pastry brush to coat the fish pieces with egg, then sprinkle over the breadcrumbs. Flip them over, coat the opposite side with egg and add breadcrumbs.
6. Heat the rapeseed oil in a pan and fry both sides of the nuggets until golden brown.
7. To make up your fishy plate, decorate the plate with broccoli, add the peas and sweetcorn to the bottom and a few chives. Place the fishy nuggets “in the water” then add a slice of spring onion and poppy seed for eyes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these salmon nuggets instead of frying them?
Yes — for a lighter option, place the breaded nuggets on a lined baking tray, drizzle lightly with oil, and bake in a hot oven until golden and cooked through, turning halfway. Baking times will vary depending on your oven, so check that the nuggets are fully cooked before serving.
Can I use frozen salmon fillets?
Yes, just make sure they’re fully defrosted and patted dry before you start, as excess moisture can make the mixture harder to shape.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can shape and coat the nuggets in advance and keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to fry or bake them. This is handy if you want to get ahead before a busy dinnertime.
How do I store leftovers?
Cooked nuggets can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated gently until piping hot all the way through before serving.
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Loved This Recipe?
If your kids enjoyed helping make (and decorate!) these salmon nuggets, browse our other easy family recipes for more fun, hands-on ideas the whole family can get involved in.
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Have you tried making these salmon nuggets? How did you get on? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
