Crispy Baked Salmon Nuggets (Salmon Katsu, 鮭フライ) are a great alternative to my Crispy Baked Chicken (aka Chicken Katsu) if you love seafood. My mom used to make this often when I was growing up, but she deep-fried it. To make it healthy and simpler to prepare, I created a baked version of my mom’s recipe. You won’t believe that these tasty salmon nuggets taste just like the deep-fried ones, with the crust staying crunchy and the salmon remaining moist. What a treat when dipped in creamy tartar sauce!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A great salmon recipe to introduce to kids, even picky eaters! It quickly becomes a family favorite. No mess in the kitchen! Perfect for freezing or packing into lunch boxes, so you might want to make extra.
Ingredients for Crispy Baked Salmon Nuggets
For the crust: panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, dried thyme Skinless salmon fillet — You can ask the fishmonger to skin the salmon fillet for you or it yourself Salt and freshly ground black pepper All purpose flour & an egg for breading the crust For dipping: tartar sauce (homemade or store-bought) or ketchup
Overview: Cooking Steps
Homemade Creamy Tartar Sauce
If you enjoy making your own condiment, I have a homemade tartar sauce recipe that hits all the right notes and is amazingly creamy. I used Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise and Japanese karashi mustard, which make a difference in flavor and texture.
What to Serve with Crispy Salmon Nuggets
Since this recipe is such a kid favorite, I’ve put together other dishes that pair well with the salmon nuggets and are also enjoyed by kids.
Carb: Japanese Corn Rice, Yakimeshi (Japanese Fried Rice), Soba Noodle Salad, Japanese Sweet Potato Rice, Steamed Rice topped with Homemade Furikake
Vegetables or Salads: Kani Salad, Apple Walnut Salad, Japanese Potato Salad, Simple Salad with Sesame Dressing, Blanched Broccoli, Roasted Kabocha Squash, Roasted Miso Garlic Cauliflower
Soups: Kabocha Soup, Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
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